Later in the day there was a knock on my door, I opened the door and it was Pastor and his wife.

“Daddy and Mummy, you are welcome.”

“Thank you Judy. How are you?”

“Daddy, I am not fine.”

“It is obvious. I didn’t see you in church today. Even when I called your phone, you didn’t answer the phone call. What is the matter?”

“Daddy, you told me that it is written, that if the son of God sets me free, I am free indeed.”

“Of course. That is in the book of John 8:36.”

“You also told me that it is written that if I be in Christ, I am a new creature that old things have passed away.”

“Yes. The book of 2 Corinthians 5:17 states that clearly.”

“If that is the case, why is my past following me around like shadow? Every good step I took in the church was misunderstood and misinterpreted. Daddy I’m confused. Just this morning, my Sunday school student announced to the entire class that her mother said that I am a thief. As I stepped out of children department, another child was pointing at me and calling me a thief.”

“What! Has it gotten to that level,” Mummy exclaimed.

“Yes Mummy. I had to go through the stress of explaining to babies that I used to steal but now, I steal no more. That made me emotionally traumatized. The truth is that I am tired. I need a break from the church, the members; everyone should just leave me alone. I will start a new life; may be joining another church will stop my past from hunting me.”

“Sister, I understand how you feel but listen to this: Though human beings have let you down, God will never fail. I will not be happy if you leave church under this condition. If you do, whenever any member see you, they will still remember that you stole. You were disgraced in that church so you have to stay until you are glorified. I have a strong feeling that God will do something that will wipe away every reproach in your life. By the time God visits you, those that laughing at you now will turn around to laugh with you.”

As Pastor was talking, I was weeping. I had almost gotten to a breaking point.

“Wipe your tears and listen to me. I have an assignment for you. Tonight, from 12:00AM to 4:00AM, you will cry unto God. Tell God to reveal to you his purpose for your life. I will pray along with you from my house. Tomorrow, we shall meet in my office by 6:00PM for further discussion.

Pastor’s visitation reanimated me and I decided to throw my whole strength into the assignment he gave me. I started by 10:00PM with songs of worship unto God. This phase lasted till 12:00AM. Afterwards, I launched into prayer. I rounded off the prayers by 4:00AM according to Pastors instruction, and lay down to sleep. Then, I had a dream.

In the dream, I attended a seminar. At the end of the morning session, the organizers announced that anyone that has testimony should come and register their names while others should proceed on 30 minutes break. I went outside and sat under a tree, to receive fresh air. While sitting there, a man came to meet me.

“Sister, have you registered your name for the testimony?”

“Which testimony?” I asked.

“Don’t you know that topic of the afternoon session of the seminar?”

“I know the topic: ‘Life changing Testimony’ How does it concern me?” I asked absentmindedly.
“It concerns you because you had an encounter that turned your life around for good. You have to testify about it so that other people’s lives will change positively too. This afternoon session

was organized because of you; go in there and register your name as a testifier. You are the only testifier, anyway. The topic of your testimony is: ‘I was a thief, but now, I steal no more’.”

I woke up suddenly.

“Could God be asking me to go and announce to the world that I am a thief? That is simply a suicide mission; an impossible task,” I thought.

I met with Pastor the next day in his office. He asked if I did the prayer sand I answered in affirmation. He also asked if I had any revelation while I was sleeping. I told him yes and narrated it to him.

“Thank you father, for the confirmation of your word. Sister Judy, I believe you understand what God want you to do.”

“Hmm daddy there is a bit of confusion about that revelation. Are you in support that I should go and be telling people that I am a thief?”

“No the message is that you were stealing in the past but now you are a child of God. The power of God has set you free.”

I was not convinced by pastor’s explanation. The news of my stealing was spreading like wild fire even when I tried to hide it. How would it be I went out by myself to announce it? Another was that I had heard people say that one’s a thief is always a thief. This means that people will always see you as a thief, even when you claim to have repented. I told daddy that, but he refuted that claim.

“That is a lie from the pit of hell; a trick from the devil to keep people in perpetual bondage. Remember that the reason the son God was made manifest was for the work of the devil to be destroyed. Sister Judy, will you allow God to use you to his own glory? Will you make yourself a useful instrument in the hands of God?”

“Daddy, this is an impossible task.”

“There is no impossibility with God. I will advise that you go home and pray seriously over this matter. Next Sunday is our fellowship meeting; other branches of our church will be in attendance. I want you to testify of the miracle that God performed in your life. You have 3 days to pray about it. In the 4th day which is Friday, you will give me your response. Is that okay by you?”

“It is okay daddy, thank you sir.”

“Let me pray with you.”