JEMIMA

Chapter 48

My heart melted at her words. I sunk deeper into her embrace. I will tell her everything, how I feel and how life had been so unfair to me.

I wanted a friend, and Toni was the one.

"Everything has gone down, Toni", I sobbed. " Every single thing".

I watched her eyes and expression and how it remained reassuring and loving.

"My Life is a mess. My family is a mess. Everything has gone down, gone bad!"

"No, Jemima. Your life is not a mess because God doesn't create a mess. Your life can not crumble because God is holding you dearly. And your life can't go bad because everything God created is good!"

"Don't let the devil trick you into living based on all the arrows and darts he throws at you. You are wonderfully made and that is true, that is valid. But you know all the devil does is to lie right? Don't believe the lies he is telling you".

" Toni. But really, everything is good bad!" I said in a desperate tone.

"Talk to me", with that Toni led me to the bed and we sat by the edge. She held my hand tightly and smiled at me.

My heartfelt light and instead of the burden I always had when thinking of all that had happened. There was this peace inside of me, a reassurance that things would soon be right.

" Dad cheated on mom. Dad isn't remorseful. Mom is getting a divorce. And I'm just confused!" I said.

"Come here!" Toni said pulling me into a hug. I must have dozed off in that position till I felt her tap me slightly at the back.

"Thanks for that", I said. All she did was smile back.

" Jemima. Just about some months ago. Everything went 100times bad. I didn't see a need to live in this world. I was so weak and broken by pain that I was even too weak to take my own life. My whole life had been a constant process of heartbreaks and rejection. I couldn't see any single light in the darkness of my life. No single hope of tomorrow.

"Everything was going wrong Jemima. I didn't have a life anymore. All I wanted was to run from one pain but I always landed at another. I was at my lowest. But that was where he found me. He found me dirty and rejected. Unworthy of any love on earth. He found me wallowing in the pain of the kind of life I found myself.

" Although he deserved better he desired to love me. He desired to bring up my broken pieces and carve out the most beautiful art ever.

"Jemima. I met Jesus.

The Jesus you always talk about. The Jesus you are so in love with. The Jesus you were so into. So much I didn't understand it. He found me. He loved me and he mended me".

At this point. But of us could not hold back the tears. It was a heavenly moment one I could never forget even after a lifetime. I could his presence heavy in our midst. I could feel his love wrap me up and become so real to me. That even as I cried, I smiled.

" Jemima. That same Jesus could mend the life of a pregnant teenager. That Jesus that can give smile to an abused teenager. That Jesus who could bring meaning and beauty into my life. He hasn't retired. And he will mend you. Your family. He will bring you back together again. And you'll look up to him again, with more faith than ever!"

"Yes. I will!" I screamed. "Jesus can mend my family. He can", I exclaimed with so much joy in my heart like never before.

Nurse Temi walked into the room. With a beautiful smile. She walked up to us and hugged us.

" Yes. He can".

•••••••••

Hadassah knocked on the door, her mind still wondering why Derin left her home to live in a hotel. She said a silent prayer as she heard footsteps from inside. The door opened slightly and Derin peeped to see who it was. Hadassah smiled at her while Derin opened the door wide open, gesturing her in.

"Mummy Jemima. It's nice to see you again. How are you doing?",  Hadassah said in a lively tone? Derin smiled at her while she walked into the room in her wine bathrobe and a black satin bonnet.

" I'm fine", Derin said. "Please sit down".

Hadassah sat on the only chair in the room. A two-seater couch. While Derin sat just beside her.

" How is everyone at home", Derin asked.

"Everyone is fine ma".

" Thank God", Derin said in a low tone. While her head dropped.

"It's okay ma. It's okay to be hurt, all that matters is that you heal from your hurt", Hadassah said.

Derin sniveled and tried to force back the tears that were already forming.

" My husband committed adultery. He had an affair with another woman", Derin said.

Hadassah sighed. She had indeed guessed right. Her hands went up Derin's shoulders. She stroked her shoulders gently.

"It's okay", she muttered.

Derin nodded and continued.

" She's pregnant. And I've not seen my husband in weeks. I guess he is with her".

"Pregnant!" Hadassah exclaimed. Yeah, she didn't see the coming.

"Yes. My husband hasn't shown any remorse. He said he loves her. I don't know what came over Dele Hadassah. I try my best to satisfy him but he still does this to me?"

Hadassah remained silently. Allowing her to let go of everything she had locked inside.

"How can he love her! How can he be with her! How can he leave his family to be with someone that has nothing but shame and ridicule to offer him. And it's not only him that will end up bearing the shame. But every other person in our family and even the church of God! I don't understand why he chooses to do this to us". Derin said. Hadassah pulled her into a hug and hugged her tightly.

" You can still forgive him Derin. We all can still forgive him. We can imitate our God and give him a second chance", Hadassah said.

After a few minutes of silence. Derin spoke up.

"I have. After you spoke to me that day. Jesus met with me",

" Really?"

"Yes. And I have forgiven him. Even when he hasn't asked for forgiveness. I just want him to come back to me. I want to know where my love is. Where my Oladele is. I just want him to come back to his senses and to know that that woman is not worth giving his whole family for! His whole assignment for!". Derin said.

" Ahahn mommy! You of all people should know that you can't just which it all to happen that way. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and power. You of all people should know that the main target of the devil is not the person, but the assignment in his hands".

"You and Pastor Dele have blessed so many lives. Can't you see that the devil is trying to attack yours?" Hadassah said. "Wipe off your tears Mummy. This is not a time to cry. But a time to war!"