The Teacher Who Changed Me

Growing up, I often felt bad and complained quite a lot about not having had a 'birthday party". Perhaps I had had one but I simply could not remember. What I did remember was hearing my family say to me, “don't worry; we will celebrate your birthday side by side Christmas,” being that I was a December baby. At first, I loved the idea of Jesus and I having a birthday party together. Not until I later realized that it was a big scam, because nobody ever remembered to as much as wish me a “happy birthday” on those days, neither did they get me any presents. Stay with me, I’m going somewhere with this.

We moved to America when I was about four years old or so. Upon getting there, my mom wasted no time scouting for a church for us to attend. My aunt T (one of my favorite Aunties) first took us to an African American church. But unfortunately, we barely understood what was going on in the church. Although we did like the music, it was a bit too boisterous and overwhelming.

The next Sunday, she took us to a smaller church, called 'The Church of the Nazarenes', Huntsville, Texas. We were the only black people in the church but it was so homely and everyone treated us with much kindness and love. That church became our church.

That was where I met my unforgettable Sunday school teacher; Mrs. Mosley. Mrs Mosley was a really nice lady and she had an amazing husband who supported her in everything. You all know how important that is.

The Pastor (Pastor Butler) of the church and his family were just as lovely.

Now, it was a few days to my 7th birthday. We were at the church trying to get started with Christmas preparations. Mrs. Moseley and my mom were having a conversation and I could hear them. She spoke to my mom about Pearl Harbor; a very important date and event in American history. She said it took place on the 7th of December annually. In response, my mom mentioned that the date coincided with my birthday. That was all Mrs. Mosely needed to hear.

Plans begun for my first official surprise birthday (the one I can remember).

Mrs. Mosely asked my mom to dress me up and get me to church on time.  There I was in my newly purchased navy blue polka dot dress, my little made-up face, and all the joy my heart could bear. You can never imagine my joy and excitement when we got to church and there was a huge cake with my name and lots of gifts from my church members. I got my first scrabble game, my Mr. T game and so many other nice gifts. I felt so loved and was extremely happy. The memory of that day will remain with me for as long as I live.

The church became more interesting for me from that day. We had our own unique “Halloween celebrations” since we could not trick or treat like other kids. We had sleepovers at church, movie nights, slumber parties at our youth pastor’s house, Christmas plays, summer camp and so much more. It was always absolutely fun.

There are so many other things I remember from that church. We got our first bikes from there, my mom had a baby shower organized by the church for her, we always had Dunkin' doughnuts if we got to church early (probably the reason why my big sister and I are still obsessed with doughnuts). We never felt out of place or unloved. Indeed, the church fast became one of my favorite places to be.

Few years down the line, my dad had finished school and we were packed and ready to move back to Nigeria.

Before we left, Mrs. Mosely (my Sunday school teacher) handed me one of the most precious gifts I would ever receive. It was a pink New Living Translation (NLT) children's Bible with pictures. It was my first bible. No one had ever given me such a treasured gift and I cherished it like life itself. I studied every page and part of the bible, read all the animated pictures, and just made it my best friend.  So began my love for the bible and friendship with God. Before this time though, my mom had always taught us about God and loved Him dearly herself. But having my own bible made everything so real.

People who meet me are often amazed at how well I know my bible and the nature of my relationship with God. The truth is, I owe a lot of that to my mom, a wonderful church that took interest in everyone and an amazing Sunday school teacher who took her time to show me the practical love of God. She showed me so much love. Today, I can hardly remember a single Bible lesson Mrs. Mosely taught me at Sunday school, neither can I remember any sermon Pastor Butler preached, but I do remember the way they loved us; my family and I. I remember how they made us feel.

The church should be that place where people go to and leave feeling better than they came, a place where people feel loved, a place where children and the children's arm of the church matter just as much as the adult church. If the church gets it right with the children, the struggle to get them straight as adults will be less tough.

People may find it hard to remember the words or beautiful sermons they hear, but they definitely do remember real love and how good they were made to feel around us and in the church.

I cannot end this without saying that teachers are special people and gifts from God. I look at Nailah and I often marvel at how her teachers have been able to get her to understand some of the most difficult concepts. I see kids at church doing some crazy choreography and I am awed at how their teachers got them to get it right.

I look at my mom and my older sister and I have new-found respect each time for them, for how well they helped raise me. I feel the same way about most of the teachers I have come across in my life.

Some teachers acquire their skills from their education while others simply learn on the go. In the span of our lives, we will come across different kinds of teachers, some will shape us for good and some may try to scar us. Today, I just want to focus on the teachers who shaped us for good, as well as express a high level of gratitude for all of them who took a little extra time to show real love to their students or help them find their true identity.

Jesus Himself was an amazing teacher. That was why he was referred to as Rabbi and in fact, the rich, young ruler called him “good teacher”.

To every “good teacher” out there, no matter your subject or skill level, I just want to say thank you.

To all the teachers at my children's school who have made learning a fun experience for them and created a haven for them, thank you and God bless you.

My most profound gratitude goes to Sunday school teachers worldwide who may never receive a gift on 'Teachers Appreciation Day' or any other day. May God bless you beyond measure.

Dear reader, has any teacher shaped your life for good? Please share your story with us if you have one. We would love to read and be encouraged.

NOT ABOUT YOU

On the 8th of May, 2018, my life took an unexpected twist. My 2-day old baby had been diagnosed with sepsis and malaria. It was so devastating having to leave her in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the pediatric hospital she was in.

 I cried the first night I had to leave her there, especially when I saw that she had to be put on oxygen. Just seeing the oxygen mask on that little baby had been heart wrenching. Knowing that I had to go back to my hospital and continue treatment, I kept wondering if they would feed her, cuddle her or attend to her if she is crying. My mind was so preoccupied with the what-ifs and what not's that I hardly had time to look around the room to see the other occupants as my heart was set for my baby alone.

A bucket and more of tears later as well as an almost sleepless night, I was back at the hospital to feed and stay with her. That was the first time I noticed the babies who would become my daughter's roommates for the next days to come.

What I saw cut my heart to bits; Babies who were barely bigger than a 60cl nestle bottle, and whose ribs I could see. I wept some more because in the midst of them, Anaiah was like a giant and yet, their mothers stood there encouraging, soothing and reminding me that my baby would be ok. I wondered how they could do that whiles their kids seemed to be in worst condition. These ladies were strong and resolute in their faith and stance with God; I just marveled at their strength, unshakable faith, and courage. In the shortest time, we became friends and somewhat like family being that we would be sharing the same space and we were all there for the same reason, our babies.

Anaiah was the only girl amidst three boys and the moms and staff showered her with so much love and affection. Beside her bed, was a little boy whom we referred to as the king of the jungle (Baby Lion) because he was way bigger than all the other babies including Anaiah or ‘Baby Mohammed’ as she was referred to at the hospital.  While the other two boys were premature babies born between 21-24 weeks, he was faced with a severe case of Jaundice. His Jaundice level was so high that no matter the phototherapy very little progress was being made.

One day, his mom saw me a bit worried over Anaiah because her temperature kept fluctuating and I was becoming super anxious as to when we would be discharged. Every time I went there thinking it would be that day, they would later tell me it won't be possible because her temperature was spiking again and she needed to be free of fever for 24 hours before we could be allowed to go home with her.  On that particular day, baby Lion's mom took note of me and came to share encouraging words with me as she often did. She then shared with me how the Doctors had told her that her son needed a drug that cost about N75, 000.00 that would help bring down his Jaundice level by at least half and allow the phototherapy work for him. She and the Husband didn't have that amount of money as he had just been laid off a job and she only did petty trading which didn't bring in much. She told me that despite all this, she was not moved and I should never allow the Devil to speak negative words in my heart concerning my children. I should always believe good about them and that God will never allow harm to come their way.

I was encouraged and began to cast down every negative imagination that the enemy brought my way, but I was sad about her situation. Sad because my husband and I had gone over budgeted hospital bills and we could not do much to help her. It was more annoying because the amount she needed was not something out of the ordinary, but yet our hands were tied.

My older sister and mum came to stay with me at the hospital as they often did and I poured out my heart to them concerning the N75, 000.00. I was so sad that the life and health of a child hung on money that we so often use to do less important stuff. For some, that money is just for a shoe, a piece of lace, a watch or something like that yet; a child's life lay on the line for the lack of it. My sister was sad because she also was financially down at that moment, but told me not to worry; she would find a way to help. I believed her because she always came through for me whenever I was worried about stuff like that.

We were back at our usual base the next day and my sister sent me a text stating that she had shared the issue with some of her colleagues and they had all pitched in to help buy the drug. I was so excited and happy. When she arrived in the evening after work, she gave me the money which I transferred to the mom. She was overwhelmed and overcome with joy. They purchased the drug and began to administer it instantly.

On Saturday evening, she informed me that the boy was responding to treatment well and they would be discharged on Sunday. I envied her a little as Anaiah's return home was still uncertain, but I was happy that he was well. I just wished we would be going home together as well.

Sunday had come and we were back at our usual spot to see the kids and say our goodbyes with the Lion's mom when out of nowhere, the doctor on call comes out and says  'in a few hours, you can take Baby Mohammed home’. She has been fever-free for 24 hours and we just need to administer her last dose of antibiotics'.  God of mercy, I was not sure I was not hearing things at that point. I looked at my husband to see if I got the information right and from the smile on his face, I knew I heard well and God had answered us.

My sister and I discussed the matter and we concluded that God allowed us to go home with 'Baby Mohammed' because her work there was done. I believe that the only reason she was sent to that clinic was for us to meet the 'Lion’s' mother because God was aware of their need and knew the solution was with us. God knew no harm would come to Anaiah but he needed her to fall ill, so we could go to that particular hospital.

Anaiah's stay at the hospital had many lessons in it for me, but this particular episode, I learned three things:

v It reminded me that at some point in our lives, God may send people into our lives or send us into the lives of people to whom we may never blessed or helped in any way, nor have been blessed by to simply render help and support to them in their time of need just like Simon of Cyrene who seemed to be at the right place at the wrong time. Some believe he was forced to carry the cross while to others, he did out of sympathy. Whatever the case, he was there at the right time to be of help to Jesus Christ. The bible never speaks of anything or anytime Jesus had helped Simon of his family, but at the time Jesus needed help the most, God sent Simon there (Mat 27:32 NLT).  In like manner, nothing would have taken me and my family to the hospital to meet 'the baby Lion' and his mom except Anaiah falling ill.

v Joseph told his brothers 'God put me in this position so I could save the lives of many people' (Gen 50:20b) Sometimes, God allows things to happen in our lives simply for the sake of others. It is not always about you. But know that when he allows you to go through some things, he already knows it won't destroy you and so he allows it so you can be a blessing to others. So remember this, not everything that happens to you is all about you. Get your eyes off yourself sometimes and simply seek to see the right lesson in all things and circumstances.

v Avail yourself to be used by God and always trust Him for He works all things for our good and the good of others!!

Lest I forget, I chatted with baby Lion’s mom sometime this year and she even sent me his pictures. He is doing brilliantly. For all who helped make it happen, Thank you and God bless you.

Hope you make something good happen for someone this year!