The Lord brings poverty and wealth: He humbles and exalts. He lifts the poor from the dust, and raises the needy from the refuse heap, seating them among the nobles, and grants them a position of honor as their inheritance; for the foundations of the earth belong to the Lord, and He established the world upon them.
(1 Samuel 2:7-8)
These calming, reassuring, and encouraging words of truth I have read many times in the sacred text. The inspiration was rekindled recently in Epe, Lagos State, where the love of my life, my best friend, and the mother of my children marked her passage to the sixth level of existence.
Over the past four years, she has been leading a mission aimed at helping the disadvantaged and impoverished in her hometown, distributing food items, clothing, and money to those in need. This year's mission event coincided with her birthday. Full of happiness and reflecting on her childhood experiences in Epe, my wife took the stage to deliver an inspiring message to the large gathering, which consisted of Christians, Muslims, and followers of traditional beliefs.
I have listened to her story numerous times over the past 40 years. The experience of poverty and the long periods during which no one offered assistance to overcome hunger and destitution. This memory is what motivates her to use her hard-earned money in America for the mission work she carries out to feed the poor in her hometown of Epe. This kind of story does not fully capture the severity and pain of the poverty she endured. However, she recalls the many days and weeks when her family had to go on an involuntary, forced fast due to a lack of food.
"When I was around 10 years old, I sold gari for my grandmother throughout the entire Epe town, going from street to street without any shoes. Life was extremely difficult. The same gari I sold was what we ate almost every day since we had no money. And now, here I am, doing what God has allowed me to do for the poor. Parents should never give up on your children. God raises the poor from the dust," she said to the audience listening.
Between Epe and Ketu in Lagos, her family of five remained in poverty, facing tough and challenging times. Meeting their daily needs was difficult. Between her, her siblings, and their parents, they had to carefully manage food and sleeping areas. The whole family lived in a small room of just 100 square feet, where everyone took turns to rest on two or three traditional Nigerian mats known as "eni" placed on a cold, bare concrete floor.
It was within that stifling environment that they had their meals, received some guests, and continued with regular domestic tasks. The house was situated near a canal, and whenever it rained, the entire living and sleeping area would be submerged in filthy water that spilled over from the nearby river.
Our romantic journey began during the time of the young woman's growth. The first time I went to visit her in her single-room home, I was certain she was meant for me. My wife experienced hardship, yet she maintained dignity even during times of hunger, as a young woman in Lagos. That difficult period became part of her past when the Creator visited her. A woman whose parents couldn't afford to send their children to school has now graduated in hospitality and tourism from one of America's top universities. She recalls this moment. That is why she is now giving back.
As you read this narrative, perhaps you also have tales to share about difficult moments tied to poverty. How can one ever forget a period in life where they faced poverty, with hunger being relentless and no one offering support? The more my wife remembers those painful life experiences, the more I am filled with admiration for God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, who continues to rescue the poor from the mud and place them on the hilltop. God is the One who positions whomever He chooses wherever He desires. Many who once wandered the streets without shelter can suddenly become rulers. I have witnessed God elevate individuals from obscurity to significance, fulfilling their purpose. We have heard stories of people who, at a certain point in their lives, couldn't even feed themselves, but later fed a nation.
Here are five global individuals who were born into poverty and became outstanding examples. They later served as presidents of the United States. God continues to be involved in elevating the poor from their lowly positions and placing them alongside kings. Chester A. Arthur came from an Irish immigrant family with few resources. He worked as a schoolteacher, attempted law, fought in the U.S. Civil War, and eventually rose through the political ranks to become the 21st president of the United States. Woodrow Wilson grew up in a simple home as the son of a Presbyterian minister in Virginia. Wilson went on to receive a PhD in political science—the only president with a doctoral degree. James A. Garfield, the 20th president, was born into a difficult life in a log cabin in Ohio. His early years were marked by the need to take on various odd jobs—ranging from carpentry to cleaning—to support his education. These early challenges helped shape his determination and work ethic, which led him to higher positions of leadership.
Calvin Coolidge ascended from humble beginnings to achieve significant political success.
Known fondly as “Silent Cal,” Coolidge was recognized for his calm dignity and financial caution—traits that mirrored his humble origins. Raised in rural Vermont, Coolidge was well-acquainted with the worth of hard labor. Harry S. Truman's financial difficulties were eased by opportunities after leaving the presidency.
Frequently referred to as the poorest president to assume office in modern times, Harry S. Truman faced considerable financial challenges both prior to and after his presidency. Truman came from a farming family in rural Missouri. This is what Truman, the least affluent president, once expressed regarding poverty: “Over half the people across the globe live in conditions bordering on despair. Their nutrition is insufficient. They fall prey to illness. Their economic situation is basic and unchanging. Their poverty serves as a barrier and a risk for both them and more affluent regions.” Indeed, God raises the poor from the dung hill. If He doesn't abandon you, don't do it yourself. There's more to you. There's more within you. The best of you is still ahead, and the summit is your goal.
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Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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