by Charity Omenka

Created on: December 02, 2009

When I was about 6 years old, my teenage aunt lived with us. She was really fun to be with; she would make silly faces, dance and sing in a manner guaranteed to draw laughs from my siblings and me. Sometimes, she will line us all up and we would dance round the house, singing at the top of our voices. She was great and we loved her.

One day, during our usual morning devotion, my father, who is a strict disciplinarian, talked to us about fornication. He explained that it was an act that really displeased God, how does who engage in it will end up in hell fire for sure. He said that it was one sure way to mess up one's life in on earth and in the hereafter. 'Sadly', he continued, 'young boys and girls do it before they get married.'

By the end of the devotion, I was close to tears. Seeing my distress, my father asked what the matter was. I replied, 'you said fornication is bad and anyone that does it will go to hell fire'; 'yes', my dad affirmed. 'That means Aunty Mary will go to hell, because she is always committing funnication'.

I and my dad had a long talk. Afterwards, I didn't know what the word 'fornication' meant but I sure knew what it didn't mean.

Now, with my kids, I try to use words they can understand when we are having devotions. I also paint a lot of scenarios to help them understand life's key lessons, as I don't want these times to be boring for them.

The other day, the story was about Solomon's wisdom. One day, while he was sleeping, God appeared to him and said 'Solomon, ask me what you want me to give you.' Solomon asked for wisdom to lead the Israelites rightly.

I tried to explain to them why Solomon made a very good decision in asking for wisdom. 'You see, children, when you choose wisdom, you get not only that, but wealth, honor and long life as well'. I struggled to explain further. 'When you acquire wisdom, you get everything that wisdom has. On his feet, wisdom is wearing long life and on his back, he has honor. Who can tell me what wisdom is holding with his hands?' 'Meeee' chorused my 3-year and 7-year olds together. I pointed to the three year old. 'Books', she said simply.

As a parent, my work is cut out for me.

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