STORYTIME WITH MAMA AWERO (EPISODE 5)

FACE HIM

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I laid on the bed and looked at my best friend who has refused to talk to me since we arrived at his grandmother’s place. I closed my eyes and wished away the picture of the fight that brought about the malice. Yes, I said something I shouldn’t have said, but do I deserve this attitude and cold treatment?

The door opened and Aunty Joyce came in, she stood hands akimbo and faced me.
“So, you are still not settled abi? Okay Mama Awero is calling both of you”
“Hah, Aunty Joyce, did you report us to her?”
“Michael, did you leave me with any choice? Ehen? You wouldn’t talk to each other and you won’t tell me what exactly is wrong”
“He was at fault. He said I am stubborn, stingy and that….”
“I don’t want to hear anything from either of you, Mama is waiting for you in the living room”
The journey from our room to the living room was one of the longest journies of my life. I dreaded what Mama’s verdict would be.
We entered the living room and saw mama on her comfortable chair, her bible on her lap and her glasses half way between her eyes and her nose. We stood before her and she took her time before looking up to address us.

• 

“Okay, the two of you… Face each other and you must not look away for the next ten minutes”
I turned and faced Michael who in turn kept his face uptight as it had been for the past two days. We kept at it for few minutes and anytime either of us look away, Mama Agba will hit us with a stick.
The whole drama continued until we started looking away just to detract Mama from her bible reading. Before we knew it, we were laughing and rolling on the floor.
There and then, mama looked up and said,
“the next time either of you offends each other, take your time to face the person. Look at him or her until you see a reason to let go and forgive whether he or she says sorry.”

We sat still on the floor and realized the lesson Mama was teaching us. We listened with heads bowed down.
“Even if the person who offends you does not pay attention, look at him. Speak your mind and forgive the person. If you truly love someone, you forgive them whether they say sorry or not”
“Oya, on your feet… and continue looking at each other
We resumed our ‘lookery act’ till I had to hug my bosom friend and I apologized to him.

• 

Malice makes you run from love, and it breeds bitterness and hatred in your heart through anger. But when you choose to face (confront and deal with) the issue, reveal you were offended at the wrong action and forgive the person even if he or she is not remorseful. You dwell in perfect peace and grow in the God kind of love.

How do you handle hurts and settle dispute?
Let me know in the comment section.

I call you blessed.

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