BARE (2023)
“Miss Winifred, you have the stage” I faintly heard the MC call out to me.
With a racing heart and trembling hands, my eyes glanced at the notification on my home screen.
“Winifred, be calm yet confident.
You’re not alone.
God’s with you, never forget that.
I love you so much and I am proud of you already.”
I smirked. It was from my closest friend, Glory.
I gazed upon the crowd, all of them sitting and waiting on what I had to offer as their editor-in-chief. Some with grins on their faces, others with a smile and maybe a few with no expression.
Half excited, half scared to death but there was something incredibly humbling and beautiful about this moment.
As I walked through my presentation, starting with an interesting story of Sand, Sun and Surprises, then to my track records. I made a verbal slip-up by calling my friend’s name. I continued regardless like nothing happened.
The five minute presentation was done. The hall was full. I was intrigued. ‘Did I just talk to all these people?’ I thought to myself. It seemed like everyone in the school was there to witness two women with big aspirations for a post. I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline right there, not feeling my feet.
There was this particular scenario, I have been wanting to share with you for the longest time.
So, I was asked a question from one of the judges on the high table.
She asked, “Let’s say a Coca-cola company comes to meet you, the editor-in-chief, to advertise their brand
seeing that you’re a dental student, how do you intend to go about this collaboration?”
After the first aspirant had answered. The MC handed the mic to me and I answered
Coming back from dental school after an 8–5 of classes, labs and clinics, one is expected to be exhausted and drained from all of it, on my way to my hostel, I walk to a nearby canteen and buy a cold bottle of coke. Ensuring the drink does not touch my teeth, I will raise it slightly so it slides down my throat without touching my teeth.
It was funny because I was trying to explain to them by demonstrating.
trust me, I looked like a clown.
After the manifesto had ended, I got back to my room, hurriedly went to a senior’s room and told her what I was asked, she told me the answer and explained to me why. (I will be talking about this in my next article) It will be nice to share with you.
It’s becoming clearer and clearer to me that picking up the form was never just about becoming an editor in chief, but that it is a new epoch to what God is doing in my life.
I have thought of every word that could sum up this year, the word that I found expression was ‘bare’ and it took me right to the creation story.
Genesis 1(AMP) In the beginning God(Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth.
Verse 2 says, The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
At the start of the year, there was a certain wave of emptiness and fear, as though there was nothing to look forward to.
The beautiful thing about this verse, it didn’t stop at the universe being empty or formless, it goes ahead to say
The Spirit of God was moving ( hovering, brooding)
That God was moving meant that he didn’t stop for one second. It was continuous.
The word brooding struck me and I found it really interesting to see.
A brief etymological google of brood said: to think deeply about something that makes one unhappy or worried.
The Origin of brood is “brod”, an old English word of Germanic origin; the verb was originally used with an object, i.e. ‘to nurse(feelings) in the mind’ a figurative use of the idea of a hen nursing chicks under her wings.
Notice the figurative use, “A hen nursing chicks under her wings”.
Not once did I feel his absence. Every single phase of my life happened right under his wings and he proved himself as God over and over again. This year God taught me a lot of things, I can’t say for a fact that I have a full hold of them but I know that I am still learning and growing.
But of what significance is bare? To be naked, uncovered. To be seen without covering or embellishment, to be unadorned.
Even though it was overwhelming and quite stressful this year, I thought to myself, “As unadorned as the universe was, God made something beautiful and he is still doing great stuff”
My faith tells me the creation story happened in the beginning which means God is just starting with me. I am amazed by the wonderful things he is doing in my life.
Still on the creation story.
Genesis 1;3 says And God said, “Let there be LIGHT” and there was LIGHT.
4; GOD saw that the LIGHT was GOOD (pleasing and useful) and he affirmed and he sustained it; and God separated the light [distinguishing it] from the darkness.
This is my story about 2024. The next phase of my life is LET THERE BE LIGHT. It won’t stop here. God affirms and sustains it in 2024.
I thank God for a wonderful year and most of all I thank him for the good people he placed by me.
I wouldn’t be ending this without thanking you, my readers. I thank you for sticking with me and allowing me to be your favorite writer.
Have a wonderful 2024!
