Divine Instruction

God has fulfilled this promise in my life experience! We sometimes get to a point in our lives when we do not know how to handle disturbing situations. We try to figure out solutions but in vain. At such times, we need to remember a faithful Father of love, God—our best Friend, who is able to instruct us and teach us the best way to get through difficult situations.

Ebenezer, my youngest son, was always falling sick, being in and out of the hospital with diagnoses ranging from infections and malaria to colds. I became troubled as I had to leave him many times to meet the travel demands of my job. In desperation, I prayed, “Instruct me on the solution to my son’s poor health, or I will quit my job.” As I continued in claiming this promise, my son fell sick again. I took him to the community health-care center instead of the pediatric clinic. It was a public hospital with less care and attention for patients. Health workers seemed busy with different cases. There was no air-conditioning, no toys and playground for the children, no snacks to pacify a crying toddler, and no television on which to watch cartoons. The center was totally different from the pediatric clinic my son was used to.

“Mummy, let us go back home. This is horrible. I don’t like this clinic. I am fine now!” my son yelled. I calmed him down, and we finally had a medical consultation with the doctor. On our way back home, my son whispered, “Mummy, what can I do so that I will never come here again?”

“Son, you simply need to be well and not fall sick again,” I replied. Since that day, I noticed a totally different situation with my son. He prays every day for good health, obeys simple health rules like washing his hands before eating, washing his fruit before eating, drinking enough water, and taking his afternoon naps. His sicknesses are gone. My seven-year-old Ebenezer enjoys good health, and we are all happy now. Going to a public, less-than-optimum health center instead of the child-friendly pediatric clinic worked wonders on my son psychologically and helped him make conscious efforts to overcome sickness.

How wonderful that God will teach us simple ways to deal with our challenges! Try Him!

Omobonike Adeola Sessou