fruit of the Spirit

…..I was in my car heading out to for a meeting with my friend Dami and there was a lot of traffic at the Lekki toll. I was frustrated and on the edge as my nanny had wasted my time trying to explain how Tutu’s (my daughter) pajamas’ got stock in the washing machine and how the akara almost torched my kitchen. Nannies need a separate kind of schooling.....

I was super tensed….who knew a 20 minute drive could extend to almost 2 hours. Is Goodluck in town abi bawo, I mustn’t miss this meeting oo. I managed to pass the toll, ope oo, no traffic!! Then this 4Runner comes right at me…….GBOSAA! He ran straight into my fender and did not wait oo. He drove off and gave me the waka sign. Mogbe!! In this Lagos!!! I step on my accelerator, sped past the dude and slammed my brakes. He ran into me again and this time my fender was on the floor. I jumped out of the car, walked straight to the driver…..Pa! Pa!! Pa!!! Three hot slaps without a flinch. I was in rage….I didn’t even bother speaking English…..Oju e fo ni, eni ti o ma pa lo n wa, oti was je gbese!! Bole bole ko wa mo gbese e oo. (are you blind, you are looking for a victim to kill now you have run into debt!! come down and see how much your bill is). As the dude stepped out, I followed him with a slap from behind. He spoke under his voice….'Dear God, why today'. At this point some people had gathered, trying to put together what happened. I picked up my phone and called my husband, then the head of security in the office and finally my mechanic. This dude must be dealt with; I had even forgotten I was trying to get to a meeting.

The head of security was there within minutes, he owed me a favour so I guess he was eager to pay back. He lynched the guy and threw him into his van, hooked the guys’ jeep to his and towed them both away.

I couldn’t condone what had happened but I felt a sense of content when I heard someone say ‘all this reckless drivers should meet mad people like this every now and then’….

I didn’t make it in time for my meeting; in fact, I got there at the end. I apologized to my friend and explained what had happened on my way.

Woman of God!! My friend exclaimed. You always preach about self control and here you are gloating about how you treated someone. He couldn’t have run into you intentionally..

Error you call it! What if he had killed me?

But he didn’t!

What if he had wrecked my car completely?

But he didn’t!!

Woo Mope; are you trying to crucify me?

Why are you getting all upset? I’m only stating the obvious. What have you gained by putting that man in a cell? That won’t fix your car and from what you have told me, you created a scene, what would do to your junior colleague if you find him on the streets of Lekki in the same situation? You slapped a grown man 3 times and you are happy about it. What if he had retaliated and beat you up? Ore, I shouldn’t be the one telling you that you have gone about the whole thing in an improper way.

Hello! Who is this? Mope answers her phone. Oh my God!!! I’m on my way right now.

What is it? Dami asked in anxiety.

The driver just had a seizure and is in the hospital. I need to go…

I’m coming with you. Dami snatched her purse as she head out with Mope.

In the hospital, the driver of the car had been revived but was to be put under surveillance for another 24 hours. Immediately Mope walked in, he shouted ‘stay away from me, evil person’. You almost took our lives.

Ha ha! What is that supposed to mean. You hit and abused me yet you have the audacity to call me evil. Obviously whatever happened at the police station was staged so you could leave abi! I will show you pepper in this Lagos. What do you mean by ‘our lives’?

Calm down Mope, Dami says calmly. He just mentioned it wasn’t just him in the car. Can’t you just hear his side of the story first? Obviously something doesn’t add up.

Thank you madam. The driver says as he tries to sit up. My wife had a tummy ache and she was complaining bitterly, she couldn’t even walk straight so I had to rush her to the hospital. She was lying on the back seat, screaming like a knife was cutting through her skin. As I passed the toll, I didn’t hear her anymore, so on top speed, without thinking, I looked back only to see she had passed out and BOOM!! I hit your friend. I couldn’t wait to explain or start an argument because I didn’t even know if my wife had died. I waved and gestured that she followed me. This I did because the hospital was just at the bend and I could look at the damage as soon as my wife was attended to.

That’s a lie!!! Mope tried to cut in.

Lo and behold, your friend sped past me and slammed her brakes. Before I could blink, she was all cat woman on me. It all happened so fast and before I knew it, we were in a police station. She was not even there. When her police friend saw my wife, on the floor of the car, I guess it worried him, so he checked her pulse and called an ambulance. At that point, I was screaming on top of my voice and next thing, I woke up here.

And your wife? Mope asked more calmly.

She is fine, thank God.

Wow, Mope!! You almost killed two people just because you lost your cool. Imagine the trouble you will be in if the story were otherwise. Anthony (Chief security) too will share in this trouble for trying to help you out.

Well thank God the story isn’t any worse. Mope murmured. I apologize Mr.…..

Smith….Olasunkanmi Smith.

I’m sorry Mr. Smith. I was in a hurry and my maid had upset me plus she ruined my schedule. This doesn't mean you will not fix my car..... I guess today was just a really bad day.......for you I mean.

Chei...Mope Mope. Crazy woman!!

Mope did not exhibit these traits:

GENTLENESS: Gentle strength under self-control. NUMBERS 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)

If she was gentle, she wouldn't have slapped a grown man. Another woman's husband. Haba!

SELF-CONTROL: Holding back or restrain oneself. JOHN 19:10-11

¹⁰ So Pilate said to Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to free you or to crucify you?”

¹¹ Jesus answered Pilate, “You wouldn’t have any authority over me if it hadn’t been given to you from above. That’s why the man who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

She felt she knew people in power that could deal with the driver. What I didn’t add to the story was Mr. Smith was brother to Mope's Managing Director. Who do you think has the upper hand now....

KINDNESS: Ability to show extravagant favor. 2 Samuel 9:1

¹ Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Kindness is far from what Mope had in mind. She had given in completely to the works of the flesh and unfortunately for many of us these days, we do not see this as wrong. Challenges come in various ways and the manner at which we handle each one varies pending on how we allow the fruit of the Spirit flourish in our lives.

Your mindset is critical to exhibiting the Fruit of the Spirit. Philippians 2:4-5

⁴ Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others. ⁵ Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.