In the Potter's Hand

"You are such a disgrace, I will rather go childless than have you as my daughter" Craig said in disgust. Helen had been his only child, due to the complications Dorcas, his wife had during her birth, she had been unable to conceive. After so many years of waiting and trusting God for a miracle, they gave up trying for another child and were grateful for what they had. Helen had been a delight to them, she had always made them proud and she had been an example to the youths in the church. She was brought up in the ways of the Lord and she was receptive to such teaching, over the years she had shown her consistent zeal for the things of God. Apart, from her love and zeal for the Lord, Helen was an outstanding student of one of the prestigious universities in the country, he was looking forward to her graduation which was in a few months.

When she informed him about her engagement to Charles, he was so excited, knowing that he was a spirit filled child of God and had done great exploits for the Lord, despite his age. He thought his daughter was in safe hands and he will eventually handle the mantle of the ministry to him when he is no more. But he was wrong after all.

He looked at his daughter with disgust. "Helen, I raised you in the way of the Lord, sent you to the best schools and ensured you never lacked anything but all you could do in return is to bring shame to this family and to my ministry. Now listen, I can't bear this shame, I can't stand and watch you destroy the reputation I have built over the years and I wont allow you to make mockery of me. I want you to leave my house this minute" said Craig.

Immediately, his wife knelt before him holding his feet crying "Craig, please she's all we've got, she is our only child, please Craig, please". He was moved by his wife's tears, she was right, she is all that they have got but what will the members of his church say, he has been known for not condoning sin among his members, now his daughter has fallen to the act of fornication and now she is pregnant, pregnant out of wedlock. He never thought this could happen to him.

Helen walked down the road, with tears rolling down her eyes. She had failed all those that loved her, she had failed God, her parents, her church members, her friends and herself. She remembered the look on her father's face, all through her life she had never seen her Dad cry, he wished he never had her as a daughter and she can never forget the wailing of her mother as her father sent her packing, she cried as she though she had just lost her daughter, this brought tears to her eyes. She really wished she was never born, she had brought so much sorrow and pain to her parents. And Charles, the thought of him brought sorrow to her heart. She was shocked at his response, after she broke the news of her pregnancy to him, he called her so many names, he said she was an agent from the kingdom of darkness who had been sent to make him fall and destroy his life and ministry. Charles blamed her for what happened to them. She can remember that day vividly when they both fell into sin. She had traveled to Lagos from school after her final exams to give him a surprise visit. He was "surprised" to see her at his office and he couldn't hide his excitement, he introduced her to everyone at his office as his fiancee and she received a warm welcome from everyone. After the close of work, they headed for his place, where he made dinner for both of them. They talked about their future over dinner, after which Helen informed him that she was returning back to school. Charles advised against this and pleaded with her to stay behind since it was late already. At first she was hesitant, but after checking her wrist watch and discovered it was 8:30pm, she decided to stay behind. Everything, went well at first until when their emotions got a better part of their discussion and they where both in each other's arms and "alas" the deed was done. They both cried and asked God for mercy and promised God it will never happen again. She left early the next day, but she noticed Charles was withdrawn after the incidence, he stopped calling her and sometimes won't pick her calls and if he did, he gave excuses of how busy he was at work. She was shocked at his response, after she informed him that she was pregnant, he blamed her for the incidence. She felt so betrayed, Charles was her first love, she was never into the teenage "puppy love", she believed in waiting on the Lord's timing and seeking His face before entering any relationship. When Charles proposed to her she sought the Lord about him and He gave her a go ahead. But now she has destroyed everything, the Lord had promised them a great future together but they had allowed sin to destroy the home the Lord intended to build.

Hannah was awoken by the knock on the door, she wandered who that could be at that time of the night. Suddenly, she heard her grand daughter's voice calling out to her to open the door. Hurriedly she rushed to open the door. "Helen, what are you doing here at this time of the night, did you come alone, where are your parents and why are you crying?" she asked in fear. Helen sobbed as her grandma, asked those questions, she didn't know what to expect from her, she wasn't sure if she will send her away, like others did. Realizing they were both still at the door, Hannah asked her to come in but yet she was full of fear, she hoped the worst had not happened. Suddenly, Helen went on her knees crying "Grandma, Please don't send me away, if you send me away there is no where to go, everyone has left me, my Dad has deserted me because I brought shame to him, please don't leave me too". Hannah was startled by what she said "Craig disowned you, what happened?" Helen told her grandma all that happened.

After Helen told her all that happened, she lost her sleep the best she could do was toss on her bed, She was her first Grandchild and she loved her, of a truth she had disappointed everyone by getting pregnant but that doesn't mean she should be left alone to bear the consequences of her actions. "Lord, I need you to give me wisdom to handle this matter, use me as your instrument of your love for Helen" Hannah said. She kept praying till she fell asleep. Suddenly she woke up, looked around but no one was knocking this time, but she could hear footsteps, she knew it was Helen but she had a nudging in her spirit to check on her. At first, she wanted to ignore the nudge but she decided against it and went to check on her. Hannah, wanted to check her in her room but she felt led to go to the kitchen first. "Helen!!" Hannah screamed when she saw her grand daughter"

To be continued