“The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in His way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. If he stumbles, he’s not down for long; God has a grip on his hand” (Psalms 37:23-24, MSB).
Hello, happy people! It’s a good time to ask how you’re doing, and also congratulate you for seeing the last Tuesday in November. We’ve looked forward to it, and now, it’s here! By this time next week, the last month of the year would have rolled in, and we will certainly be a part of it because He loves us💃💃💃.
Beyond the weekly routine, this is a sincere note. I am always amazed at the feedback I get from you every week, and that of last week was particularly overwhelming. I’d like to believe that you shoved the worrying weight aside already, it’s not worth your energy. You are coming out stronger, wiser, and happier! Once again, thanks for returning!
Alright, let’s get to meet Dinah! I know someone must have raised a brow on sighting the topic, like “Loving Dinah ke?” Let me translate that: “What do you mean by Loving Dinah? Of all the people in the world! Is it not the same Dinah that we read of or heard of in Bible class, our no-go area, the Dinah that did this and that…?”
I know you are already calling her out and opening up her book of offences. I can understand your concern, and it’s absolutely fine. But, yes, it’s that same Dinah I’d have you take a second look at! Now, you asked, “What for, what’s there to love about her?” I’ll see to answering that question. Let’s have her introduce herself, first.
I am Dinah Jacob, the daughter of Leah, raised in a polygamous home with 12 brothers. Being the only daughter in the family, I was the precious princess of the house. My father’s joy, and my mother’s pride. I enjoyed my brothers’ fiery protectiveness. I had everything I wanted at my beck and call, and I lacked nothing. My life was that of ease and bliss.
All my life, I had no business stepping out of the four corners of my father’s comfort. And if I ever did, it would be in the company of my brothers. That space was my whole world for a very long time, and I never complained.
As I grew older, I wondered if there was more to the world than my immediate environment. I started to crave stepping out to see what the outside looked like. For some time before I made my move, I had been seeing the daughters of the land we lived in passing by, in all their radiance and beauty.
As the only girl in the family, I felt it was high time I got myself friends. Yes, my brothers have been trying their best in keeping me company. But I saw the need to be among people of my gender, and my age group at that. The girls I have been seeing seemed like cool people, so there was no harm in trying to make new friends. Besides, I have always been a love child, so there was no point in being overly conscious of danger.
Not to bore you with many stories, I eventually stepped out of my home to visit the girls. Of course, I had no one accompanying me. I spent time with them, and it felt like I was in a safe space. They were very accommodating, and I felt welcomed. Many of the things we discussed were quite new to me, but I managed to take it all in and just observe quietly.
While I was still with the girls, I caught the fancy of a young man, who I later found out was the prince of the land. He was all shades of handsomeness, and I could not help but love the attention I was getting from him. He had all the right words and sweet compliments. My love tank had always been full, and it spilled right before I could watch it!
The more I spent time with him, the more I wanted to be with him. I would say I eventually overstayed my welcome because when the danger signals started coming, I was too naive to pick them and make a safe move out. I would never have thought that this nightmare would be my reality. Now, look at me, a shadow of myself because of a costly mistake I made!
If you wonder why I’ve been speaking in the past tense, my happy realities have become a thing of the past. I have become a laughing stock in the community, an object of shame and disgrace. I cannot even walk freely on the streets without people pointing fingers at me.
When sighting a bad example, the first name that comes to people’s mouths is mine. I feel like the whole world is against me, even my family hates me. A whole community was even wiped out for my sake. Oh, how I wish I was never born! I just want to forget I ever came to the world, ending my life is the only way out of this terrible situation I have found myself in.
Hmmm, don’t you just feel sorry for Dinah? Her life already seems like hell on earth. Take a look at that lady slipping into depression. Her shoulders are down, and she isn’t even willing to lift her head to face the world. She hasn’t spoken up in a long time because shame wouldn’t let her. I mean, how would she even get to speak and call for help when all she has been getting are judgments?
Dinah is that lady around you that everyone thinks has fallen from grace. No one wants to have anything to do with her. Her family members would rather have her hide than show her off since they see her as a source of shame. She has been living with pain and regrets. Her hope of ever rising seems to have been cut off, and she has accepted her fate of forever being in the dark space.
But, take a guess! Grace has found Dinah. She is no longer defined by her past mistakes. She knows better now, and she wants to do better. There is a chance for her to heal, rise to her feet and get her life back on track. Yes, the scars will likely remain, and she will always remember where she was coming from.
However, there’s a chance for her to remember and no longer be bitter about the whole thing. There is a chance for her to live a renewed life, a life of gratitude after being free from all the hurt and pain she’s tightly holding on to.
Now, this is where you come in. You are on a mission of reconciliation. So, you can help Dinah start a new life, first by not joining the train of people that have been giving judgments. In any capacity that you are in to reach out, help her to see a ray of hope, for the first time in a long time.
She is already in a bad state, the least you can do is not make it worse. Why should you still hold on to her past when a new story is already being written about her? A story of hope, a story of forgiveness, a story of redemption, a true love story! Don’t forget to pray for her, she really needs it. Does she need to see a professional? Help her get on that journey.
She has been a bad point of reference for a long time, and it will remain in history. However, more chapters can be added to the book. The latter chapters of the book will be better than the former, she is stepping out as a wiser and beautified version of herself. She will find her voice again, and she will stand before the influential people of the world to share her story. She will be known by all, and she will be so powerful that nothing breaks her again!
Thanks for joining me in making a commitment to reach out to Dinah in love🙏. I’ll see you again in December✌. ️
4 comments
Am sincerely blessed may your spirit never loose taste for the breads of the holy spirit amen.
God bless you and
Am forwarding this
Amen🙏
I’m so happy to know that you’ve been blessed. Thanks for forwarding the post.
Hmmm. These words are really soothing and it’s targeting everyone that points a judgment finger. Thank you for opening our eyes on how to love dinah, may your grace not dwindle🙏🏾
Amen
Thank you so much, Jesufemi❤️.