A Nigerian man has taken to social media to share a poignant story about his devout mother, who turned down a job offer of ₦200,000 with opportunities to travel the world because it conflicted with her church worship schedule. This heartfelt revelation comes as a reflection on his late mother’s unwavering commitment to her faith, which has resonated deeply with many on social media.
The son, now reminiscing about his mother’s life, detailed her unyielding dedication to her religious beliefs in a moving post on his X page. He described a particular incident where his mother was interviewed for the role of chief chef at Lounge 38 in Surulere. Despite excelling in the interview process and impressing the interviewers, she ultimately rejected the position due to its scheduling conflicts with her religious obligations. “My mom asked about the work hours, and they clashed with our ‘Hour of Freedom’ on Fridays and ‘Evangelical Revival’ on Tuesdays. She also wouldn’t be able to go to church early on Sundays because she’d be busy preparing meals,” he explained. Ultimately, she declined the job because it “wouldn’t give her time for God.”
The son expressed deep admiration for his mother’s devotion, stating, “When I talk about how devoted my mom was to God, it seems exaggerated, but she was a woman whose life was a true Christian template.” He emphasized that her choices were rooted in her steadfast faith and dedication to her spiritual commitments. Tragically, he revealed that she passed away from breast cancer in March 2021, leaving a profound impact on his life and beliefs. “I felt a deep anger toward God for over a year after her death,” he shared candidly. “If God prioritized saving people, my mom should have been at the top of that list, because she lived her faith completely.”
In addition to her spiritual commitment, he further highlighted her good deeds, recalling how she would confront gossip by inviting the person being discussed to share the same story in front of others, which discouraged gossip around her and promoted transparency. He also noted her integrity and sense of responsibility, saying, “If my mom forgot to pay a bus conductor, she would hold onto the fare until she ran into him again.” This illustrates not only her honesty but also her dedication to doing the right thing, no matter how small.
As he reflected on the consequences of his mother’s choices, he questioned the balance between faith and productivity. “Being a Christian is one thing; being a foolish one is another. You can’t spend all your time in church and vigils and expect to be productive. If my mom had taken those job offers, she might still be alive today.” This statement reveals a deep conflict many face between their spiritual commitments and the practicalities of everyday life, prompting a thoughtful discourse among his followers.
His post sparked a flood of comments from concerned individuals who shared their thoughts on the complexities of faith and life choices. Many users expressed empathy and shared their own experiences, highlighting the common struggle of balancing religious commitments with personal and professional responsibilities.
See some reactions below:
@Onyi_Apeh: “I once scheduled an interview for a lady. She called 10mins past the scheduled time to shift the time by an hour because she needed to run an errand for her pastor…the errand was domestic chores for the pastor’s wife.”
@Snooww001: “So sorry about your loss 😞 I don’t know what I will do without my mom. But currently she’s sick and I feel so scared. Woke up this morning feeling uneasy. Please help me pray for her.”
@Idenyi01: “The funny thing is there is handful of this story in every corner of the country.”
@DelegatedOnyema: “I failed woefully in my college days in ASCETA because I would rather attend church programmes on consecutive days than prepare for tests and exams.”
@EgwuomVictor: “I think many Christians view their relationship with God as being in church. You can go to church once or twice a week and have a strong personal relationship with God. But many people feel they must be in church before their prayers start counting.”
@Lemi_Makwo: “Just last two months, my colleague’s girlfriend turned down a job because she was required to work Monday to Saturday and apparently she won’t have time for midweek service and choir as she holds positions in the church. She’s still jobless as I type. These issues are real.”
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