MY BIRTHDAY TESTIMONY

So nothing yesterday actually went as planned, but I really did have a great time. I was supposed to travel, I didn't. I went to the studio for nice shots, I got terrible shots (or maybe I'm the one that is not fine enough), hmm.....putting it all together though, I eventually had fun, thank God!

Yesterday was actually a picture of what the last 2 years have been like. Since I dropped my pen as a student for the last time on June 12, 2013, literally nothing (well, almost nothing) has gone as planned; however, at the end of it all, I have every reason to say "blessed be God!" This testimony is about God's faithfulness.

From the moment I passed my final exams, my life seems to have gone on "pause" again & again: from the sudden postponement of our induction to the wait before finally getting a housemanship placement in the Military hospital; the strike halfway through housemanship (hmmm.....strike of life!), the 6-month "home-punishment" by the the Nigerian Army authorities, especially that wonderful Major-General (bless his soul!) and the recent delay in NYSC mobilization. Through all these things, my "personal calendar" has been edited, adjusted, thrown out, picked up, reset, rewritten & ultimately (in utter annoyance) done away with!

Am I writing this to rant and rave & call a pity party? Like Paul said: God forbid! I am writing this to say that in all these things, God is faithful! I once planned to be married before 25 years, be a consultant in OB/GYN before 30 years and leave the medical field by the age of 40 years, like a boss! I became 25 yesterday and I haven't put an engagement ring on her finger yet; I have to conquer NYSC before I can even start the OB/GYN residency program. Maybe I can still do the third one, or maybe not. All that matters now is to be in step with the Master. You see the change? It's no longer about running at top speed to get to specific landmarks, it's about being in prepared places at prepared times with prepared people doing prepared good works. Do I then allow the devil to throw spanners in the works & attribute it to God? A thousand times NO! Anywhere I sense him doing his nasty deeds, I'll hammer him with the Word, because I've had enough!

So, in the last 2 years, I was supposed to finish housemanship & NYSC; I didn't, but I finally finished housemanship Mondays ago with excellent ratings, remarks and lots of favour testimonies & happy stories. Bless God, it feels so good to finally be a medical officer! I was supposed to make a certain amount of money just by going to work & being a conscientious house officer. I don't even want to start about the money, but God has been my provider. Still expecting my remaining money from the Ministry of Defence though! I know they're God-fearing & now Buhari-fearing, they will pay. Amen! I'm supposed to be married, at least according to previous calculations. Well, I'm married to Jesus! And yes, I found a rare gem this last year, I hope to be able to tell you more about her someday soon. Wink wink.

Almost nothing has gone according to my plan. I wouldn't say things went precisely according to His perfect plan either (I'm not that self-deluded). In all these things, however, I can lift up my EBENEZER to my Father, my Helper, my Succour, my Stay and say "thus far You have helped me"!

There are adventures ahead, testimonies to be shared, territories to be conquered, victories to be sung and yes, trials & temptations to face. In all these things, I am more than a conqueror. I am born of God so I have won already. The Holy Spirit, my Helper & my Friend, is in me, spurring me on, leading me into all of the Father's best.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for celebrating me yesterday! Today I celebrate you, God's special treasure; God's righteousness in Christ. I remain yours in Him. Jesutola Obafemi Adewumi (Ayanfe).