What's Your Excuse?

I remember  when we were  growing  up, my neighbor's dad was blind yet there was no single Sunday that he and his Dad would not attend church service. They were always early though they attended  a church  in the neighborhood. Each Sunday, he would hold his Dad's  hand and walk him  to church.

Unfortunately, my neighbor aged twenty at the time, died of sickle cell  anemia. His family was shattered  and you can imagine  how his Dad felt it should  have  been  him instead of his son. His Dad still went to church  on Sundays only this time, he was being  escorted by his daughter; Korlekie who was younger. Mr. Ocansey died a few years later. A family  of four, was now reduced to a family  of two.

Korlekie Ocansey, had qualified  as  a nurse and found a husband right after school. She also died exactly  a year after her wedding: a day after their wedding  anniversary. She had died whilst giving birth. The baby also died four days later. So in six  years, three members  of the family  had died.  Leaving  only their Mum behind. I can't imagine  how Mrs. Ocansey   must have felt losing everything  she had ever labored for on earth, I guess.

Two years on, I would have thought  Mrs. Ocansey would stop going to church after death  had stolen  her joy away, but no. No Sunday passes without you seeing Mrs. Ocansey   going to church. She's still an active  Pentecost  member, attending services  on weekdays  and Sundays. She has not quit her job neither has she moved houses or grown cold or hostile towards anyone. Not that I have heard of. I wouldn't  know what goes on in her house though. Or even in her bedroom. Only God knows what needless pain she bears.

Now tell me, what excuse do you have to give up on whatever  it is you are doing? Have you had your joy stolen? Have you tried something  in particular for so long and never succeeded? Or did you begin a particular journey  thinking  it would end well only to have to return  to the starting point? Thinking  nothing is worth trying again? Or perhaps you are even scared to attempt that particular  thing again for the fear of being scarred?

Today, after hearing the story of Mrs. Ocansey, you have absolutely  no excuse in life again. It can only be over when the whistle is blown for you to signify your race here on the field of life is over. If not, my dear friend, you have no excuse. You can only rise up and try again!

This is a true life story but the names have been  changed.