Reflections

Pardon me but I seem to do a lot of thinking. Reflection is a daily thing for me, try it and you will be amazed. Today's post consists of two unconnected issues but they really got me thinking. Two days ago, I came across a post on Linda Ikeji's blog about a church in Enugu that asked its unmarried ladies to wear wedding dresses to church if they wanted to get married this year. The next Sunday young ladies stormed the church in their wedding dresses, they were given special seats and asked to sow seeds (every Nigerian knows what seed sowing entails). There were pictures to prove it was true, but I still had my doubts.

I checked the date to be sure it wasn't April 1st, it definitely wasn't. It was the most ridiculous thing I've come across in recent times. This is no joke and I'm not making fun of anyone but, the society has pushed ladies to a point that they believe marriage means the world to them. Being unmarried means being incomplete and many ladies will do anything just to be a Mrs. What of the Pastor who subjected them to such ridicule (because that is what it is to me)? He took advantage of their desperation and even made money from it. I wish I could talk to the ladies; if you can go to that extent to get hitched, why not pray fervently in the confines of your room. I know God is still in the business of answering prayers. Ladies also need to love themselves, get busy and useful and get over the 'I must get married' syndrome. Let things happen naturally and at their own time, that way we can handle whatever it comes with, rather than rushing in and rushing out (it's very common these days). Why are the women always at the receiving end of such stories? Does it mean the men are not looking for wives?

I really pray they get what they want, the process not withstanding, Amen. This morning also I got a very sad news that three lecturers of Theatre and Performing Arts Department, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria lost their lives in a fatal road accident yesterday. I wished it away hoping it was some sort of expensive joke, but no it was true. When I asked further, it was confirmed that they were seven in the bus, and while 3 died on d spot, one was still in coma and the others at the hospital receiving treatment.

Death is truly an inevitable aftermath. Their accident saddened me so much because I know two of the lecturers, one of the dead and the one in coma. And they were all from the same department. This is a huge loss to their University, their department, their different families and all who knew them. While we pray for the repose of the dead, we also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. It is also a time for reflection because we all must die. We do not know when, where or how, we only hope to be ready and at peace with God and man when that happens.

A friend told me that it is only at death that people say, "with total submission to the will of God". What of all the days of our lives he asked? When we die, the most people can do for us is, to write or say "Rest in Peace". The question is, will you truly be resting in peace? This is the chance to prepare ourselves for eternal peace, because after everything, that is the only thing that will matter.

May the souls of the departed truly rest in peace.

One Love,

Lae'.