TESTIMONIES
THE HARVEST OF A HELPFUL HEART BY BRO C.D.
I was never the kind of person who liked to do anything extra beyond my chores. And even those chores weren’t things I particularly enjoyed. But listening to Pastor Ita changed me. I learned that we ought to be helpful at home. Since I didn’t grow up in my own home but stayed with uncles or cousins over the years, I decided to try it out.
When I stayed with my older cousin (male) and his family, his wife, children, and younger siblings his wife became close to me simply because of how often I helped out. She gave me the freedom to come around anytime I wished, always asked what I wanted to eat, and would even insist I choose something when I had no idea what to pick.
One moment I will never forget happened during my final year. She asked me to make a list of everything I needed for the whole year—school fees, hostel fees, foodstuffs, books, everything. It was unbelievable. The last time anyone asked me to make such a list was in my first year when I had just gained admission. So I didn’t take her seriously. But she kept reminding me. Still, I ignored it.
Eventually, she called me into her room and asked me to bring a pen and paper. She made me write the list, even though I was reluctant because I couldn’t imagine how any of it would be possible. Yet, she kept her word. She bought about 90% of everything I wrote down, not counting the monetary gifts that followed.
I didn’t do anything special. I was simply practicing what I’d learned at God’s Lighthouse—being a helpful, useful Christian.
I got discouraged many times. Sometimes I wanted to laze around, but whenever there was work to be done, I got up. Even when I was told I couldn’t handle certain tasks, I still stayed around, especially in the kitchen.
When I visited my uncle during festive seasons, his wife and children were always excited to see me because they knew they could rely on me to handle many chores with energy to spare. This wasn’t who I used to be at all. But because I chose to humble myself and be used like a rag, not a dirty cloth, but a cleaning tool I became someone they found trustworthy and hardworking. My uncle would give me cash gifts when I was leaving, and his wife would load me with foodstuffs—sometimes telling me to take as much as I could carry.
In December 2024, many of my relatives returned to the village. I rotated between about three different houses that season, doing chores for all of them almost constantly.
It was honestly stressful and tasking, but I did the little I could, and it paid off, even though that wasn’t my intention. As I went around greeting them, I received monetary gifts that shocked me, more than #30,000, not counting the transfers others sent. For my older aunts who couldn’t give much cash, the garri they gave me was massive—nothing less than six or more custard rubbers. The whole ‘bagco sack’ was full and overflowing. That garri took me, and those I shared it with far into the year.
These aren’t even all the examples, but they make the point clear. My obedience has been paying off over the years. I started obeying in my first year. Now, after completing my four-year program, I’m still reaping the fruits of simply cleaning extra and helping out more.
God bless my pastor for these teachings.
PREVIOUS EPISODE: HONOURING YOUR PARENTS (PART 11)
FROM RESISTANCE TO HONOUR BY SIS M.F.
Before traveling home for the last holiday, I had been listening to Pastor’s teachings on honouring parents, confessing offenses, and showing respect. Those messages convicted me because of the things I had said and thought about my dad, and the rebellion I had carried for years. I judged him wrongly, spoke back, disobeyed him, and pretended outwardly to be a good child most of the time while struggling inwardly.
For a long time, I also went home empty-handed, expecting my parents to provide everything. In boarding school and even when I began my university education, I usually called home only to make demands. Even when I started university service, I still expected to be served, and if I didn’t get what I wanted, I would get angry, withdraw, and refuse to listen to explanations.
But through Pastor’s teachings and scriptures like Ephesians 6:1–3 and Proverbs 20:20, God softened my heart. I learned that honour also means helping out at home, giving, obeying instructions exactly as they are given, and not acting based on my own ideas. Before, if I was told to do something, I would “fine-tune” it and do it my own way. Now, I’ve learnt to listen attentively and act as instructed. I was able to help a lot at home, noticing issues my parents complained about and offering help. I washed clothes, cleaned toilets, cleaned rooms—things that I usually complained about when asked to do. This time, I did it without even being asked to. Repeatedly, my parents thanked me, and I received prayers too.
During the holiday, this was tested. At some point, I felt as though I was being used too much, being sent on multiple errands as if I was the only one at home.
Pride kicked in, and I became disobedient—refusing errands or telling my parents to send my siblings instead. But because of the teachings on honour, it was easy for the Holy Spirit to convict me. I found myself apologizing, repenting, and choosing to obey.
By God’s grace, I began helping intentionally at home, not only when told, but even before being asked. I also encouraged my siblings to be obedient and responsible. I learned to bring small gifts home, like groundnuts or bananas, and saw how much joy those gestures brought to my parents. Honour strengthened our relationship and opened doors for healthier conversations.
During this same period, my dad’s eyesight became very poor, and following my shepherd’s guidance, I went home seeking forgiveness for all the wrong things I had done and said about him and restoration.
I bought some fruits, made a mini-salad and served him, then eventually confessed everything I had done and asked for his forgiveness. This led to a turning point in our relationship. He forgave me, prayed for me with tears, and blessed me. I read the Bible to him afterwards, and it comforted him.
ALSO READ: CHANGING GOD?
From then on, our relationship changed. I became more appreciative and willing to serve, and he became more open, supportive, and allowed me to attend church meetings. My heart softened towards him and I was able to pray for his healing almost every day while at home. God has also healed him significantly, and our relationship is now peaceful and simple in a way I never imagined.
I’m grateful to Pastor for Spirit-led teachings, and to my shepherd who guided and instructed me on how to conduct myself properly and help at home during the holidays. May the name of the Lord be praised. Amen.
READ NEXT: HONOUR (PART 13)
