One Christmas Eve


I began to hate God at the tender age of five.
I hated him for allowing my parents to be killed in a fatal accident. I hated him for pushing me out in the rain, cold and alone. I hated him for everything.
With my parents dead and gone, I was forced to stay with an aunt, who blamed me for everything that ever went wrong.
“Kolawole!” she would scream my name and I would run fearfully to her, fully aware that her wrath could bring down the earth.
“Where is the money I put on the table?” she would roar at me.
“I didn’t take any money. Aunty, I swear.”
“Liar! You better tell me the truth now or I would put an end to your miserable life!”
“But I didn’t take the money.” Though innocent, she would cut my flesh with razor blade and rub the wound with fresh pepper. I endured this hell until I could take it no more. Barely ten years old, I wandered into the street.
The street brimmed with pain; its calloused hands offered nothing but venom and good grief. Days spent rummaging rubbish for food and nights passed under the frosty bridge tore my pride apart. Everyday, I saw fear, every hour, I saw tears. But in all these dark hours, I never saw God. I was certain he was long dead. So I thought until I clocked twelve.
It was Christmas Eve and also my birthday. The sky glimmered with dazzling fireworks. There was colourful harmony in the air but in my heart, there was deep sadness. Earlier in the day, I had wandered and saw kids like me. They were all happy because they had everything to be thankful for. Their beautiful attires glowed, and my beautiful rags showed, I felt so low. In shame, I retired to my lonely abode, wondering how the world could be so wrong.
My head was still bowed in self-pity when I heard the voice.
“Merry Christmas.” It said and I looked up to see an old man full of grey. I hissed at him.
“Leave me alone.”
“Why should I?” he moved closer with a smile.
“Can’t you see it is going to be a beautiful Christmas?”
“Maybe to you. Why not just go away, old man.”
“Can’t you feel him? Can’t you feel the God of Christmas?”
I started to my feet. “I feel nothing. He is probably dead.”
“Oh no my boy. He will never die and he cares so much about you.”
“He does not care about me!” I raised my voice angrily. “He killed my parents!”
“Am sure you don’t mean that. And talking about your parents, they are not happy, you know. Especially your mother.” I hissed at him again.
“Your mother is in heaven but she is not happy because you are angry with God.”
“That is a lie. God killed her.” I looked at him closely. “And who are you?”
“An angel. God sent me to you.”
I refused to be impressed. “Then go and tell him I hate him.”
‘He knows that already. He wants you to know that he cares about you.”
“Tell him he is a liar!”
“He protects you from the danger that rules the street.”
“I hate him!”
“He thinks about you every seconds and he wants you to know that.”
“I don’t care!”
A moment passed and he said. “Your mother sends you a gift.”
My spirit lifted at that. “Mother?”
He gave me a wrapped package. Anxiously, I unwrapped it and inside the box was a beautiful photo album. I opened it and saw pictures of myself.
In one of the pictures, I was sleeping under the bridge and a big snake crawled towards me. An angel appeared and killed the snake. It immediately brought back the memory of a dead snake three days earlier. In another, I was leaning against a wall which was about falling. An angel was seen preventing the wall from falling on me. I looked at the angel, then back at the album.
I saw how an angel put some fresh fruits where I could easily find it; tend to me when I was sick. These sights softened my heart and I cried.
“Yes you could not see it but God has always been there, caring for you. And now, he has prepared for you new parents. They would make you feel loved again.”
Through tears, I said “He has?”
“Oh yes. Come with me.” He led the way and I followed. I had no idea how but I found us standing in front of an oak door, right inside a beautiful garden. The angel asked me to knock and I did. The response was immediate, as if someone had been waiting all day.
When the door swung open, it revealed a pleasant looking middle-aged lady. I could see in her eyes that she could not believe what she was seeing.
“Oh my God!” she exclaimed. “Darling, come here immediately. He is here at last!” she was joined by her husband. He was surprised too.
“Oh my God be praised!” he too exclaimed. “Hi my young man, please come in. we have been expecting you.”
Seeking a reassurance from the angel, I turned back. What I found was nothing. He was gone. Probably to rescue another lost boy, on a beautiful Christmas Eve.

Comments

Compassion said…
Oh wow that was a beautiful and heartfelt story.
Unknown said…
this is a wonderful story
i am touched
There is a God who rules in the afairs of men
Anonymous said…
Nice!!!!:)

I'm need more though...I was hooked!!!:)
Anonymous said…
nice story.
a tad... over the top in the telling, but the message gets across.
Emeka Amakeze said…
I used to ask, "where is God when bad things happen to good people?". I know He is never far from us and that makes your story believable. Merry Xmas.
Anonymous said…
This is a beautiful, inspirational story. It made me cry. It also made me smile. Very moving.
Echoes in Ink said…
What an amazing story. Your way with words is beautiful.

I've never been to your site before, but I'm already impressed and will be checking back often.

God bless you and your writings,
Catey (Sister Warrior)
Mia said…
Hi there!
Well, since there's a comment from Lauren Anne on here, I'm assumming that's how you found my blog! What did you mean by "wow!" on your comment?
Toluwa said…
beautiful...

He always walks with us even when we do not see him.
celestocalculus said…
More like a Hollywood (or Nollywood) movie to me.

Complements of the season.
amakapreneur said…
thanks for your encouragement.nice story.
Random Hiccups said…
wow. This is incredible.

I really enjoy your style and the way your words are so natural and grounded. I will definately be on the look out for more of your work!
Afrobabe said…
Beautiful story, so heart rentching...

and nice play of words..

Came here from omosewa's...and I must say I am not dissapointed....
sonata said…
very good. i would go over and edit it again(as far as wording, spelling, etc.), but it's very good. i eagerly wait to read your next post.
Unknown said…
wow AMAZING story!
Morgan Mandel said…
That was one beautiful story. I couldn't stop reading. You have a great talent!

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com
Buttercup said…
wow deola, that was truly beautiful..

happy new year!
Anonymous said…
Such an inspiring & beautiful story. You got closed to tears.

A hypnotic story, I say.

Really hope to hear some more! You make a great writer(;
SOLOMONSYDELLE said…
wow! what a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing.

Happy New Year!
Vince Staples said…
I appreciate the comment on my blog, ill be following up on your work..
Anonymous said…
What a beautiful story - a gift of a child to a couple at Christmas. There are more angels around than we realise.
AkidNamedLaVish said…
Merry be-lated Xmas & New Years....

good story love.
Anonymous said…
That is an incredibly moving story. Thank you for visiting the Cafe and saying Hi. Hope to see you back soon.
LG said…
happy 2009 dear'
our year of unspeakable joy'
Jo said…
Omigoodness, what a beautiful story! It gave me goosebumps. I struggle with believing in God. Sometimes I wonder if he believes in me. I love to read a story like this.
Devika Jyothi said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Devika Jyothi said…
Such a touching story, Deola...

I think I needed that now...though even without, reassurance of God's remains with me always

wishes,
devika
Julia said…
My only response is wow. Great story from your heart.
anonant said…
To hate god is to hate creation
It is to forget who makes decisions
people decide to hate and they decide to love this is gods gift to us.
We decide! I am sure God smiles when we do it right and I am sure he winces when we do it wrong.
peace
teebay said…
aawwww am gettin all mushy on the inside!

nice one here!
Wow! That is beautiful! It's wonderful how God is always there to protect us.
orantimi said…
Hmm, very touching! i love this.

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