Most children have deviated and carry out deadly practices that stun their parents, when discovered. In most homes these days, pornography is commonplace, immorality is full, cult practices are in vogue, guns are hidden under the bed, and most sons are into yahoo-yahoo, yet parents hardly knew.
Thus, on the day Cecilia Thomas, a deaconess at the Lutheran Church of God in Diobu District marked her 73rd with her first son, Edidiong, being unveiled as an Elder, the congregation admitted that the deaconess was truly a ‘Silent Queen’ who raised her children the most perfect method.
Many thus looked up to her methods especially as her husband died early and she was saddled with the task of bringing up two boys and a girl in a place such as Diobu.
When asked to reveal her template, she waved prayer as the key. ‘Some of our women are not with their children in same location. Prayer is the weapon that can reach them wherever they are because God is faithful. Maybe, one day, God will touch and change them. They will come back to the right path.’
What dominated the thanksgiving ceremonies was the fact that the deaconess was the silent type, yet all her children turned out excellently well in character and career.
She disclosed her method: ‘We brought them up in Christ and church culture. They were well taught and they were made to know that whatever we as parents asked them to do, if they did not believe it, they should follow the word of God. So that is why.’
The Mummy showed huge appreciation to the guests and to God that gave a bright weather on a day in September in a rainy region. She said: ‘God is faithful.’
Edidiong Thomas: Children caring for children:
Edidiong Thomas is the first child of the Thomas family. He was made ‘Elder’ on the day her mom was unveiled on her 73rd. Responding to the accolades to her family for being well brought up, he said it’s all about family norms and values.
He emphatically said why children are going astray very much is because their parents are mere children. ‘Children are bringing up children’, he declared.
As a way of advice, he urged parents of today to emulate good models they see around them. ‘Copy from the old time religion, copy those things that had been existing, plus all the norms and values that were there before now. Then imbibe those things into your children.
‘You don’t just say you know because of career. A lot of people are missing the mark. They become too focused on career and then leave the most important thing which is taking care of the children.’
On the double celebration for mother and son, Thomas said he felt happy and elevated for what God has done; being installed as an Elder. ‘Above all, I am happy for what God has done in my life and my family. Today also is my mom’s birthday. I am overjoyed. And then lastly I asked for and prayed for a fair weather and we god it, all day to this moment. So I am extremely overjoyed.’
He admitted that while growing up, they stuck to their parents’ words. ‘I know that children of today appear to be much into Yahoo life, immorality, lack of attention in the class, cultism, etc. Looking at the lives of then and now, the difference seems huge.
‘To me, it’s all about norms and values. As a person and for my family, we held onto norms and values. Apart from that, we were trained and catered for by parents.
‘Most parents are not mature in the spirit, not mature in the head. And then they become influenced by social factors. I also know it’s because of the information that we have today. Then, there was no internet, etc. Exposure was limited. Internet was created to improve life. Some parents can still help their children use it to better their lives instead of using them to be more corrupt than they should be. So, it’s all about norms and values. We were given norms and then we hope that we will also transfer them to the children we are raising.’
Cleric, Oliver Iwoha on why evil men fill govt positions:
Oliver Iwoha, reverend and Port Harcourt District Superintendent of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, Diobu, who hails from in Imo State threw much light in why bad men fill up government positions.
He admitted that churches and community townhall meetings look for best of their best to serve in positions, but said it is not so when it comes to electing persons into office.
The Superintendent, who arrived Diobu back after many years of leaving the District, said: ‘What God requires from us is faithfulness, sincerity, straightforward. But now, what we are seeing today is the opposite. Those in authority will like to bring in those that will do their bidding and cover them and their mistakes. They will not touch people that are sincere and straightforward.
‘The leaders suppress good people and elevate evil persons. They prop up those people that are like them so that they will cover for and protect each other. That is what we see these days. It is not only in Lutheran Church that they seek out good men and women. Other churches do so, too.’
On advice to voters, he urged the society to try the true Christian way; ‘Vote on tested and confirmed people you know. Choose people that are God-fearing. God requires those that are straightforward, sincere, humble, etc. This is because if you elect a leader, he or she must represent you and be accountable.
‘So, look for people that will truly represent you, that will tell you the truth, that will help you, that will lead you and tell you what the government is all about. It should not be people that will turn round to silence you.’
He mentioned Peter Obi as one of those loved by the ordinary people but said those in authority seem to fear him. ‘Today in Nigeria, politicians have used money to buy and deceive the people. During election, they will begin to share money to people, an end up blind their eyes.
‘Now the people will no longer see the good people that are straightforward, people that can represent them fully. Because of that money that they will eat today, tomorrow that money will not be there. The people that can serve may not have that particular money, but they are ready.
‘We know a man that is very ready and prepared to serve as President but they would not allow him because of his straightforwardness. They fear he may expose the rot in government.’
Throwing back, he said he arrived the previous evening only to learn that the family his co-minister left behind was doing double celebration. He talked about his journeys from Diobu to Owaza (Abia State) to Enugu, Bayelsa, etc, and now to Diobu as head.
‘Upon return here, I was officially notified that Sister, Deaconess Cecilia Thomas, and her son, Edidiong Thomas, would have great thanksgiving. Incidentally, the late husband of the woman was the one that I took over from as a lay preacher in Owaza 1987. Today, I am here witnessing the 73rd year of his wife who actually was behind the success of man as family head. Here now, we are receiving and celebrating them as our Elder and Deaconess; and to work with them here in the church.
From what he knew about them, he drew some lessons for young mothers and today’s children. ‘Yeah, like I said, the late Bro Moses Thomas was a dedicated and agile minister. Every Sunday, he would travel from here in Diobu Port Harcourt to Owaza in Abia State to conduct church service until I was sent. The wife was very supportive.
‘She is a straightforward woman, very dedicated, humble, and sincere. I know her very well as a strong member in the Women Fellowship. I was happy when I arrived yesterday, I was informed that she has been installed a Deaconess in this church. The son was very young those days.
‘To the glory of God, today, both mother and son are now Deaconess and Elder in our midst; and I am privileged to work with them. It’s a blessing, and honour, and also a responsibility.’
He regretted that the hunt for money has caused distraction for families but that the deaconess is very humble.
‘I advise women to emulate her humility. She is respectful and dedicated. Dedication is always expected in this work. When you dedicate yourself, people will see, because it was as a result of her dedication that the people at home saw that dedication, saw the humility and faith, and they picked her to be a Deaconess.
‘In the same way, our brother, Edidiong, was found to be dedicated and humble and sincere, and they picked him and made him and Elder. So, that can serve as a lesson to young people to realise that people are watching them, especially in the body of Christ. They must learn that when you are dedicated, when you know your work, when you are sincere and straightforward, God and the body of Christ will find you and use you. All that God wants from us is dedication, straightforwardness, sincerity. That is also what will take us to heaven.’