A SPLENDID NEW YEAR DAY

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The first day into the year was a glamorous and well celebrated day. I couldn't make it to the normal cross over night prayers at a church centre because my family travelled for a long distance journey that took them plenty hours as if they were going outside Nigeria. They almost spent more than 18 hours just on the bad Nigerian roads that ought to be a less than 8hours journey. Another challenge that prolonged the journey was that the driver pick a different route thinking was shorter than the normal one because it's night and security challenges. Hmmm that was exactly what caused the delay but thank God they arrived safely finally on 30th December,2023 in the morning. Guess what? My people were so stressed therefore I had to humble myself and share in the fellowship of the stress lols. This led them to start getting refreshed on the 31st hmmm the son of man couldn't go anywhere for the cross over again instead I did it right inside my sitting room.

I got knocked off with the sleep so I couldn't stay awake till pass 12am to welcome the new with a shout but I indirectly did it with a deep sleep hahaahahaha. When it was 30minutes pass 12am that was when I woke up and suddenly my landlord's with his family returned from the cross over prayers with uncontrollably shout happy new year! Happy new year!! Happy new year!!! I stood up and replied them too and exchange our first pleasantries for the year. I thought that was all to usher in the year but after few hours, my ear drum almost got affected by the noise, movements of people, motorbikes, knocked out, guns, fire works etc every creature was trying to thank God for a successful triumphant entry. I managed to control myself till the dawn of the day.

My new year service was billed for 7am I had to wake up earlier before that time hmmm with cold I managed to go to church for service. I must confess that the service was something else, in fact it's a pointer that the new year will be a great year indeed. We were anointed as a mark of exemption, preservation, protection and breakthrough. This really made me start the year on a good note. One of the things I enjoyed about was my family. I had quality time with them though I couldn't take them out for sight seeing but I have that in view. It wasn't all about eating and drinking as others normally celebrate theirs but for me it was a deep moment for reflection, studying and tidying up the year plan. I saw that day as a portal, doorway and channel through other months, days, weeks into the year therefore I never took it for granted.

Aside having time with my family I also received a lot of gifts in different perspective but majority was messages on my WhatsApp while others were text messages. Immediately after the church service, there is a yearly programme we normally have in our village every first day of the year. My wife and I are the convener where young, old and the likes come together to seek God's face for grace to through the year. For this year it was something else because we recorded the highest attendance since the inception of this programme. Many people's life was touched and affected positively to God's glory. The programme ended around 7pm where my wife and I tidy up the venue and left. It was stressful though but the first goal of the year achieved which gladdens our heart. It was indeed a splendid new day for me.

This is my entry in response to the week 96 edition 1 of the contest in this community. Thanks for all comments and even as you read through.