“Love your parents and treat them with loving care. For you will only know their value when you see their empty chair.” – Unknown
Today, I would love to bless the name of God for the parents he blessed me with. My father, Sylvester Egbas who went to be with the Lord three years ago now, wasn’t a perfect man, but he loved his children and loved his people. His intellect was way ahead of his time. My father lived his life for others to be happy.
Many took advantage of him, but he didn’t mind. Even within his immediate family, he suffered affliction and derision. But he kept loving. My father didn’t die naturally. He was poisoned by those he loved and stood by. He may be gone, but in my heart and through the works of my hands and the thoughts of my heart he remains alive.
My beautiful and wonderful mother, oh!
The woman who made every sacrifice she could make to see me alive and marching forward. The only one who celebrates and prays for me whether I succeed or fail. The one who taught me to love people whether they bless me or curse me or plot evil against me whilst feasting at my dinner table.
The one who woke me up early on my 19th birthday at 4am and asked me to follow her to the only expressway that runs through my village and asked me to kneel by the roadside and invoked the blessings of heaven over me saying in my local dialect – “Ovat, as this road is, so shall your journey through life be. It will be smooth in some places, it would be rough in some places.
The road would be blocked in some places, and you will have to enter the bush to come out on the other side of the road and continue your journey on the other side of the good road. Your life would be like this road. It shall continue to take you forward. Your life would be like this road- others will get to where they are going because of this road. I have blessed this road. It will not do anything untoward to you or your children’s children.
This road would take you to the world, and bring the world to you. The world will know you and know where you come from because of this road. I bore you in my womb for 9 months. And when God saw you were ready, my water broke and you arrived as my first child. I bless you all your days.
Whether I am alive or dead, this road would always lead you to God. Whether I am alive or dead, where God is, you shall always find me. When you find God, you shall find peace. Never be afraid. Just keep going forward. Don’t look back.“
My mother is the only living one of my parents. I shall celebrate her all my days.
Today, I raise my hands up to heaven and praise God for my parents. If yours are alive, do something for them…call them and bless them.
Same applies to all who have played role of parents in your life. God bless Bishop Ofonmbuk Archibong Ays Araba Akoni Steve Akoni Mary Ita Ephraim Toyin Akinosho Doris Udoisa Evaristus udoisa innocent Hon Innocent Ovat Elder Sunday Ovat Adia Ovat Adonis Oden
