13 AUGUST

THE FRENCH COURSE IN BIAFRA

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Here is an interesting story someone told:

“I was in Form Three out of the five years to O’ Level at the best girls’ secondary school in Eastern Nigeria at the beginning of the Nigerian civil war. We had moved from town to town to avoid the war fronts, the gunfire and air raids.

“Hidden in a town in the middle of Biafra, I was surprised to receive a classmate as a visitor one morning. In answer to my questions: ‘How did you find out where we are?’, ‘how did you get here?’ etc, she informed me that my dad’s office was in charge of shortlisting young people who would go to France to study and she had come to appeal to him through me for her to be shortlisted.

“What a surprise! My dad? Why didn’t I know? When my dad came home, I challenged him that my own name was not included for such an opportunity. He explained that he had included my friend’s name on the list to be interviewed as they were on the lookout for youths with good educational backgrounds who would remain focused. He added that he had not included me because the students would only study French and his plan was that I should have a wider choice and greater opportunities in life.

“As much as I would have loved to go, I had to accept that my dad had plans for a better future for me. Later on, at the end of the war, I had the opportunity to finish my secondary school education and make a difficult choice between Medicine and Pharmacy. Once again, with my dad’s advice, I chose Pharmacy and I am sure glad I did!”

God answers our prayers by giving us the best in His own package and at His own time. Will you wait for His package?

ACTION: Believe that God has your best interest at heart always.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for the great plans you have for me. Help me to trust and patiently wait for you to perfect your will for my life.