And Sophia Cried

 

I was thinking this morning.... Last week Saturday, I was privileged to be the guest speaker at a graduation and Prize-giving ceremony of Havilah Gold School, a private secondary school at Epe, Lagos. There were speeches followed by academic and cultural presentations by the students. Great atmosphere it was. The high point was the presentation of awards to deserving students.

From one best in this to best in that, the roll call went on with loud rounds of applause. A young female student, Sophia Adeleke, sitting on the second row, watched her classmates being called upstage one by one. She was quiet, head looking to the floor, probably feeling the pangs of disappointment yet again and wondering when in this life, it will be her turn to be called for recognition and award.

Then she heard it 'And the award for the Best Improved Student in Junior Secondary goes to.... Sophia Adeleke.' There was a loud gasp from the students that drew the attention of everyone to poor Sophia. Sophia's jaw dropped. Her? Best Improved Student? She was confused. Did she just hear her name? She looked around, just to be sure, bowed her head and started crying. Everyone clapped, but Sophia was too paralysed by surprise to find her feet. With the support of her friends, she finally stood up, trembling, and with more tears rolling down her face, she slowly made her way to the podium.

Almost moved to tears myself, I imagined what could be running through the mind of the little girl. She was probably used to being at the bottom of her class. People may have called her 'never-do-well.' She may have waited for years to be recognised like others, but it never happened. She has accepted that nothing good can happen to her.

There are so many 'Sophia' out there that have waited all their lives to be recognised and awarded on any stage. They watch others every week climb up the altar and testify of one breakthrough or another and wonder, 'when will it be my turn.' It seems as if everything good passes them by, and they wonder why. The experience of Sophia Adeleke gave me hope that good things can happen to anyone. Give your best in all things, and 'Sophia' may just happen to you. Romans 4:18 - 'Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become...' Only believe.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey