I NO GO GREE, I NO GO GREE

I was thinking this morning.... It was a cool Saturday morning a few weeks ago. I had been approached by a leader in the organisation I belonged to discuss how to handle the issue of the return of a member to the group after resigning a couple of years ago. What started as a quiet conversation soon got intensed due to our diametrically opposed viewpoints. The room's tranquil atmosphere was disrupted by the heated discussion between myself and this leader. Our voices, usually filled with warmth and compassion, were now laced with conviction and concern.

"We can’t simply welcome him back with open arms," he emphasized, his brow furrowed. I immediately countered, "But we preach forgiveness. If he has genuinely repented, we must extend grace and restore his privileges." The leader's expression remained stern. "Privileges are earned, not handed out like candy," he said. At this point, my voice rose. "E kill person? What exactly is the problem?" I pushed back in frustration.

As the debate raged on, I realised it had shifted from a conversation to an argument. Neither of us was ready to shift our grounds. It seemed we were in a competition to win the argument even as we exchanged determined glances.

At this point, I recalled the words I read in the book 'How To Become A People Magnet.' It says that when you argue to win, you lose your opponent's sympathy. No one really wins an argument. Someone also said recently that communicating is one thing, but your tone while communicating is everything. With that realisation, I pulled back and ended the conversation.

Life should be simple. I no go gree, I no go gree, na im dey tear shirt. My young wife's favourite proverb also comes to mind. She will always say, 'Na person wey argue with King, na im dey kneel down for long.' Time has taught me to avoid engaging in trivial or unnecessary conflicts. Your strength surpasses such trivial battles. True victory isn't just about winning fights and arguments. Winning a fight does not define your worth; you are genuinely valuable. Know this and know peace. Remember Romans 12:18.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

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