The Blessings of My Scars

During the Christmas period of 2004, I was diagnosed with TB of the Abdomen and was put on 6 months medication until June 2005 when I got completely healed. During that time, I also had a viral infection which caused hot, burning rashes around my chest area that developed into very painful sores, for several weeks. There was no cure for it. I was told that it would go away on its own and that all I had to do was to wet a cloth with cold water or ice and place it on the rashes to prevent them from spreading. After the sores dried up, they developed into a scar across my chest, making it difficult for me to wear my favourite V-neck tops and low neck blouses as I was too ashamed to reveal my scar.

I would see my friends wear low neck formal dresses to events and wish I could do the same. Secretly I would pity myself and go with high neck dresses to those occasions. I've gotten used to wearing such over the years now and I love it. But back then it was an issue. I would pray and question God about my scar, about why He allowed it to happen to me. It took me 16 years to know my answer!

In 2020, I was working on a database for our Vocational Centres for storing datas for their Teachers, Students, Assessment, Assets and Finances. Some months into my work, I got cyber bullied and it was one of the worst, shameful and painful situation that ever happened to me. A photoshopped image of a naked woman's body with my face on it began circulating amongst whatsapp groups, telegram and facebook accounts. I began recieving hundreds of friend requests in my facebook account every day, which was not normal. I also began recieving sexually abusive messages in my inbox with information about the image that they had seen. I felt so dirty by the filt they were projecting onto me and it tore me up. A complaint laid with our police cybercrime unit did not bring me the perpetrators as they did not have the technology to track those people down.

As weeks and months passed by, there was no one to help me and it became another scar deep within me. From time to time I would recieve messages from strangers asking if my husband has left me already. I then realized that whoever did that to me had the intention to destroy my marriage and probably to destroy my career because of jealousy.

When I accepted the fact that these people couldn't be identified and arrested for the cybercrime which they have committed against me, I forgave them openly via my facebook page and spoke God's blessings over them.

It then dawn on me that my scar, besides other body features, was the thing that assured my husband that it was a fake, photoshopped image as it did not contain the scar too. He also knew that I could never do such a thing.

I continued with the database amidst my emotional distress, tested it out in 3 out of the 5 Vocational Centres in our city, updated it and when I was convinced that it was ok, I handed the project to our Divisional Management Team in 2022.

In January 2023, I recieved a message from a Servant of God that God would give me an international connection and that I had to be prepared for it. Nine months later, in October, I got selected to attend a Training Program in Singapore in the area of technology in TVET. Amongst software, electrical & mechanical engineers, policy analysts, head of departments of technical colleges and government advisers, God opened this door for me to join them from 21 different countries all representing TVET.

Wipe those tears if you are going through some tough moments. God has good plans for you. Jeremiah 29:11

I never knew that a scar, caused by some unseen viruses would save my marriage that was targeted to be destroyed by unknown internet trolls!

We often go through situations that are unfair because they are one-sided, they inflict pain upon us and there is no way we can fight back. We may feel defeated and that's ok. But we must never forget to forgive our enemies and pray for them. Ask God to bless them and watch what He will do to you before their eyes. He will bless and elevate you. He will open doors for you that you never imagined possible. He will remove the pain and replace it with joy. In place of tears, He'll give you laughter.

I also learnt during that situation that we should never give up on tasks that we have been set to do. No matter the situation, no matter the pain, get up, get dressed and do it. Respect is often gained on difficult grounds. God will bless your work and entrust you with more responsibilities. You will realise that the very task which you faithfully delivered will turn around and kiss you, just like a woman going through labour pain. She does not give up because of the pain but pushes hard because of her baby and when she delivers her baby and after some years the child grows up and spoil her with kisses. It's just like that.After the situation, I have received more trainings and certificates from Institutions that I could only dream of. One of them was Harvard Kennedy School, where God openned that door for me to do an online course with them in 2023/2024 and blessed me with a certificate. The amazing thing was the Professor travelled to our country and presented the certificates himself to the graduates. Just when I could not go to Harvard, Harvard came to me. That's the God we serve! Nothing is too difficult for him. If He can ease my pain and wipe my tears, I believe that He can do the same and more for you. Only believe and surrender your life to Him and He will surely bless you and satisfy your desires. His Son Jesus has a scar for you and I and through His scar we can enter into a great relationship with our God. Be blessed!