Life is full of problems, but many of them are designed to teach us important lessons that we would not have learned if things had gone our way. However, no one wants to face trial but problems will come from time to time, such is life. The most important thing is how well we got out of them and what were the reasons that makes us hang on until we were able to come out of them.
The challenge
It was Franklin D. Roosevelt who said, "When you come to the end of your rope tie a knot and hang on". Also, remember why you started in the first place. Such was my resolve during the challenge I faced when I first got an admission to study at university.
I had just gained admission into the university after 2 previous attempts and managed to raise the money for the tuition fees. With no one to assist me, I was faced with the challenges of paying for accommodation so that I can settle down in school and face my studies.
With the little money I could afford, I applied for a slot in the school hostel facility, but luck was not on my side. My name was not selected among those who were given bed spaces, not even in the common room.
At this point, it was obvious that I would have to stay back at home and let the admission go again just like the previous attempts. But, I have already paid the tuition fees, I cannot just let the money be wasted.
Nevertheless, I reminded myself of the reason why I chose to get a university education in the first place even when I knew there will be no one to assist me with my fees. With that firmly rooted in my mind, I took the bold step and went to campus without a hope of where I can lay my head after classes.
After two weeks of sleeping in the classroom in the name of reading at night, a coursemate who happened to come for reading one night invited me to stay with him in his rented apartment outside the campus. But, what was the reason that keep me from going back home?
**The reason I kept pushing until a solution came **
I came from a family where no one has ever attended a university, and this was like a shameful thing to my parents when they see our neighbors' children who are studying at a university. None of my elder siblings finished high school except me.
My parents wanted me to break that circle of ignorance in the family and were ready to do all they can to get me a university education.
Unfortunately, I lost both my parents in a most tragic way that still hurts today. My father died of a brief illness in just over 2 days. Two years later, I would have to bear the loss of my mother to yet a brief illness.
While on the sick bed, my mother called me closer and said to me, "No matter how tough life may be for you, ensure that you get yourself educated". Those words were inscribed in my heart and become my greatest motivator.
So, those words were the reason that keeps me hanging on even at the edge of the cliff and gives me the urge to keep being positive when everything around me was negative.
I have to be strong to fulfill my mother's dream for me even though she was no longer alive.
Secondly, I wanted to lay a foundation for education for my younger siblings, and also teach them how being resolute can work for you in time of uncertainties.
Additionally, having a university degree will put me in a good position to get a good job that will enable me to help them financially at their time of needs. These were my compelling reasons for taking on the challenges of getting a university degree.
it was a tough period in my life as a new student on a university campus, but yet, I keep holding strong and being positive, bearing in mind the reason why I started the journey in the first place.
The experience taught me real strength. Usually, we can handle little problems from simple days. But a challenge such as this brings you to the end.
At that moment, I realized how much I needed to rely on God. I need Him to give me favor, faith over fear, and give me strength to fight the storm. That was the right place to be. God created us with the ability to trust in him completely. And this scripture was always in my heart "But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory."
It was the above texts and the like, that strengthened my inner mind which produced energy to keep hanging on until a solution show up. You could call it a miracle, and I think so too.
The picture in the article is mine, and not for use.