Chick Chat With Connie Girl: Nigerians, Suffering & Smiling

 

Hello Guys! It’s #TalkTuesday A.K.A #ChickChat.

The country is tense, people are broke, depressed and close to giving up. For those who live in Nigeria, those who are feeling the growing pains of our nation. #KeepYourHeadUp.

I spoke to an Uber driver two days ago whose 5 year old daughter has kidney issues and is overwhelmed with hospital bills. He is earning N25,000 a month and struggling with his wife and other 2 children. His heart was heavy and he couldn’t fathom the thought of him not getting the money and watching his child die. It was the most uncomfortable ride.

Next, I thought about all my uncles who relied heavily on ‘deals and contracts’, how are they fairing in this economy? Everyone is under the radar and selling whatever assets they have to get by. Some in huge debt, some are just ok. Nigeria is not an easy place to be in right now. The rich are the ‘brokest’ right now and the poor can’t get poorer. There seems to be a dark cloud over us yet people are suffering and smiling. Over the past few months I have heard a lot. I met a lady who lost her husband. She had found the love of her life at 35, he was the perfect age at 40. He had kidney complications and died at 45. She is widowed at 40! It got me thinking, hmmm, we pray for so many things but who knows how long it will last. I feel for this lady.

I called an old acquaintance last week and as soon as she heard my voice, she burst into tears. She is depressed. Coupled with the bitch named loneliness, she never thought she’d still be unmarried at 34 with a salary that no longer covers her bills. Her mom is 62 and has cancer which comes with its own expenses. She was fed up and all she could say was “why am I doing this alone Cornelia”. How does one offer comfort in this scenario? Jesus can feel so far away sometimes!

I was driving past an old store I used to love going into and noticed it had closed down with a TO LET sign hanging on the door. I was shocked as I thought it was a profitable business but the owner had not sold one single item in the last 6 months and was forced to shut it down. This was her livelihood. Heavily based on imports, destroyed by the exchange rate.

The moral of the story is, we are all going through things, some deeper than others. Parents are struggling and so are the youth. Life just happens and we can only look to God. Here is a scripture that encourages me when I get all in my feelings “The Lord is my strength, my personal bravery and my invincible army; he makes my feet like hinds feet & will make me WALK (not STAND still in terror but WALK) and make spiritual progress upon high places of trouble, suffering or responsibility” Habbakuk 3:19 AMP