I DISTURB PEOPLE BECAUSE IT PAYS

I DISTURB PEOPLE BECAUSE IT PAYS

I have a habit of disturbing people with text messages every week. People that I have access to their phone numbers read from me every week. The text messages I send are usually goodwill; to pray for them, wish them well, encourage and motivate them for the new week. I usually send them on Sundays or Monday mornings. To me I see it as disturbing people but to some of the recipients it is not so. It benefits them as it motivates them as they start their working week.  

Last week, I didn’t send the text message and on Monday morning that was on July 27, 2015, I received a call from one of my regular recipients. She said “I didn’t receive your text message this week and I just called to know if all is well with you.” I laughed and responded that I am fine but couldn’t send the messages because I didn’t subscribe to airtime. She said no wonder. It was quite unlike me not to send messages to start the week. Thereafter, she acted accordingly. I hope you what I meant by acting accordingly?

The airtime I use in most cases in sending these messages come from the bonus the Network Service Providers give to me when I subscribe. I don’t allow it to waste away especially the ones that I can use for different networks. This act has endeared me to so many people that the result is usually more airtime for me. My greatest gain in it is the prayer people say for me. I don’t send anything less than 150 text messages every week. In a situation where 150 people respond by saying that God should bless me, I know that out of the lot, there are many that God will hear their prayers for me. That has been my greatest source of joy because people are praying for me every week. I remember a woman saying that she will ever remember me for the text messages of encouragement I send to people. I thank God for that.

I can’t recount here some of the benefits I have received from people concerning this. Some of them have taken it up to send airtime to me on monthly basis while some do it randomly, at times twice or thrice a month. Some have copied that act from me and have started sending the messages to me. Yesterday, I send this message: “FEAR STOPS YOU FROM ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS WHILE COURAGE KEEPS YOU GOING. MAY GOD GRANT YOU THE COURAGE TO OVERCOME YOUR FEARS AND TO ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS THIS WEEK IN JESUS NAME.” I received so many responses asking God to bless me.

Just this evening, I met a lady who is one of my parishioners and a usual recipient of my text messages and who sends recharge cards to me always. She started sharing her testimony with me about the text message I sent yesterday, how she prayed about it, acted on it and there was a result. I praised God for that and told her how I came about the message. Actually when the message came, God told me that the message is for someone but didn’t mention the name. Later, she dropped her bag with me and went to buy something. I never knew that what she went to buy was for me. As she was delaying, I left the bag with one of our security men who later brought another bag to meet me where I went to buy fruits that the Lady gave him the bag for me. When I opened it, it was fruits and nuts. That was exactly what I needed after a hectic weekend.

My joy is not necessarily what people give to me because of the messages of goodwill, prayers, motivation and encouragement, but the benefits people derive from them. Of recent, some of the great words of wisdom used by Delta Broadcasting Service Asaba in the Thought Section of their News are from the text messages I always send to one of their General Managers. When I hear it over the radio, it gives me joy that people appreciate what I do. Recently, one of my aunties wrote in response to one of my numerous messages: “How are you my dear MM? I have missed your goodwill message. However, I am very happy to have received one today ...” This kind of response have kept me on my toes because in our present day society, many people are losing hope and faith due to economic stress.

The economic situation is biting very had on people and they need encouraging words that will enable them continue their life‘s struggle no fake assurances of prosperity messages. Thus I challenge as many as have messages of encouragement to use it in a time like this. There are many that need just words of encouragement to survive the day. Find ways to restore joy and happiness into the lives of people around you. You can do it. If they chose to call it disturbance, let it be. However, be rest assured that there are people who will benefit from them.  

Your Pastor and Friend

Tabugbo Uzoma