Chapter 85

JADESOLA COKER

I walked into the hall and the crowd cheered. They seemed ready, and eager to hear what I have to say. For about thirty seconds, they were still clapping, hailing, and cheering. It was indeed beautiful, and great that there were youths enthusiastic about hearing things that can help and develop them not just in their career, future, life, but spiritually as well. When I got a letter from the committee that planned the event to have a talk with the youths, I was more than ready before the day, but standing before them all, I suddenly became nervous.

I think no matter how you've improved, it feels like you are just doing it, and you pray and hope to deliver well.

Early in the morning, Gori had suggested I rest back at home when I felt like I couldn't lift my body, but I told him I really couldn't deny the youths what have prepared to share with them. If they could leave their comfort zone, their beds, their homes to attend such event, then as a speaker, I should try as much as I can to be present. Doing so, I have been able to encourage them to keep going out to hear talks that can benefit them. When I noticed they've calmed down, I decided to come in with my voice.

I lifted the microphone very close to my mouth to greet them. "Hi ladies and gentlemen."

"Hi ma!" They all chorused with a shout.

"Woos!" I breathed with a smile. "I'm so happy to be at this beautiful gathering. Please let's celebrate ourselves for coming out."

"Yes ma!" They yelled with a resounding clap until I voiced out again.

"Thank you everyone. Standing before you this afternoon is Mrs Adams Jadesola Coker. Sorry guys, I still give out three names because I like my Dad's name so much." The crowd chuckled a little. I smiled, and continued. "I came with my husband, and my ten year old daughter. Hmm, I can see some faces wondering what age I married." The hall was quiet with the people staring at me. "Well, I didn't marry early like you thought. I had an unintended pregnancy at sixteen. But to God be the glory, I'm standing here living my dreams. That is, no mistake has a say before God to change his plans for you. You can fight your way to the land of your dreams."

"Hmmm " Few people muttered loudly.

I started with a low voice checking out the surroundings, and everyone sitting in the hall as I introduced what I was asked to talk on. "I've been told to ask you all where are you going? Are you going my way?" I smiled a bit because the question seem some how, and they reacted to it with laughter as well. "You guys are laughing," I said to them.

"You all really need to know where you are heading to in life. That's the meaning of the question. But then, we all need to look back at times and thank God for where we

are coming from because where you are today, some of us don't even know how true it is, or how possible we've been able to achieve that, but God has made it a reality for us."

"Yes!!!!" Almost everyone who realized what I meant screamed.

I really didn't know how to come in, but I guess the holy spirit was working his best because I didn't plan the talk the way it was coming out. I decided to flow, and continued, but then, my voice went louder. "I don't know about those who still can't grab what I'm saying, but as for me, I know where I'm coming from. I know how tough it had been, and how tougher is still gonna be for you. I know how I felt like giving up, and how you are still gonna feel the same, but because of that, I'm here to tell you to better grab this opportunity to thank the one who is capable, authorized, and spiritfied to make you end well no matter what you've been through! I've been through the

practical, theory, and I'm here to tell you... You. Need. God!" I walked away from the stage, and moved closer to the students as my voice was no longer calm.

"Look here, any journey you ever going to take in your precious life, you still need God. Everything you need to know about yourself is in his word. Before going to live at my big mom's place, I was always going to church because my family goes to church and not because I really know what Christianity is all about. But when I got into the deal and devil thinks he had seen what to use to terminate my dreams, and hopes in life, I found the word!

Everything God said about me! See, Devil tries to use your failures, mistakes, and lost chances in life to break you, shake you, and end you where you don't expect! He starts telling you how you gonna fail again, showing you where you deserve to be....

Hello, who's still listening to that bullshit when God has spoken!" I shouted for everyone to know their ears were needed at this point.

"When God has already spoken that they looked up to him, and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed.

If you know what's like to experience what I've experienced, now you will know my face carries value, and not shame any longer."

"Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!" They all shouted.

"So, if you know where you are coming from," I raised my voice. "You can do better than that because God has been better than that! You can shout better than that because God has been better than that! You can jump better than that because God has been better than that! May be you don't know some students have to work their ass out, but your parents are still alive to pay your bills, and still send you pocket money. May be you haven't heard some mothers woke up, and went to their various works, but met death on the way while your Dad and Mom are safe and sound without any scratch! Now I guess you are getting it!"

"Some people fell ill only to end up in the hospital and are still battling with the strange illness. But for you and I, that headache came and left! That stomachache came and went! That pain came and left, and we didn't have any reason to end at the hospital Ehhh!" I shouted. "Don't be ungrateful!"

"So if you know where you are coming from, you better shout that name not minding the people who think you are mad and crazy for God! Because your level of madness in his presence will determine how God will go crazy on your finances!

Your protection! Your academics, and everything that concerns you! Do you know what's like for a king to run on your behalf! A whole king!" I ran back to the stage but I still could not demonstrate God in his magnitude.

"Ehhhh!" Many shouted, some shook their heads, nodded, and some sprang to their feet as I continued.

"Because you are not ashamed of him, so when the devil comes to act funny, God runs on your behalf saying...

Death you can't touch this one because I still need him alive! Sickness, she's too busy serving me so respect yourself okay! And when God speaks " I paused, looking

round. "You all know what that means!" "Ehhhhhh!" Shouts filled the hall.

I put the microphone closer. "God runs on your behalf, and say carry over, she calls my name too much and I'm a man of my words, so crawl out before you are crushed! Hahaha!" I laughed hysterically. "God said this on my behalf. Hi hi, I heard you are her past, and you are still holding her down. Girl just called me, and I'm getting to work asap! So back to your basement asap! Brokenness, she's done with you because I've stepped into the game and when I step into the game, you know what

that means!"

"Brokenness is running asap!" They chorused. I was glad they were following each word. Everyone was now up, but I didn't stop yet.

"So, is someone jumping for God right this moment!" I shouted through the microphone. "Is someone still screaming for God! There is a twenty seven year old lady with two months pregnancy jumping on heels of three inches, and screaming for Jesus! And if you think she's mad, she's gat no issue with you because only God knows where she's coming from! Only God knows the pain she'd been through! They say every time you talk about God, you are too emotional when it comes to God...

Can you just ignore them because only God understands your body language! Only him knows where you are coming from. Shout as loud as you can girl! Boy shout some crazy shout for hell to hear! Read. My. Lips!" I shouted through the microphone as much as I could.

"Nobody knows your exact pain! Nobody feels what you feel! They can say they understand, and they can go ahead to mention names that have gone through what they think you are going through. But hey, they haven't been in your shoes! They

haven't walked a mile! So you better ignore them and shout the name that can provide for your needs! Protect you in days of danger! Put an end to your sufferings! Run on your behalf, and turn your mess into a message!"

Some people burst into tears while some moved about. Some went on their knees, while some held their body nodding, shocked by the realization that hit them.

Everyone went from being normal to being broken for God. I stopped for a while, and moved the microphone closer again to hit the next tone. "Listen guys! Humans are funny.

They can say you brag too much when God begins to bless you. But guess what, we've got to shock some shallow minded people, and made them understand. Look at me, would you have thought a twenty seven year old me owns a Porsche!"

"Chioma!" Everyone screamed with laughter.

I smiled. "No, I'm not Chioma guys. I'm Jadesola. Last week, it was gifted to me by my husband."

"Awwnnnn " The girls chorused causing the guys to laugh.

I smiled, a little bit shy knowing Gori was there. Still holding the microphone, I continued. "I took a selfie inside it, and uploaded it on Instagram with a caption...

The beddest new Porsche owner in town." The audience laughed, as I continued. "Some might have hissed saying, see pride, we will not hear word again. Some might have probably said Is it not her husband that bought it for her." The girls laughed,

and began to make comments. Some girls couldn't hold it among them and decided to shout.

"Panadol is fifty naira."

"Cold pure water is ten naira o."

I laughed at the comments before I continued. "The story behind it is, I didn't post it for them to see it, I just needed to brag about my God who looked at me, and decided to dash me a man that can buy me Porsche." The whole crowd burst into laughter. It was after they laughed I realized it was funny. I chuckled a little. "I'm going somewhere guys. If today is your birthday, and you've uploaded some pictures with a very long caption, and your followers are like upon birthday, see pictures, see

caption like we didn't celebrate our own too."

"It's because they don't know where I'm from coming from!" A guy yelled at the front seat getting thumbs up from people around him.

Someone else shouted from the back again. "IphoneX after three years of using Lenovo, and you say I should snap pictures. Are you okay?" This time, everyone burst into laughter including me. I was glad the audience got what I was saying. We can't let what people say stop us from how we appreciate the blessings God gives to us.

"Sorry if I'm not saying what you wanted or needed to hear, but this is what is coming out of my mouth this afternoon. And I have a work for everyone sitting here today. When you leave here, you need to tell somebody what I'm about say!" I tried not to be calm, but then I couldn't shout too much because of how I was feeling. "Yes, I got pregnant at sixteen, and waited four years before getting my admission, but guess what, it was only just for a while because I'm back to my feet! You are not even pregnant, but your admission is being delayed and your mates have decided to isolate you... Look here, when you leave this place, go tell them is only gonna last for a while!"

"If you have to put it on your status, put it on your status! If you have to snap a picture and use it as your caption, then let's do it! Because everyone who thinks low of you! Everyone who thinks nothing of you! Everyone who thinks the table can't be turned needs to be reminded it only gonna last for a while! You can tell them Jadesola Coker said so! I've been through it, and I'm here standing today to tell you....

It was just for a while!"

The audience cheered, but I continued. "You and your parents stay in an apartment that is nothing to write home about, sleep on a worn out bed, and even the chairs in the sitting room, you know and you know that the chairs shouldn't be in that house

any longer, but I'm here to tell you that they are just gonna last for a while because by the time you are done with the four, five, six, seven years courses, and you become the next lawyers, medical doctors, correct entrepreneurs, and your dreams begin to shape before you. By that time, everything in that house that does not match your status meet their expiry date!"

"So while you are school, leave that expensive Brazilian hair, and remember the chairs and cupboard in your house that need to meet it expiry date! Leave the latest bag, shoes, and do with what you have because that poverty in your family must meet its expiry date! Few months ago, the shame I used to know met with an expiry date the day I was legally married, and finally graduated in law school, shocking those who thought they were coming for my next baby ceremony to come for my graduation first." People laughed. "Guys, this new Jadesola is on fire!"

"Yes!!!" Everyone clapped, and cheered. I was almost rounding up. I smiled at the beautiful reactions I got, and brought my voice down. "Now, I'm married, graduated from law school, owns a foundation, expecting my second baby, and guess what--"

"What!" They chorused before I could finish my statement. So I just continued. "I married the former President's son. Remember guys, I'm bragging about the gifts of God in my life. This girl is living in money for the rest of her life. Please celebrate my man because he's actually baby sitting me in this hall cause I'm a bit strong."

Everyone in the hall laughed, and at one corner where Goriola sat, I finally saw him laughed. "So guys, I'm gonna leave you here with my story. That every bend is not the end of your life. My mistake with the same man I married has coloured my life because I fought for the bright colour when it looked like it was going to end my life.

Despite everything, I'm living my dreams today. I guess some of us have read my story?"

"Yes!" Some responded.

"If so, remember suicide is not the option. You are too needed to be wasted. You are too talented, and gifted to give up because the money isn't coming like you're expecting it to come. Being a yahoo boy or girl means giving up on your talent, on yourself, and on your dreams. If you can put the same time, creativity, skill you put in using to scam people to work on yourself and your brand, one day, your skill, creativity will reach a day it will change your life for unending success. But you giving up means you don't know the worth of your creativity, and skill. And may God punish suicide guys." Few laughed while some were so into the words I was speaking slowly.

"May God really punish suicide because if I had allow depression to get the best of me and had killed myself when I thought of it, who will be driving my own Porsche today?" Now everyone laughed.

"So, before you give up or kill yourself, I should let you know nurses are still wanted. Doctors are still wanted. Who is going to build those hospitals? Who is going to save lives? Fashion designers, stylist, painter, graphic designers, lawyers, bakers, caterers, teachers, actors, artiste, make-up artist, and writers are still needed to walk this earth.

Who is going to fill in the CEO positions? Who are those going to fill in the manager positions? So while learning, learn so well to become the best in your field. Learn to be good at what you do. Don't give it up, or go for suicide because if you do, Who will drive the cars not sold yet? Who are those to buy the houses built in estates, and lands yet to be bought? Who will be rich enough to give out scholarship to young scholars coming up? Who will be an encouragement to the youths coming up next?"

Whao! Hmmm....

Many commented, nodding their heads, shaking their heads, and hitting their hands together producing a loud claps.

"You can't give up! And here is where I will end my story. Thank you everyone." I dropped the mic.

THE END•

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