The Way Out
This morning while doing the dishes, my mum said something to me, something that unraveled the moment I'm about to share. You ready?
Sometime last year in my second year in College, we had a flooding incident. On that particular day we were on our way back from lectures, my roommate and I, we were both exhausted as we hadn't had time for breakfast that morning. We were discussing what we should have for lunch. We finally made a decision just as we got to the door. We opened it and mehn! it was as if we had stepped into Narnia, an alternate universe. I stood just outside the door and looked on in horror as our room was flooded with water. Our carpet was floating, our bed drenched, books soaked, our chargers and extension dripping with water and our clothes were totally drowning as well.
I can't name the number of emotions that flashed through my heart at that point but I can tell you this, it was nothing pleasant. Here I was, exhausted and hungry with deadlines to meet up with. We had a major conference coming up in a few days, one we had to attend, we had assignments due in days and we had to make sure we'd put everything in order before packing up for the conference. Honestly, that incident couldn't have come at a more terrible time. So when we opened the door and I saw that, I just froze for a moment, the tons of work I had to do going through my head and different emotions flashing through at that point, it's no wonder I froze for a second or two. Then I just kept muttering, "No", "This can't happen" and "What happened?" continuously in that order. I was on the verge of a break down. I don't remember if I shed a few tears but I know that if my amazing and strong roommate did not say the encouraging, uplifting words she had, I really don't know where I would have found the strength to do the work that needed doing.
Just after she placated me, she outlined what we had to do and as she took a bucket from the bathroom and started scooping the water, it was like something came on me and I just got the energy to do what she was doing. At some point, my neighbor came in to assist us and together, we were able to dry up all the water in the room. We took the mattress out to the veranda and left it there to dry. Phase one was complete.
When I mentioned earlier, our clothes were soaked, I meant about four big bags of clothes were completely soaked. Now note that this happened during the rainy season and the sun coming out was just a rarity during that period. Even while we were cleaning out the room, the rain was still falling. So for our next step we brought out some curtains and bedsheets that by some miracle were unaffected as they were at the very top of the bag. We brought them out and spread it on the ground. Then we started bringing out all the wet clothes. Those that were dark colored were placed in one bundle while others with different colors that could stain plain clothes when stacked together were separated as well. We kept at it and by the time we were done, our entire floor was covered with clothes.
We spent the few days we had trying to finish our assignment, dry out the garments we could, while preparing for our forthcoming conference. All through that period we slept on cold floor using damp wrappers for covering. I honestly don't know how it is we didn't fall sick sleeping that way but we didn't. We spent about a week in that state.
As the day of the conference drew near, we ensured we put everything in order, got our assignments submitted, and dealt with the things that needed dealing with such as asking our neighbor to help us sun our mattress during the days the sun came out.
Now, you know what drew me to this story? My mum said to me today, "I know your sister is capable of handling it." The sister being mentioned is my twin sister. In our home, she's actually the most hardworking of us all. She's like the extra 1% to a complete 100%. Not that the others don't carry their weight but my twin does a more excellent Job.
Now, my mum has this habit of bringing out unused kitchen utensils that have gotten dusty with time without giving you prior warning. Imagine waking up to do dishes and see a whole additional stack of plates waiting. This particular morning was one of those days. However, when she saw me getting soap and sponge ready to get to work, she realized it was actually my day to do the dishes. When I saw the additional dishes, I of course gave my mum the look we give her when she's being indulgent and she responds, that she didn't realize today was my day, she actually thought it was my twin sister's day to do the dishes, because she knows "she's capable and can handle it." Please note, I can do the things she can but I'll admit that I'm a tad bit more spoiled on this area than she is, lol.
Now, when mum said those words, "She's capable and can handle it." A light bulb went on in my head and I recalled the story I just told.
Sometimes, you don't know how strong you are till something happens that puts that to the test. When I first saw the state of my room, I honestly thought of just running but whether by the actions and words of my roommate or even by some inner strength I didn't know I possessed till that day, I didn't run, I stuck it out. I'll tell you that my roommate and I, we did what had to be done to get things restored. I did not slack on my part and neither did she. Infact, it was through that experience I knew of a surety that I could remain cool under pressure, that I could be strong and capable. I didn't start out that way but I found the strength to push forward and do what had to be done.
Yes, you can do it too. You may not even realize it but in you is the capacity for great strength. Now I'm not saying you must experience something to test it but I just want you to know that should you be or ever pass through something difficult, You have the capacity to handle it. There's a portion in the Bible that says, (Paraphrased) God will not let you handle what you have not the Strength to bear. He will never give you something He didn't think you're capable of overcoming. No experience is uncommon to man but when you're tempted, God will always provide a way out for you.The way out is that in you is embedded the capacity and strength to handle whatever life throws at you.
I just want to remind you today that you can do it! You can handle it! You are capable! So look that issue in the face and say to yourself, "I Can do this!" "I am capable of handling you." At the time it didn't seem like I could but once that lightbulb went off in my head and I felt something rush through my body, I realized I could actually do what needed doing and I did! Today, I hope you find the strength to confront that issue, I hope you find the courage to settle that problem, I hope you find the Grace to put that Strength to work!
YOU CAN DO IT!
P.S: After investigating, we found out, I forgot to lock the tap. I turned it on while there was no water. While at lectures, water started rushing in and given how terrible our drainage system is, the water couldn't go out fast enough especially given the ferocity at which it was flowing. It really was a terrible accident but our room eventually survived through it and you wouldn't know that such an incident had ever happened. Most days, I remember to lock the tap, sometimes I don't but my Roomie complements my forgetfulness, lol.
This morning while doing the dishes, my mum said something to me, something that unraveled the moment I'm about to share. You ready?
Sometime last year in my second year in College, we had a flooding incident. On that particular day we were on our way back from lectures, my roommate and I, we were both exhausted as we hadn't had time for breakfast that morning. We were discussing what we should have for lunch. We finally made a decision just as we got to the door. We opened it and mehn! it was as if we had stepped into Narnia, an alternate universe. I stood just outside the door and looked on in horror as our room was flooded with water. Our carpet was floating, our bed drenched, books soaked, our chargers and extension dripping with water and our clothes were totally drowning as well.
I can't name the number of emotions that flashed through my heart at that point but I can tell you this, it was nothing pleasant. Here I was, exhausted and hungry with deadlines to meet up with. We had a major conference coming up in a few days, one we had to attend, we had assignments due in days and we had to make sure we'd put everything in order before packing up for the conference. Honestly, that incident couldn't have come at a more terrible time. So when we opened the door and I saw that, I just froze for a moment, the tons of work I had to do going through my head and different emotions flashing through at that point, it's no wonder I froze for a second or two. Then I just kept muttering, "No", "This can't happen" and "What happened?" continuously in that order. I was on the verge of a break down. I don't remember if I shed a few tears but I know that if my amazing and strong roommate did not say the encouraging, uplifting words she had, I really don't know where I would have found the strength to do the work that needed doing.
Just after she placated me, she outlined what we had to do and as she took a bucket from the bathroom and started scooping the water, it was like something came on me and I just got the energy to do what she was doing. At some point, my neighbor came in to assist us and together, we were able to dry up all the water in the room. We took the mattress out to the veranda and left it there to dry. Phase one was complete.
When I mentioned earlier, our clothes were soaked, I meant about four big bags of clothes were completely soaked. Now note that this happened during the rainy season and the sun coming out was just a rarity during that period. Even while we were cleaning out the room, the rain was still falling. So for our next step we brought out some curtains and bedsheets that by some miracle were unaffected as they were at the very top of the bag. We brought them out and spread it on the ground. Then we started bringing out all the wet clothes. Those that were dark colored were placed in one bundle while others with different colors that could stain plain clothes when stacked together were separated as well. We kept at it and by the time we were done, our entire floor was covered with clothes.
We spent the few days we had trying to finish our assignment, dry out the garments we could, while preparing for our forthcoming conference. All through that period we slept on cold floor using damp wrappers for covering. I honestly don't know how it is we didn't fall sick sleeping that way but we didn't. We spent about a week in that state.
As the day of the conference drew near, we ensured we put everything in order, got our assignments submitted, and dealt with the things that needed dealing with such as asking our neighbor to help us sun our mattress during the days the sun came out.
Now, you know what drew me to this story? My mum said to me today, "I know your sister is capable of handling it." The sister being mentioned is my twin sister. In our home, she's actually the most hardworking of us all. She's like the extra 1% to a complete 100%. Not that the others don't carry their weight but my twin does a more excellent Job.
Now, my mum has this habit of bringing out unused kitchen utensils that have gotten dusty with time without giving you prior warning. Imagine waking up to do dishes and see a whole additional stack of plates waiting. This particular morning was one of those days. However, when she saw me getting soap and sponge ready to get to work, she realized it was actually my day to do the dishes. When I saw the additional dishes, I of course gave my mum the look we give her when she's being indulgent and she responds, that she didn't realize today was my day, she actually thought it was my twin sister's day to do the dishes, because she knows "she's capable and can handle it." Please note, I can do the things she can but I'll admit that I'm a tad bit more spoiled on this area than she is, lol.
Now, when mum said those words, "She's capable and can handle it." A light bulb went on in my head and I recalled the story I just told.
Sometimes, you don't know how strong you are till something happens that puts that to the test. When I first saw the state of my room, I honestly thought of just running but whether by the actions and words of my roommate or even by some inner strength I didn't know I possessed till that day, I didn't run, I stuck it out. I'll tell you that my roommate and I, we did what had to be done to get things restored. I did not slack on my part and neither did she. Infact, it was through that experience I knew of a surety that I could remain cool under pressure, that I could be strong and capable. I didn't start out that way but I found the strength to push forward and do what had to be done.
Yes, you can do it too. You may not even realize it but in you is the capacity for great strength. Now I'm not saying you must experience something to test it but I just want you to know that should you be or ever pass through something difficult, You have the capacity to handle it. There's a portion in the Bible that says, (Paraphrased) God will not let you handle what you have not the Strength to bear. He will never give you something He didn't think you're capable of overcoming. No experience is uncommon to man but when you're tempted, God will always provide a way out for you.The way out is that in you is embedded the capacity and strength to handle whatever life throws at you.
I just want to remind you today that you can do it! You can handle it! You are capable! So look that issue in the face and say to yourself, "I Can do this!" "I am capable of handling you." At the time it didn't seem like I could but once that lightbulb went off in my head and I felt something rush through my body, I realized I could actually do what needed doing and I did! Today, I hope you find the strength to confront that issue, I hope you find the courage to settle that problem, I hope you find the Grace to put that Strength to work!
YOU CAN DO IT!
P.S: After investigating, we found out, I forgot to lock the tap. I turned it on while there was no water. While at lectures, water started rushing in and given how terrible our drainage system is, the water couldn't go out fast enough especially given the ferocity at which it was flowing. It really was a terrible accident but our room eventually survived through it and you wouldn't know that such an incident had ever happened. Most days, I remember to lock the tap, sometimes I don't but my Roomie complements my forgetfulness, lol.