RuachPortal

Behind the Smiles
Fred had many friends. If there were ever an award for the most friendly person on earth, Fred would have won it hands down.

He had a gift; he could connect with people he just met in seconds, as if he had known them for years.

He was also incredibly kindhearted, always willing to go the extra mile to make sure his friends were doing well.

Even if it meant sacrificing his own comfort, Fred never hesitated to help. His wife often complained about it.

"Babe, all these people you're helping... can they do the same for you?"

"My darling," he would smile, "don’t worry about them. They’re my friends. I’m sure they’d also be willing to help if I ever needed it. But God will supply all our needs, so you don’t have to worry."

"Okay o, Amen," she would reply,
unconvinced.

One year later, Fred fell seriously ill. He and his wife, Amanda, spent a fortune running tests before the doctors could even figure out what was wrong.

And then came the treatment bills overwhelming and relentless.

They struggled. Amanda tried reaching out for help, and eventually, through the support of a few family members, she managed to raise enough money for his treatment. Fred slowly recovered.

But through it all, not a single one of his many friends called or visited.

They didn’t even know he was sick because none of them ever called unless they needed something.

In fact, while Fred lay in the hospital, one of his so-called friends had sent a message asking for financial help without so much as asking how he was doing.

When Fred didn’t reply after three days, the same friend sent another message, this time filled with curses.

Weeks after his recovery, Fred and Amanda attended a family event. They took a lovely picture together, and Fred posted it on his WhatsApp status with the caption:
"Me and the wife the Lord blessed me with 😘"

Within seconds, his phone started buzzing with notifications.

"Guy how far na! See as you dey shine..." — Layo

"Big man! You don cash out abi? Send something to your boy na." — Ebuka

"Oga mi! You don travel go obodo oyibo(abroad)? I dey wait for my dollars o." — Folu

"Guyyyy! I swear, if I come this world again, I go beg God for your skin. See freshness na... Share your secret!" — Dolapo

Messages poured in from every corner.

Fred paused.

He sat still for a long time, holding his phone but not replying. Slowly, Amanda’s words echoed in his mind; words he had brushed aside for years.

He realized, in that moment, that he hadn’t been surrounded by friends at all. What he had were parasites; people who perched around his life, taking without giving, and draining him in the name of friendship.

He thought about the hospital days. The silence. The absence. The betrayal.

He had given his time, money, love, value and received almost nothing in return. Not even a check-in message.

Fred knew, finally, that it was time to be intentional about the people he allowed into his life. He had learned, the hard way, that kindness without boundaries only attracts those who want to take advantage.

And from that day forward, he made a quiet promise to himself:

Never again would he confuse attachment for loyalty, or presence for friendship.
****************
Dear reader,
Be intentional about the people you have in your space and your circle.

Don't surround yourself with people who won't add value to you not value in momentary terms, but value in virtue, in genuine friendship and care, friends who will look out for you and not just at your pocket.

While it's a good to be kindhearted, don't lose yourself in trying to please others.

Your global writer,
Chidochiri.

Question for the day;
If you were Fred's wife, how would you have replied the text message that came when her husband was very sick?

Olivia and her mum walked towards the car after picking up a few things from the mall. Olivia had seen a beautiful dress at the mall and wanted it badly. She pleaded with her mum to get it, but her mum refused.

"This gown is really pretty, Olivia, but I don't want it for you," her mum said. "Why? My graduation is in two weeks, and I have nothing new to wear," Olivia protested. "Don't worry about it, darling; you'll get something to wear," her mum replied.

"But this is the best I've seen so far; what could possibly be finer than this one?" Olivia argued.
"Olivia, let's go already," her mum said, walking towards the door of the mall. "But mum...," Olivia stood, obviously unhappy. "I said let's go," her mum repeated without looking back.

They both walked out of the mall to the car with the items they had bought. Olivia sulked all the way home. Everyone at home noticed she was sad, unlike the cheerful Olivia they knew.

The next week at school, her classmates kept talking about the outfits their parents had gotten them for their valedictory service. "Guys, my dress is ready; my mum got me one of those expensive collections from Veekee James. It's a fully beaded gown; you won't believe it until you see it, but you'll definitely love it," Tolani said with an air of pride.

"Well, mine wasn't as expensive as Veekee's collections, but I got something really beautiful; you guys have to see it," Goodness said. Everybody kept talking about shoes and clothes, and Olivia was lost in thought.

"Olivia, you're not saying anything; what about your dress?" Simi cut into Olivia's thoughts after noticing how quiet she was. "You guys will have to excuse me," she said, walking out of class.

She headed straight for the restroom to let out the tears that had gathered in her eyes. "God, this is not fair; see all my classmates; everyone is getting set for graduation; why am I the only one whose parents don't seem to care, especially at this time? It's not fair; it's really not fair."

School was just so boring the whole day. She didn't participate in the social activities lined up for the valedictory service. She just told them she wasn't feeling well. After school, she left immediately without waiting for any of her friends she used to walk with.

She got home quite early, and no one was home. She went into her room to force herself to sleep, perhaps she would forget her sorrows.

It was few days until her graduation. She had loosened up, stopped worrying about new clothes, dusted an old dress she had which was fair enough to wear, washed, ironed, and hung it neatly, and had polished her shoes ahead.

She woke up on the graduation morning, rolled on her bed to stretch a bit before standing up. She hit something hard; "Ouch, what's that on my bed?" she asked, opening her eyes. It was a box, and it was new. She hastily opened it and found some new shoes; they were the most beautiful her eyes had seen.

And at the foot of her bed was a beautiful gown. On it was a note:

"What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Mt 7:9-11).
I love you, darling; happy graduation.

From your heavenly Father (written by mum)."

Olivia was overwhelmed; she had wanted the gown she saw at the mall at all costs, yet the one her mum bought was way more beautiful. It was later she found that her mum had some slight issues with business that week, which was why she couldn't afford that dress at the time and she didn't also want to say it; she was praying to get something better than what was at the mall, and the Lord provided.

Olivia just knelt down on the floor and poured out her heart to God in thanksgiving, then ran to her parents' room and gave them the biggest hug.

********************
Dearly beloved,
What God wants to give you is better than what you want for yourself, it may just not come when you want it but God doesn't slack on his promises, the answer will definitely come and it will be better than what you expected.
Shalom!

Question for the day;
Share with me in the comments what you learned.

Welcome to your year of supernatural abundance.
In this year when men are cast down, then thou shalt say, there is lifting up. Job 22:29
Genesis‬ ‭26:12‬ ‭Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
In this year where people say we can't, you shall say I can do all things through Christ that strengthen me. Hallelujah!!

In this year where your natural cannot produce result, the super from above will join your natural to produce supernatural success.

Happy New year family
Abel Akpan