CONCEIVED IN DARKNESS

Chapter 22

Mr Eneanya got home in the wee hours of the morning of the next day and he was relieved to see his wife gone, sad also. A little bit of mixed feelings. He had spent the night in Mr Akin's home. Their previous neighbor. He passed by their old house and remembered how his family was. Whole and united, this-what he saw right now wasn't what he remembered and he wondered how and when it got so bad, how he missed the signs again. He starred longingily at his burnt house for long minutes as if that would bring it back.

Mr Akin had always been a good friend of his but also a gossip. He had been the one to break the news to him, but still he was a good breed in total.

Stepping into his home now and it felt strange and empty. He wondered if he made the right decision. He thought of his family and their unknown whereabouts. He began his search later that day, went and searched the places his wife already had, so he was told, all to no avail. He went to the police to file a missing person's report and thereafter went to Pastor Unini. He wept uncontrollably like a hungry child at his feet and sought counsel in the man of God. They prayed together and he was assured that she was safe and the Lord was watching over her. His words meant a lot but didn't fill the void of fear and emptiness in him.

"Please bring her back to me safely" He prayed hopefully.

"she will come home soon" The pastor said. "I will be travelling in two weeks to Kaduna for a 4-day Holy Ghost conference. So I wont be around but till then, my office is always open."

"Thank you Pastor."

"how is your wife holding up? It can't be easy for her, its your job to step up and be the man and comfort her."

Mr Eneanya laughed because truth be told he had no idea where his wife was and telling the pastor that wasn't going to help so he just responded "God is in control, Pastor. "

"take heed my brother, and be prayerful."

Thank you pastor. I will take my leave now" They exchanged greetings in the family way. The pastor would say "from Glory to Glory' the congregation would respond

'that's where I'm going'

Again 'from glory to glory'

'that's my new name.'

'peace'

That night, Mr Eneanya interceded for his family, worshipped and praised God like never before. His favorite songs during the worship were

"Miracle worker, you are the miracle worker

come and do a miracle, a miracle today

come and do a miracle, a miracle today.

Chorus: Your name is Yahweh, your name is Yahweh

You are the miracle working God, your name is Yaweh"

And

"only you can do, what no man can do Jehovah(2ce)

only you are capable, only you reliable oh(2ce

only you are capable, only you dependable oh

only you can do what no man can do Jehovah."

Thereafter, he held his peace and took comfort that God was in control.

**************

Been sent out of their home was one thing Mrs. Eneanya never expected. She thought of where to go with the few luggage she had packed. She couldn't go the Rice's not after having spoken rudely to Claire and they would be sure to ask too many questions which she had no answer to neither could she go to her friend Mrs. Salami. She would blabbermouth about it in the office one day and ask many questions also. With a deep sigh, she resigned to a hotel, she had enough money so that wasn't going to be a problem.

She sank into the single chair in her hotel room and poured herself a glass of cold water, it didn't cool her nerves but it did quench her thirst. As she laid back on the couch, the memories started to rush back but she suppressed them. 'not tonight' she told herself and she slept off.

The next morning, she woke up with an unusual headache and set out for work, tried to act normal. It wasn't easy but she scaled through. The week passed by so quick and she was glad for it. She missed her family dearly and on Friday night, she wept and cried unto God for help.

"I am sorry Lord. Please forgive me and help me. I have disobeyed you for so long. Grace Lord, Grace. Please help me." Throughout the weekend she was on her knees praying to God asking for forgiveness, healing and help. The only times she stood was to ease herself. On Sunday evening she heard a word.

The journey to redemption isn't easy but you will have to trust me all the day.

Mrs. Kaito Eneanya wondered how the Holy spirit could still talk to her even more how she could hear Him. She wasn't pure, she had blamed God on many accounts, said many unholy things to him and bore grudges against her daughter, her only living daughter. She felt so amazed and so grateful. She was humbled as she wept and gave into an uncontrollable water works.

This God must be so good. She thought out loud

Yes, she has always been a Christian, always tried to live right with God, but now she was beginning to understand him better, realize all her mistakes and walk her way back to God with the help of her best friend who she had forsaken-The Holy Spirit. His warmth filled her, his whispers cooled her heart and his voice soothed her. It felt so nice to be in His presence. It was awe-inspiring.

She lay there by the corner of her bed just silent listening to the soothing voice and basking in his love. Mrs Eneanya said "If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?"

She felt so humbled that she hasn't been forsaken by God "Oh how he loved me so much, oh how you love me Lord. I am sorry" She said brokenly. "In whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy me on me Lord" by this time, her tears had filled her clothes.

Be still. She heard, it sounded like a sweet undertone and she was very quiet.

Is Kaito my dear daughter? are you a darling child?, I do earnestly remember you still: therefore, my heart yearneth for you ; I will surely have mercy upon you , saith Jehovah.

After that word, she felt a deep release like a heavy burden been lifted. She felt lighter like she was floating in the air and it felt so good. She was free, finally free of all the hurt and the pain and anger that had been buried so deep in her for so long, Now, she understood what it meant to let go. For the first time since her daughter's death, she felt the caul of bleakness lift. 

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Have an amazing weekend.