Story by Olushola Tanimola
I want to thank God for the opportunity to share with you a testimony of how I came to faith and how God has directed my steps from the beginning of my life to this present time. It is a privilege to reflect on God’s goodness and to share how His hand has been evident in my life’s journey.
I was born into a Christian family and raised with the love of God as the foundation of my upbringing. From a young age, I was introduced to church and taught the values of faith. As I grew, I became familiar with the things of God—participating in church activities, learning Scripture, and understanding the difference between right and wrong. These experiences shaped my early understanding of God and formed the bedrock of my faith.
During my teenage years, my relationship with God deepened in a transformative way. It was during this time that God revealed Himself to me in a personal and undeniable manner, solidifying my faith and directing my path to wholeheartedly believe in Him. I would like to share a story from my high school years that serves as a defining moment in my spiritual journey.
In the early 1990s, when I was in high school—either in grade 11 or 12—our school received an invitation from Modern School to participate in a debate competition. In those days, attending events at other schools was a big deal. It was important to make a good impression, which meant dressing neatly, looking good, and representing our school with pride.
I had a close friend who owned a stylish cap with the logo of the Chicago Bulls, an NBA team that was immensely popular at the time. Michael Jordan, a basketball legend, was at the peak of his career in the 90s, and wearing anything associated with the Bulls was considered trendy and cool. I asked my friend if I could borrow his cap for the event, and he agreed. Wearing that cap made me feel confident and admired. The attention I received was exhilarating, and for a moment, I felt like I was basking in borrowed glory.
After the event, I returned home and carefully hid the cap in our compound, intending to return it to my friend the next day. I chose to hide it at the back of the house because I didn’t want my mother to see it and question why I had brought home something that didn’t belong to me. The next morning, however, when I went to retrieve the cap, it was gone. Someone had taken it.
I was devastated. A wave of anxiety and regret washed over me. What will I tell my friend? Why did I borrow the cap in the first place? These questions haunted me as I prepared for school. When I arrived, my friend was waiting for me, expecting his cap. Reluctantly, I confessed that I had lost it. He was furious and even threatened to come to my house and report the matter to my mother. This filled me with even more fear and regret—my mother must not hear about this.
Desperate to resolve the situation, I promised my friend that I would buy him a new cap and asked for three weeks to gather the money. However, I knew that saving enough from my pocket money would take much longer—possibly three to four months. The weight of the situation caused me many sleepless nights. I couldn’t stop thinking about how to make things right.
One day, a thought occurred to me: Go to church and pray. It felt like a gentle nudge from God. The following day, after school, I went to church and poured out my heart in prayer. I asked God to help me resolve the situation. I prayed for a miracle, trusting that He would make a way where there seemed to be no way.
God answered my prayer in a way I could never have imagined. About a week later, my mother sent me on an errand to buy groceries. As I was on my way, I saw my friend from a distance—and to my astonishment, he was wearing the very same cap! I hurried over to him and asked, “You found your cap?” He nodded and said yes. I pressed further, “Why didn’t you tell me?” He couldn’t give a clear answer. I then asked, “Where did you find it?” Again, he was evasive and couldn’t provide a proper explanation.
At that moment, I realized that God had intervened. The cap was back with its rightful owner, and the burden I had been carrying was lifted. This seemingly small event became a profound reminder of God’s care and faithfulness. It showed me that no matter how trivial or overwhelming a situation might seem, God is able to provide a solution in His perfect way.
This experience became a cornerstone of my faith. It taught me to trust God in every circumstance—whether in good times or bad, on the mountaintop or in the valley. Over the years, I have come to see that God is always present, working behind the scenes in ways we may not immediately understand.
Fast-forward to today, and my journey with God continues to deepen. I have learned that anyone who truly experiences or taste God will come to acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness. This story from my youth reminds me that God is not just a distant figure but a loving Father who cares about every detail of our lives.
Thank you for allowing me to share this testimony. I hope it encourages you to trust God in your own journey, knowing that He is always faithful and good.
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