TOBE WITH ALEX

In 4 days' time, Tobe will be celebrating his 9th birthday.

I remember how one day, 5 years ago, I called my wife from the office. I was working in a different town and my wife had to juggle business, home keeping and childcare.

She had just shared a scary dream that looked like a scene off a 2020 horror movie. She narrated how, while in a short nap, she saw herself running out of the house with a boy child. He was faint and about to give up. She ran into a long passageway and then another lady, who we both know collected the child from her and ran down the stairs. As they got to the foot of the stairs, there was a strange occurrence. There was no exit. No way out. A wall stood as barricade.

In that confusion, the child died in the lady's hands.

When she shared it, I told her we needed to pray and fast about the dream in two days' time.

After I dropped the call, I had a strong impression to call her back and not wait till 2 days. We agreed in prayer and canceled whatever negative thing the dream meant.

She later went to pick the children from school that afternoon.

While the boys were eating, Tobe, suddenly climbed the stairs of the double-decker bed we had made for them. He went up to get his toy at the top bunk. While descending, he lost his footing and fell headlong.

Crystal tried to catch him but missed him. His forehead hit the floor with a thud and it went inside immediately.

It was a scary sight to behold. The boy burst out in tears. He was in pains.

My wife called me. I prayed and told her not to panic. This was the manifestation of the dream. The bed he climbed was the staircase. The boy will not d1e. The battle had been won. We agreed she should take him to the hospital.

Meanwhile, physically, it wasn't looking good. Forehead had depressed like how a ball is when air is taken out and it is pushed in.

She put him on her laps and drove with fury to the hospital. Formula 1 drivers would have taken notes from her that day.

After driving for few minutes, the bone of the forehead popped out back to the original shape.

She finally got to Emergency where Xrays and other tests were done. Thankfully, there was no internal injury.

She took him back home.

This is one of the reasons why I Plead with spouses to be on the same page. Sometines, the unity in your hearts alone is a prayer. May the d3vil not infiltrate your home with those quarrels that begin for flimsy reasons.

Few days ago, we reviewed this story and one missing piece of the puzzle finally fit in. We felt bad because we didn't know it before now.

Remember the lady who took the child from her, and the child d1ed in her arms? We just realized that several years ago, she had a child that she lost on the day he was to be named.

Oh God. Sometimes, the dream might not be about you, it might be about another person.

I pray for comfort for everyone who has lost a loved one.

Today, I look back and see how God saved the life of this young man.

Happy Birthday in advance Tobe. Mum, dad and Alex love you dearly.

With long life will God satisfy you and show you his salvation.

Please join me in saying a prayer for him.

Mike O. Nwangwa

When they said mothers turn children against their fathers, I thought it was a joke o.

I used to say: "Not my portion" "Back to sender" "Jump and pass".

I confess.

I was the one that started it sha.

Tobe injured his arm and I was trying to see how he was doing.

3 of us were sitting together. Me, Crystal, Tobe.

Me: Thank God the hand is now okay. That means you can pu.nch someone now. Oya, make a fist and pu.nch this woman for me (Pointing to Crystal).

Tobe looks at me.

Crystal: So Tobe, you will really punch me? It's me o.

Tobe makes as if to pu.nch her and lands me a loved-laced punch.

They broke out in laughter.

You see what I mean when I say mothers can turn children against their fathers?

If you take the last statement literally, na you sabi😀

Mike O. Nwangwa

We wanted Tobe to lead devotion.

He was always dodging.

That's when he would say he wants to sleep. Or give another flimsy excuse.

So this day, we decided to encourage him.

Crystal and I started saying: "Oya, Pastor Tobe lead us."

He smiled.

Crystal added more encouragement: Give it up for Pastor Tobe. PT."

Tobe was still contemplating when Alex interjected:

" PT

Pity

I pity you."

I can't remember how the devotion ended that day.

Alex insulted our General Overseer.

If you don't respect face, you should respect Grace.

Mike O. Nwangwa

My mother has complained over the years that I don't buy bread when I'm going to visit people.

She would tease me: "So a full grown adult will just come and not buy even bread? "

I figured out, if we want bread, we'll just go and buy around. But no. Dem say na the one I carry travel for 200km naim sweet pass.

So one day, as I was returning home, I bought the biggest bread I could find and took home.

When I brought it out, Crystal first laughed: "Heeeeeey. For the first time! Wait. Who give you this bread? Wetin happen wey you buy am?"

I was just smiling.

Next Alex ran towards the bread, shouting: "Hey. Hey. Hey." Next, he lifted the bread up as though he were lifting a bag of rice.

Then he announced: "Ladies and gentlemen. The award of the Bread Winner goes to Daddyyyyy."

Everybody laughed.

These people are playing with me.

They will hear from my lawyers!

See what they have turned the glamorous office of 'Bread Winner' to.

The Lord is our Light and Salvation.

Mike O. Nwangwa

Alex was complaining that his mother refused to massage his back, even after he has helped her several times.

I told him: 'My brother. That's how she is o. She no dey help person.'

Crystal: Why you dey cast me for the boy now?

Me: Is it not true?

Moments later, I am with Alex in their room and graciously accept to massage him after he asks me.

Then...

Alex: Daddy. How did you learn how to massage?

Me: (Feeling like consultant chiropractor) Well, I just learnt it. No one taught me. Why?

Alex: My back is now worse.

I laughed in confusion.

Then he asked again: You thought you were good?

Me:🙆‍♂️

Shots fired!

Mike O. Nwangwa