A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE (A Short Story By Jessica Duru)

I’d never given a thought about how this Christmas will be. But I was certain that it was going to be like every other Christmas. My siblings went about it like it was something worth celebrating at that time, but to me it meant less. It’s being two years, and yet there was still no sign of me getting into college. I had the grades and everything, but the colleges here was just something else to say. I couldn’t quite catch why my name was yet to be on that list, even after all my papers have been cleared… twice! I was getting really tired of this, and so wished I could get out of this goddamn country – whose name I had come to hate. Nigeria, though an amazing place with beautiful sceneries all around, was bit of a bore for me. I had never for once like it, but wasn’t given that much of a choice to live in. I had higher sights – one to someday be called a citizen of America. But who could say when it would be?

 

“You always inmate the Whites -” My friends would say, and I’d chuckle, not knowing what thing to say. Not like I wasn’t being myself, I had just come to appreciate the way of the foreigners and had made it a part of me.

 

Now, listen – for my story begins…

 

“Chinonso! Chinonso!”

 

That’ll be Mum calling. She’s always doing that just at the time your favorite show is about to begin.

 

Getting up reluctantly from my favorite chair, I walked to her room as her eyes fixed on her phone – probably chatting as usual.

 

“Have you seen this?” She turned the phone so I could see.

 

“UNIZIK ADMISSION PROCESS KICKS OFF.” I read and shrugged.

 

“Shouldn’t we tell your aunt about this? She will know what to do.” She said suggestively, which I gave a ‘no’ to.

 

“This is a last month stuff, Mum.  The date’s there.” I pointed out and showed it to her.

 

“Oh. November.”

 

“And besides, Mum, I’m so fed up with NAU. I just, I just can’t wait for this year to be over so I can apply for a school that’ll admit me right away.” I said, my mind already made up.

 

“Oh, don’t say so. You know, you have to believe before anything comes your way…”

 

I cut her short. “True. But I’m so done, Mommy. I’ve fasted and prayed, but still no admission. For how long will this continue? For how long?” I did my very best to hold back my tears because I knew that would get her upset.

 

Last year I had thought that I’d be among the first people, but guess things don’t really go like you wish it would. I was so enraged not seeing my name on any of the lists, and I was could see my hope of becoming a medical doctor not becoming a reality. I love the medical line so well, and wished for nothing but to be a Paediatrician – as my love for kids was greater than anything. I looked forward to making them happy and making sure all were good, but it seemed my dream college wasn’t making it any easier. I was starting to give up, to the point I hoped that other courses would be given to me, just so I wouldn’t be left behind. I became depressed at a point and kept to myself, not wanting to see the outside world again. I would cry to the mercy of my pillow, and would question God, which I knew wasn’t right.

 

My Mum and siblings wouldn’t stop encouraging me, as they were always there. And most times the little ones would come to me and prophesy all good things in my life – even though they didn’t know what was going on. It was nice having them around, as their presence made me stay strong. I was able to pull through in no time, and my prayer life began coming back again.

 

In the twelfth day of fasting and prayer, I heard a voice. I didn’t want to listen at first, knowing my heart was going to be shattered seeing that word I so detested – ‘not admitted‘. But something kept pushing me, and I was forced to pick up my phone and check – lo and behold the words I had always wanted to see sat magnificently like a king.

 

“Congratulations -” It read. “You’ve been admitted!” I read aloud, getting on my knees, as songs of praise filled my lips.

 

It was the perfect gift I had ever received – and a Christmas miracle indeed!

 

★

 

~ NEVER GIVE UP HOPE ~

 

 

I don’t usually write about myself, but I thought that I should do this. I went through a lot last year, and I also learnt a great deal of lesson from my experience. I hope you do, too, cause I know they’re a lot of people believing God for what their heart desire. And I know that as far as He’s concerned, He’ll make anything you wish become a reality… if only you believe. Have a good night ★