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THE FATHER'S CONSENT
by Tesh Njokanma From the moment Amanda set her eyes on Stephen, she was convinced he was the person for her. He seemed to have everything she had ever wanted in a man. Amanda had always been a great lover of music and so was usually very enthusiastic about praise and worship. She loved attending Gospel music concerts and praise nights. On one of such nights, during a Christmas concert, Amanda was captivated by this handsome looking man who sang with such a beautiful voice. As this man played the keyboard and sang a solo rendition of Silent Night, there was an awesome awareness of the presence of God. Through this inspiring and beautiful voice, God was moving round the auditorium and touching lives. For Amanda, it was like sitting in heaven and listening to an angel worship God. At the end of the concert, Amanda went home blessed and refreshed, and of course, with wonderful memories of that beautiful voice. A week later, when Amanda accidentally bumped into Stephen, the owner of that beautiful voice, she wasn't sure whether to call it a twist of fate, sheer luck, or divine connection. Whatever it was, standing there talking to Stephen felt good. So good she could feel the excitement in her tummy. Before anyone knew what was happening, a close relationship had developed between them. The months that followed were the most exciting and romantic for Amanda. Every moment spent with Stephen left her breathless. He had this way with words that made her feel so special. When Stephen popped the big question, Amanda didn't give it a second's thought. 'Yes, I will marry you', she answered excitedly. As far as she was concerned, Stephen was God sent. God had granted her heart's desire. At once, they started making plans for the big day. Amanda could hardly wait for the day she would become Mrs. Amanda Stephen-Daniels. Yes, she had already rehearsed how she would answer a compound name made up of his first name and surname. Everything seemed to be going perfectly well until the night of the phone call. The phone call that brought everything to an end. When Amanda saw Stephen's name as an incoming call and heard the special ring tone she had given him, she gladly answered the call. But her joy was crushed as Stephen began to say things she didn't understand. What was he talking about? What did he mean he didn't have peace about the relationship? They were perfect for each other; they had so many things in common. How could he say he had prayed and had a conviction in his spirit that this wasn't God's will for his life? What conviction? As Amanda listened to Stephen, she couldn't fight back the tears that slowly rolled down her cheeks. She was shocked, dumbfounded and confused. She just muttered okay and sadly dropped the phone. To say she was devastated was an understatement. How could she go on without Stephen? As she struggled through the pain and disappointment of a heart break, one day, during her time of prayer, she heard a voice gently ask, "Don't you care about your Father's consent?" While she was still trying to figure out where the voice had come from, the gentle voice went on to explain, "You sought your earthly parent's consent, you sought the consent of your friends, you sought your pastor's consent, but you never once sought my consent. Don't you care about your Father's consent?" After days of meditating, Amanda got the message loud and clear. She understood what God was saying to her. She had never for once bothered to ask God if Stephen was part of His plan for her life. She had assumed that because they got along so well, had so much in common, and there were sparks in the air whenever they were together (or so she thought), God must have had a hand in their relationship. But if for just one day Amanda had bothered to wait before the Lord and ask Him if Stephen was part of His will for her life, she would have known that God wasn't in the relationship. Although Stephen was really good looking and possessed the qualities she wanted in a man, she had always felt there was something missing. Something she couldn't put her finger on. Now she knew what it was. Stephen didn't have her Father's consent. Amanda's broken relationship with Stephen may not bring back pleasant memories, but at least it had taught her an important lesson of life. It had taught her that when it comes to the choice of a life partner, or any other decision she has to make, it is so important that she has her Father's consent. How about you? Have you sought your Father's consent? www.teshnwritings.com Tesh Njokanma is a lawyer by training whose heart is in writing. She is a prolific writer with over 15 years experience as a Magazine Editor. She is a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God with a prayer and teaching ministry. Tesh is married with children. She is based in Lagos, Nigeria Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |