CAR TROUBLE...OR BLESSING?

CAR TROUBLE ….OR BLESSING?

I needed to get to town for a meeting and thankfully had a car I could use to make my journey faster and more convenient. Of all the days however, this car chose not to start! I called a few friends of mine, since I did not know what exactly to do, and they were there in minutes to help out. The car eventually did start, and I thought I could pull a fast one, dash to town and get back before it pulled another stunt on me. Well the car, and let me say God, had other plans!

About fifteen minutes into the drive and after a short prayer, the car’s engine gave out once again! Even worse was where it stopped.....right in the middle of an outer lane at a busy traffic light. Dejected, I just stepped out, not knowing what to do once again. Little did I know that this was yet another opportunity to learn some valuable life lessons.

Some of the sellers nearby found their way to me, asking what had happened. This included one I had met and spoken to a few months ago, and who I had completely forgotten about. Almost every one of the sellers wanted to help in their own way, with one willing to leave his wares to go and find me a mechanic, whilst a few others offered to help push the car to a safer location, and others just standing around to keep me company.

Feeling a bit at ease, I tried to make a few calls before spotting a police officer heading towards me on a motorcycle. “I’m definitely in trouble”, I thought to myself. Stopping right where the car was, he got down to ask what the issue was. I later realized my fears were unfounded, as he proved to be very supportive and resourceful throughout the period of time I was stranded. Quite a number of truths hit me that I would like to share with you today.

·         Treat everybody right, for you never know when you will need them.

It was amazing how quickly my friends came around in the first instance of car trouble, and how willingly they did everything they could to help me out. It reminded me of how important each and every one is in their own way and of the truth that you never know when you will need someone, and in what circumstances their help may prove beneficial.

·         There are still helpful people out there.

Ranging from the sellers to the police officer to even a few concerned people who were in traffic, I had a refreshing reminder of the general helpful attitude of Ghanaians. It was good to know that this warm attitude is still dished out in huge doses. I never for a moment, during that period, felt alone or lost, thanks to the warm company I had.

·         You never know who remembers you or what impact you have made.

One of the sellers clearly remembered me, even though I could hardly recall where we had met. He reminded me of our brief encounter some weeks back, which had left him blessed. This was a humbling reminder of the truth that the little we do for others could go a long way to make someone’s life a bit better. Even more startling was the reminder that we need to be careful what we do…in this case, I was remembered for a good thing. But what if I had been rude or done something untoward? No doubt, it would not have been forgotten for a long time.

·         Be knowledgeable.

I was clueless about how to charge a car battery or even where a car’s alternator is located! Due to my lack of knowledge, I was absolutely helpless. Though this situation taught me a few more things about cars, I chided myself for not bothering to learn about these things that seemed so basic to my friends (who were guys). If you are a lady reading this, do not leave all the ‘handy’ stuff to the guys. You never know when you may need to change a car tyre or charge a car battery!

·         GOD orders our steps.

Above all, I learnt that when we commit our plans to the Lord, He has the last word, for our own good. I could not get to my destination after all, and even though I initially felt disappointed for ‘wasting’ most of my day, I realized that I had learnt some pretty great lessons I may not have been able to learn any other way. God always knows the best step for us to take, and we need to learn to fully trust Him.

Eventually, the car did get fixed, but not before I learnt a few things the hard way in the hot Ghanaian sun.

Let us learn to keep our eyes open. That seemingly uncomfortable situation could just be another opportunity to be blessed!

*A special dedication to my three special friends, who know themselves :-)

You are a blessing and may God continue to use you to be a blessing to others!

GHANA MAN BLUES 13

Esiaba and Fiifi, Dede, Nana Yaa, Lanre and Mrs. Jones Snr. all meet up at the hospital to support Nii and Naa in what seems to be a crisis. Missed out on Episode 12? Catch up on ghblessed.blogspot.com/2016/11/ghana-man-blues-12.html?m=1

And now the curtains fall on Ghana Man Blues with Episode 13:

EPISODE 13

It had been three years since that night when Nii had almost lost his wife and beautiful daughter, who they had named Nhyira Jones, defying their Ga roots. That baby was just a miracle that had brought so much joy to the Jones household. Nii had decided to renew his marriage vows to his wife, and was waiting for her to walk towards him, through the pathway they had created in their lovely back garden. They had moved into a new home and had taken a firm decision to enjoy every single day they had together. That night at the hospital had put a lot of things in perspective for Nii, and he quickly brushed away a tear that was threatening to tarnish his manly image, before turning to see his beautiful wife walk towards him….

Naa could not believe how far she had come. She had almost given up that night when she was in labor with Nhyira, and wondered why God had allowed her to go through so much pain over the years. God had however come through for her in the end, and she knew that she and her daughter were a living testimony of His goodness. She looked around as she walked towards her husband, with her bubbly daughter ahead of her walking excitedly towards her father, in a white flowery dress. Naa felt so much warmth as she caught a glimpse of those who were present; all those she loved, including Dede, Nana Yaa and Lanre, Fiifi and Esiaba and Lanre’s adopted son, John the Great. She managed to give her mother-in-law, Mrs. Jones Snr. a smile as well, making a decision to leave what was in the past behind….

Nii and Naa’s renewal of vows just made Lanre think. He had finally allowed himself to admit the true reason why he did not take the job offer outside. He briefly glanced at Nana Yaa before realizing she had stolen a glance at him too. She boldly slipped her hand in his, ignoring John the Great who was making funny, teasing noises at Lanre and Nana Yaa from behind. Lanre suppressed a smile before squeezing Nana Yaa’s hand in silent response. He had finally made his decision….

New love for her daughter arose in Dede’s heart, as she watched Naa Aku walk towards Nii with their three year old daughter in the lead. She felt grateful to finally have her daughter Safoa with her, without any fear. The custody battle had ended abruptly when Something Different suddenly passed away from an illness he had apparently been battling with for years now. How he gathered the energy to have been attacking Dede so much, still beat her understanding. He apparently needed to gain custody of Safoa, so he could look like a responsible parent in order to get a decent job that could help him cater for his medical bills. All that was in the past now; Dede sighed as she realized that what mattered the most was that she could start her life afresh….

John the Great just looked around, overwhelmed by how it felt to be truly surrounded by family. He had never known that so many people who were born of different parents could be as close-knit as he had seen these people be.

John had started an NGO that helped to make sure those on the streets got at least two warm meals every day, as well as an opportunity to learn a vocation. He could not have done it without Lanre, who had been of tremendous help over the past few years. John had decided to put his political desires on hold for now, and was about to congratulate Nii and Naa, when Esiaba and Fiifi caught his attention. These Danquahs were something else, with Esiaba always giving Fiifi one reason or another to laugh.

“Love indeed makes the world a better place.” John chuckled to himself….

Nii and Naa, Dede, Lanre and Nana Yaa, Fiifi and Esiaba, as well as John the Great held hands in a circle, reminiscing on good times, whilst Safoa and Nhyira were in a world of their own in the center of the circle. Esiaba volunteered to round everything off with a prayer:

“Thank You Lord for how far You’ve brought us, through the good and bad times, and for the fact that You have brought us here for a reason. Thank You for reminding us that it’s great to be Ghanaian, and that no matter the Blues that the Ghanaian man goes through, You’ll be there through it all….”

Everyone shouted a big AMEN in response, before Nhyira caught their attention by repeatedly saying “Ghana Man Bluueeeeesssss”, amidst laughter.

THE END

*What are the lessons we have learnt over all from this series in the past thirteen weeks?

*What does Nii and Naa’s new attitude towards life teach us?

*What do we finally learn about not forgetting to give thanks to God when all is said and done?

A heartfelt thank you just cannot sum up the gratitude I feel for all those who have supported me in diverse ways, no matter how big or small. Thank you for everything, and for your role in making Ghana Man Blues a success. Together, we can indeed Change the Status Quo and make Ghana a better place. Please help me spread the word, and also like our Facebook page on  https://m.facebook.com/ChangingTheStatusQuo

Thank you and God richly bless you!

GHANA MAN BLUES 12

Mrs. Jones Snr. tries to make amends with her son; Something Different seems to be in some trouble, and so does Naa Jones. Missed out on Episode 11? Catch up on ghblessed.blogspot.com2016/10/ghana-man-blues-11.html?m=1
With just one more Episode to go, what happens next?

EPISODE 12
Nii was frantic and blindly rushed to his room when he heard Naa scream. Something was very wrong and he had to act fast. Naa had grown pale and was sweating even more profusely than she was a few moments ago.
“Nii, please do something!” she said desperately.
He said nothing in response, but instead grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and lifted his wife up before locating his slippers and car keys. He had to get his wife of almost six years to the hospital as soon as possible. He just could not afford to lose her.


“Hello”, Esiaba responded sleepily, before sitting up and shaking Fiifi awake. She handed the phone to him and quickly got out of bed.
“Hello?” Fiifi said, confused.
“Fiifi, I need you and Esiaba right now. Something is wrong with Naa.”
Fiifi rubbed his eyes in an attempt to be alert, before responding “We’ll be there as soon we can.”
He had never heard his friend Nii sound so afraid before.
“Wait, what hospital again?” Fiifi quickly asked before realizing Nii had hung up….


“Dede!”  Nana Yaa said, barging into Dede’s room. “Please get dressed; we need to get to the hospital now.”
“Oh what is it Nana Yaa, that can’t wait till morning?” Dede replied sleepily.
“It’s Naa. It seems she’s in some kind of trouble. Nii couldn’t really give details.”
The name Naa was enough wakeup call for Dede. This woman had been a priceless friend to her, and Dede wanted to do anything she could to help her out, even if it meant just being there.
“I guess I have to postpone my visit to Safoa”, she said to herself, a bit disappointed as she joined Nana Yaa outside a few minutes later, to head to the hospital.


Dede did not know whether to be shocked or sorrowful. Not long after they had reached the hospital, she had seen a man being rushed to the emergency ward. She had looked closely only to see none other but Something Different looking terribly ill and almost shriveled up. Naa being her main concern right now, she made a mental note to go and pay S.D. a visit later when his condition stabilized, to find out what exactly was going on.


Nii felt calmer after all those he cared the most about made it to the hospital in record time. Fiifi and Esiaba were there, and Nana Yaa had managed to get Dede and even Lanre (who was almost always busy) to come along as well. Even his mother had managed to make it, obviously trying to make amends for her previously cruel attitude towards Naa.
After the tension of trying to get proper medical attention for his wife, Nii just could not sit or eat anything. Naa was losing a lot of blood and he could not stand the sight any longer. The doctors were doing everything they could to save her and her baby, but they had been in the labor ward for close to three hours now. He desperately whispered a prayer to God for His intervention, before the doctor stepped out and said,
“Mr. Jones…” with an expressionless face……


*Today’s episode draws a little attention to our medical systems in Ghana. How efficient are our emergency and response services, and what can be done to improve them?
*Everyone that was most important to Nii was present, helping him to be at ease. How promptly are we there for our loved ones when they need us the most?
*Despite S.D.’s cruel treatment of Dede over the past years, she still made a decision to later check on him. Also, Mrs. Jones Snr. had managed to make it to the hospital when Nii needed her the most. What do these two instances tell us about forgiveness?

With just one more Episode to go, how has Ghana Man Blues made an impact on our lives so far? And how far have we come in putting the lessons into practice?
Thank you for your support and for sharing it with others as well. Let’s keep the Status Quo Train moving, and be the difference together!