Joyce

On a Sabbath day

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“At this juncture, I have to go back home before mum throws my meal away,” Joyce said.

“I know you like food a lot,” Sandra said.

“As if she doesn’t like food. I am going back oo,” Joyce said in smiles.

“Okay babe, thanks for the company and gist,” Sandra said.

“I am not the chucklesome type. I always told you I love your sense of humor,” Joyce said.

“(Smiles) Keep the exaggerations to yourself. You can go home now before mum gives your food to the bull dogs,” Sandra said.

“Goodbye,” Joyce said with bade and left for home.

“Mum, I am back,” Joyce announced.

“God saved you, I almost gave your meal to the dogs,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“(Laughs sarcastically) Mum can’t do that to her treasure,” Joyce said.

“Don’t mind my jokes. My toothless mouth only allowed me to c***k that cheap joke,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Toothless mouth? God forbid,” Joyce said.

“Age is counting on me. Well, your lion's share of the meal is inside the pot. Go in and get it,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I don’t consume lion's share mum. Stop all these jokes of yours,” Joyce said and exited to get her food.

    Soon, Joyce came out with a bowl of rice and plantains. She holds the bowl as if it was going to fall off her hands.

“Mum, I didn’t even know you fried plantains to complement this meal,” Joyce said.

“It is not as if we have raw plantains in abundance. I only got those plantains for my queen in order to make one of her delicacies,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Oh, thank you mum. I don’t have disdain for plantains besides. Rice and fried plantains are parts of my favorites,” Joyce said.

“I have known from outset,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

    Joyce ate her meal as mother and child continued in their gist.

    However, the next morning, which was a Sunday, Joyce and her mum headed to the church to celebrate Sabbath.

“It’s a privilege to be standing on this exalted altar today to take you through the word of God. I will be teaching on hard times. Hard times are trying time. During this time, it is always as if God does not exist. My archaic God is alive. Hard times are to test your faith. Unfortunately, many Christians are eroded in hard times. I pray we shall not be eroded in Jesus’ name,” Pastor Kelvin said.

“Amen!!!” the congregation chorused.

“During hard times you learn to be tolerant and enduring. God doesn’t sleep or slumber. Born again Christians must expect trying times, they must expect tribulations. I remember the testimony of one of our sister in faith. She said there was one point in her life when she prayed for God for more customers, because she has a shop. However, it was as if God was sleeping. Instead of her to have more customers, the ones she has were not abiding. To cut the long story short, this sister acceded to praying for church growth, instead of bringing her personal supplications to God. She became a steward and miraculously God surprised her in her occupation. Your own case is not different. Seek God’s guides and guards and expect your abiding miracles,” Pastor Kelvin preached.

    Soon, the sermon was over and the choristers were called upon to take the congregations in acceptable praises in the course of administering anointing oil.

“You are good and your mercy is forever. Hallelujah.

I will celebrate my God.

Do you know there is another fellowship in heaven?

You and I will praise the Lord.

We have come to say thank you lord” the choristers ministered.

    However, the service was ended with a benediction and everyone trooped out of the church.

    Mrs. Evelyn and Joyce were back from church.

“Wow! Today’s service was extremely remarkable,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Yes ma. It’s a red letter day. I was captivated in the pastor’s sermon,” Joyce said.

“You are right Dr. Today’s sermon is not different from words of enjoinments,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I pray God give us the grace to forebear always,” Joyce said.

“Amen. Joyce, go and get fire woods so that we can cook something for lunch,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Okay mum,” Joyce said and left the room

    In no time, Joyce returned with fire woods. Mother and child started the cooking amidst banters.

“Mum, we are starting our West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) very soon,” Joyce said.

“Wow! I have forgotten you want to write an external examination after series of postponements. How are you preparing?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I am trying mum. Nigeria is known for procrastinations. The time table has been rolled out, but we haven’t gotten the hardcopy in our school. However, I checked the time table on Google search through one of my friend’s Android phone. We are starting with Physics practical,” Joyce said.

“That is good Dr. Let’s hope the time table get to your school soon,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I hope so mum. Mum, you are not talking about the Android phone I asked you to purchase for me hitherto,” Joyce said.

“Mmm…, I have not forget. I need money to get you an Android phone. Just pray God provide for me,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“God will provide mum. Thank you for all you do,” Joyce said.

“Thank God and not the mortal me,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“You are trying mum. Do you believe some of my classmates were not able to register for WASSCE?” Joyce said.

“You don’t mean it,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I am serious mum. Some of my classmates couldn’t do the online registrations,” Joyce said.

“What a pity. What are the reasons behind this?” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Well, mum, Some embezzled the money their parents gave them to register for the examination. A friend of my, Kenny couldn’t register for the examination because there was no money on ground. I am very sorry for the poor boy though. He said he would opt in for next year’s examination,” Joyce said.

“It’s well. I am deeply sorry for these classmates in question,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I am sorry for them too. Despite the uneasiness, you were still able to register me for the examination. You are one in a million and I owe you a lot. I pray nothing snatch you away from me,” Joyce said.

“Amen. You deserve to be treated like a queen,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“I am blushing already,” Joyce said with smiles.

“I want you to buckle up for the examination. I know the Lord I serve will grant you wins in grand styles,” Mrs. Evelyn said as she put the spices into the beans she was preparing.

“Okay mum,” Joyce said.

“Now, go indoors and bring out the used plates for washing,” Mrs. Evelyn said.

“Alright mum,” Joyce said as she walked indoors.

    Soon, Joyce came out with some used plates and cups. She washed the objects simultaneously.

“After you are through with the washing of the plates and cups you can come to the living room for your own portion of the meal,” Mrs. Evelyn said as was heading to the sitting room with a hot pot in her hands.

“Okay mum. I won’t hesitate,” Joyce said.

(Joyce made the washing very snappy)