It was evening and I longed for something different to munch on. Then I thought, a little bit of spicy suya would do the trick.

As I made my way out of the house and onto the street, I took note of how people were making their way back home after a long day. I saw a guy carrying a knapsack lost in his thoughts as an okada almost hit him. There was also this lady who had children at the back of the car, they were perhaps hers, but she honk angrily as she made her way aggressively out of the corner, almost hitting another car. There was this young girl and her siblings who tried to sell leather wears, while another set sought the help of adults for one reason or the other.

This is Lagos, the place I call home. Where the bloody heat slaps your face like a conductor high on weed. I took a deep breath and tasted the aroma of roasted fish rising up from the direction of the lagoon. I tried to steady myself as a group of keke napeps trying to outdo one another almost brushed me aside. Just then I saw an agbalumo seller with her delicious fruits beckoning on me. But then I remembered our mission – delicious suya with spicy onions and more.

I finally got to the spot as the setting of the sun quietened my soul. I had overcome. I had made it to the promise land. As I unwrapped the hot newspaper wrappings, my mouth watered impatiently awaiting the delightful experience of skin to skin and flesh to flesh. Oh the taste! Gosh, my tongue couldn’t take it as it longed to squeeze out all the deliciousness. Finally came the connection as my teeth bit into it, garnished with a few fresh peppered onions. This was heaven! Quite everywhere, against all odds!

I made it to my destination. I enjoyed my tasty steamy snack. And suddenly all the hustle and bustle everywhere seized. The road was free. The noise died down. The craziness that was, no longer was. The irony of life!

You see, sometimes, life is so overwhelming that it threatens the core of your soul. It feels like it will consume you. Wait. Wait I say. Wait. It will pass. The storm will seize and soon you will hear the beautiful sound of the birds singing, the caressing feeling of the deep blue waves as the sun rises to a new dawn.

The season that threatens will pass. The sadness will fade away. Uncertainty for certainty. Then you will know from the very depth of your being that God kept you. He held you. And He will never let you go! Hold on again I say… joy is coming!