He Will Bless The Work of My Hands

After I left my dad at Uromi, Nigeria, I relocated to Benin City and lived with my cousins in a 3-bedroom flat apartment. They were all into internet fraud alongside their friends. They will come to me at times and discuss the benefits they derive from the illicit act and wonder why I would not join them despite being proficient in the use of computers.

I always knew the dealing was illegal as they will alter their voices when a call was being received and celebrate when an unsuspecting victim credits their fraudulent accounts. I knew I was living with the wrong crowd but at the time I had no choice because I needed a roof over my head.

I woke up one morning and as usual I will walk around the house and salute everyone. As I walked by haven saluted the bulk of them situated in the living room, I heard one of my cousins’ friends call my name; he asked me to come pray for them that they got lots of expectations as quite a lot of unsuspecting victims had promised to pay them on that day. I could not understand the guts and the level of misinformation they had so I answered in anger. I asked him if he thinks he can call the name of my God in the devilish business they undertake and if he thinks it is morally right for anyone to be engaging in that dealing in the first place.

They all except the eldest got mad at me and uttered words I never considered a concern before then. One of them asked me if the food they cook in the house out of which I eat daily were not all proceeded out of the illicit act I criticize. Then they made it clear that they will see how I will manage to get by when they keep their illicit monies to themselves and get food only from eateries in measures that only them can consume.

I went into my room and stayed in one corner and cried to God. Indeed, there was truth in what they said, I am a thief too since I was comfortably feeding from the proceed of the theft. I asked God why it was difficult for Him to reach me with help. I am willing and able to work but I practically could not find any place to work. I remember telling God that He said he will bless the work of my hands, but when there is no work, what then will he bless.

It remained quite a difficult period for me as I did not have money to feed or cater for myself. Another cousin in the same line of business joined us in the same building at the same period, this guy was concerned and will ask me if I have had anything to eat and will sometime get an extra plate when he returns from an eating outing.

One evening, a lot of pain welled up inside my heart and I prayed to God in songs and tongues and slept. That night I received a call at late hours about 11pm. It was a course mate asking me if I will be interested in a job. I was quick to answer, and he gave me details and said it was urgent and that if I agree he will pass my phone number to my prospective employer. He reached me again shortly after and said the employer wanted me to meet him very early the next morning at about 4:30 am.

This is a miracle, I only just prayed about the situation before I slept and now, I was to travel to site early the next day. A concern came up so I voiced it to my friend that called, I will not have a taxi to reach the pickup point that early. He soon responded that the employer has agreed to drive down to the closest bus stop to my place.

When it was about 30 minutes to the time, I set out. The door leading out had an issue with the lock so when outside, we pad the side with paper and drag to close. This was so because I could not wake them up to go lock the door from inside since they don’t sleep on time and I don’t like waking people up.

So, I left and as arranged, I met my prospective employer, and we were on our way to the location. It was a few hours’ drive from Benin City where I reside and we were able to go around the work description, the site and accommodation already provided and furnished. I was deeply appreciative to God as we travelled back.

On our way back, I had a call from a cousin’s girlfriend asking me not to come home and that there was an incident with the police and that my cousins have vowed to hurt me when I return. I was not sure what the issue was, but I sensed it must be that door, either they were robbed or something associated must have happened, I guess.

Since my conscience was clear, I didn’t mind what she said. I walked straight back home after I dropped off from the vehicle. As I entered the house, I could see all their eyes following me as I moved in, then one of my cousins said, “Brown you get God O”, I could not tell what must have happened, so I went to the lady’s house who called me.

She told me policemen entered the flat very early in the morning and picked everyone they found in the house alongside their phones, laptops and money. As is common with the operations of such police teams, they reach bail amounts with each individual which amounted to millions of naira at the time and had them released. Once they settled that the policemen entered unhindered through that door I left through, I must have planned it with them, and I must be severely dealt with they thought.

She further confirmed that shortly after she called me to tell me about the incident, something else happened. A passerby saw someone living close to us discussing with one of the policemen in a corner and she was able to identify the said policeman. She further saw money exchanged, and she confirmed it must be proceeds of the invasion.

She ran to my house and informed my cousins and with the anger with which they were waiting for me, they stormed the neighbor’s house and almost burned it down with the attendant beating of the individual until he confessed to them that he was responsible. It was minutes after they got back inside from their outburst that I entered. No wonder they looked in awe and could only wonder how protected the righteous is in the cover of the Lord.

Faithful is God, he is my protection and my guide.