How my “First Wedding Shoot” got ruined.
Hello everyone!
It’s so good to be here again after a really long break. Two major things I’ve had to deal with during my absence are procrastination and inconsistency- my major foes in writing.
In a bid to solve these challenges, I realized that my best way to solve procrastination is to do whatever had to be done as soon as the thought to do it comes. Leaving it for seconds or minutes can turn to years as it happened here sadly.
On inconsistency, I learnt that I can’t grow and learn without being consistent. It’s that simple. Amazingly, the theme of the month for SWI (Success Within International)- a community I joined earlier this year, is Consistency and that really spurred me into making my thoughts plain to you in words once again.
One of the reasons why I write is to acquaint you with the things I do and the communities where I learn and draw knowledge from and I’m proud to say SWI is one. It’s a platform where a community of people who desire to have global relevance by reason of their outstanding success can be connected for greater impact. To be a part of SWI, you can start your journey here
Over two years ago, I wrote a piece on how important it is to love and pray for those who hurt you like Stephen and Jesus Christ did. You can read it here if you haven’t. While I wrote it, I was in a dire state, having just had my camera stolen, different thoughts had filled my mind and I literally felt foolish and empty. However, I knew I had to not only pray that my camera would return, but to also love and pray for whosoever stole my camera. Difficult to do, you say? Yes. Quite difficult. But I did nonetheless and that was my medicine to healing and recovery.
Here’s my story.
I had just finished work during my Industrial Training on this fateful Friday and it was time to leave Kwara for Ado-Ekiti for my Aunt’s engagement and wedding happening that day and the next. I was particularly excited because it was going to be my first wedding shoot, not as the official photographer, but as a budding photographer eager to see how shooting a wedding felt like.
I had arrived the engagement venue to much excitement and energy. I met a few friends and chatted with them before unbundling my camera for the main business of the evening. I got a few decent shots, however, I was tired and exhausted from the day’s journey and was already looking forward to the wedding the next day.
Night came and I had to leave for my relation’s place to have some rest. I had barely reached home when I got a call from my cousin first and then a friend that I’ll be needed to shoot the “Bridal shower”. Apparently, the bride didn’t reach an agreement with the official photographer to shoot her bridal shower. I declined at first explaining to them how tired I was and how much I needed enough rest for the next day. The pleas then increased and I was asked to drop my camera with them since both people (my cousin and my friend) who called me were apparently photographers as well. I declined again. However, pressure was mounting from many other friends and family. Their plea was simply for me to drop it with them for the sake of the bridal shower. This time, I gave in to the pressure and the pleas. I journeyed back to the venue, dropped it with my friend and emphasized the need for him to take care of it.
I didn’t know I was in for a “nightmare”.
The wedding day was supposed to be a day of excitement and happiness but it began to turn sour when we met some accident victims on our way to the venue of the ceremony. I was literally gripped with fear because I’ve rarely seen someone or people between life and death. Fortunately, we were able to convey all the victims to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital and my Uncle whom I followed sorted all their medical bills upfront. By the time I arrived the wedding ceremony, it was close to the end. My plans to create beautiful images seemed to be in the mud once again. This time, I was already looking forward to the reception not to take pictures, but to just wine, dine and merry.
It was at this juncture I decided to ask for my camera from my friend whom I dropped it with the previous day, and what I heard next was quite shocking to the bones.
“It was missing and most likely stolen overnight… but we’ll still find it…..”
Really? I was livid, I didn’t know what to think. Different questions and thoughts raced my mind in milliseconds. How? Why? When? Where? I had questions, but no answer came. I left the wedding without answers. Every plan to find the camera or the thief that day and the day after proved abortive.
All I heard people say to me was “sorry”.
I learnt that while it’s good to be kind, it’s important to know that kindness should never lead to carelessness. I learnt it the hard way and I’ll never want anyone to go through what I went through. While I’ve learnt my lessons, there’s always a call for caution in whatever I do now. I only give what I can afford to lose.
I was hurting for more than 2 months. I saw pain and anger in Toyin and Chidinma’s faces (My colleagues during IT) each day I went to work. They loved my camera as much as I did. However, I found comfort when I listened to Apostle Joshua Selman’s message on the Supernatural power of Love. I saw love in a different perspective and I wrote about it. Almost everyday, I prayed for whosoever the camera was with for God to touch his heart. I prayed that the camera should return. I just wanted to remain clear-headed and still have faith in God even if it wasn’t going to return.
As I prayed for the one who was truly hurt, little did I know that the groom and the bride, now husband and wife were also praying for me. I visited them some months after the camera was stolen and told them of my plans to sell my camera gears (gadgets) since they were of no use anymore. They instructed me not to sell them and that they were confident of a miracle happening. I believed them to an extent and to be honest, I felt so much joy when they said that they were praying for me because I knew they really were.
Fast forward to March, 2019. I was already in my first semester, 500L. My aunt called me on a Friday to ask if I was in school, I replied in the negative. She told me we’ll catch up the week after. I had no clue she had some good news. She didn’t even sound like it. Monday came and I saw my Aunt’s call again. This time, she was outside my Faculty and she asked me to meet her there. She looked at me sternly in the face, with some fierce eye contact and asked “Have you sold your gadgets?”.
I was more concerned as to why she asked the question than the question itself. I replied quite confusingly. I hadn’t after all since I couldn’t find a buyer as at yet. She stood her ground and the next words she said to me shook me to my bones- “Your camera is here with me”. I giggled at what I thought was a joke. My camera? How? Where? With you? It began to seem more real when she asked a number of details about the camera which I replied in the affirmative. It became real when she brought out the camera and handed it over to me. I broke down in tears. I checked it and it was truly mine. I couldn’t fathom the miracle. It all seemed like a dream.
After the slight recovery from my excitement, I asked her how she got hold of the camera and she told me how that the person who stole it was her family friend and had already taken it to Ibadan to sell it only for every buyer to reject it and advice him to return it. I was dazed. More questions kept pouring in my mind and it’s funny how I don’t have all the answers till date. However, I’m astounded as to how God works. I’d never have expected to have my camera back that way but God works in ways I or anyone can’t imagine and this scripture emphasises it.
Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.
Ephesians 3:20 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/eph.3.20.TPT
I can doubt many things but never God’s power and ability to turn situations around for good. In every situation, no matter how little or enormous it may seem, keep trusting God to work it out by His divine power, not according to how you feel it would happen but according to how He’s planned for it to happen.
By the way, I’ve not attended a wedding since 2018 with my full chest. Just thought to let you know.
P.S- I’m hoping to write weekly. This time, I’m staying consistent by God’s grace. A big shout-out to the “overall best” in writing, Goodness Adegbola, for encouraging me to resume writing. I’m honored to call you brother and friend.
Till next time,
Love and light always
Originally published at http://goodjosh481046173.wordpress.com on May 17, 2021.
