Babies will come...

By Ajibike Tychus-Lawson

"Babies Will Come: Stories of Faith, Trials, and Joy" by Ajibike Tychus-Lawson 

Discover a heartwarming collection of stories that celebrate the incredible journey of parenthood in "Babies Will Come." In this heartfelt book, Ajibike shares experiences of faith, trials, and the boundless joy that comes with welcoming a new

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emphaloz Publishing House
• Release date: Oct 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9787625033774

Book preview

About a word I detest

About a word I detest

It's all in God's timing. Don't worry.

Have faith! Your moment will arrive.

Try not to dwell on it; it'll happen when you least expect it.

The emotions, words, and concerns that follow the revelation of a couple's efforts to conceive are consistently familiar. Regardless of whether these expressions are sincere or not, there's something about them that gnaws at you.

Especially if you've ever endured the disquieting wait for a child.

Now, within the confines of a church, you hear these tender thoughts during eloquent sermons, beautifully adorned with carefully chosen words and interwoven with God's commandments like Be fruitful and multiply. It fills you with faith and zeal... until you step out into the world. You spot a group of sisters gathered to plan a church nursery, just as announced. You decide to join them, brimming with creative ideas. However, one of the sisters dismisses you, saying, You wouldn't understand much about this; we don't expect you to.

At that moment, the faith you thought you had evaporates.

How do you transition from an inspiring sermon to cradling your own baby? How do you cope with the passing days, minutes, and years that test your patience, faith, and sanity? Is it time to consider other means of having children after all, all children come from God? Which is the option to choose? On days when indescribable emotions leave you numb, what's the way forward? How do you confront infertility?

Infertility

That's a word I find painfully challenging to utter. I'd prefer to always say 'fertility,' not just out of faith, but because I've worked alongside couples who have endured arduous seasons of waiting, trying to conceive. I've walked that path myself. Speaking the word feels like acknowledging the problem and adding salt to the wound.

I've experienced the blame, disappointment, and the sense of missing out that come with the journey to 'fertility.' It's all too familiar. I'm fully aware of the subject I'm addressing.

Children have always been a part of my life. From my childhood and teenage years, I've been responsible for caring for children. I derive immense joy from being with them, and no words can capture the warmth that fills my heart when I contribute to their growth. Their innocence and unwavering trust in their caregivers and parents teach me a humble lesson I'll forever cherish. So, you can imagine the mix of emotions that engulfed me and my loved ones when years passed in marriage, and still, no child arrived.

Over time, I've noticed more and more couples wrestling with 'fertility.' I've witnessed it fracture the very core of God's children, shattering homes, and robbing the serenity of beautiful marriages, some of which have crumbled under its weight. When I counsel couples facing this issue, I hear and see the sighs and the unspoken questions in their eyes - 'When?' 'Am I doing something wrong?' 'Who's to blame?' 'Will I ever be a parent?' Sometimes, I find it impossible to provide answers, and that's the most painful part.

This book was born of these reflections and the heartfelt burden I believe God has placed in my heart to offer practical guidance to couples dealing with 'fertility' and its related challenges. It emanates from a place of knowledge and genuine empathy, driven by a sincere desire to impart life-affirming wisdom. I trust that as you read and reflect on the stories within, you will find a part of yourself and discover that, in the end, babies will indeed arrive.

With heartfelt wishes,

Ajibike

The Fruitfulness Mandate

After a series of procedures at the hospitals, miscarriages, and endless years of waiting, it is very easy to wonder if you are destined to be a Father or Mother. You may find that you have resigned to fact that you may never be one, even without saying it or writing it somewhere. Rather you may find it in your perceptions, mindsets, and subtle but deep-rooted beliefs, formed over time.

Do not underestimate the power that your beliefs have on you and your life, they go beyond realms that you understand. Sometimes, we run around trying to get delivered from demonic influences, witchcraft, and so on, which are just our ill-informed beliefs, especially the ones we are not aware that we have formed.

The fruitfulness mandate opened my eyes to a lot of truths that may be hard to take in (well, they sound easy and obvious but in reality, our cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs keep us from imbibing and believing them). There is no better way to present this mandate to you than to allow Akin and Bella to do so.

1.

The thing about Sundays

I was laid curled up to my side, transfixed at the curtains being lifted off the tiled floors by the morning breeze, which was an aftermath of the rainy night the day before.

‘Babe! We are going to be late. Get up now.’ I heard my husband say.

I sighed and drew the duvet to cover my body, without batting an eyelid. There was something hypnotizing about the way the light netted curtains moved. I should shut the windows when I get up, it may