Tears of an Orphan
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© Mary Francis Solomon*
Finally, Caleb began to find his footing in Christ through the careful mentorship of Pastor James and his wife,. Peace.
They practically took care of him as their younger brother.
Whatever he needed, they provided it for him.
Breaking free from drug addiction was not easy for Caleb.
It was a daily struggle.
Pastor James and his wife were very deliberate in meeting his needs, but they avoided giving him money.
They knew that money could easily become a door for temptation.
They did not want him going out to buy beer, drugs, or cigarettes.
One day, Pastor James and Mrs. Peace traveled for a program in another state.
Caleb was left alone in the house.
As evening approached, strong urges came upon him.
The desire to drink beer and smoke returned violently.
He stood in the living room, restless.
He paced around, back and forth.
“No… I don’t want to go back,” he whispered to himself.
“But this feeling is too much,” he added, holding his head.
He picked up his phone and called Pastor James.
No answer.
He called Mrs. Peace.
Still no answer.
“They are probably already in the program,” he said quietly.
The thought to pray came to his heart.
But his flesh overpowered his desire to pray.
He continued pacing around the room, breathing heavily.
After a while, he went to his bag and checked inside.
Fortunately for him,he found some money.
“Just one bottle,” he muttered.
That was how he went out.
He bought beer.
He drank heavily.
Later, he fell asleep on the couch in the living room.
The empty bottle lay beside him.
When Caleb woke up, his heart skipped.
Pastor James was standing before him.
The bottle of beer was in his hand.
Caleb froze.
Shame flooded his heart.
He jumped down from the couch immediately and knelt.
“Daddy… I am so sorry,” he cried.
“Please forgive me.”
“I never planned to take it.”
“I called you and mummy to report myself,” he continued, shaking.
“I wanted to tell you how overwhelmed I was.”
“The urge just came suddenly.”
“But none of you picked my calls.”
“Daddy, please forgive me.”
He folded his hands tightly.
Tears streamed freely from his eyes.
Pastor James felt deep disappointment.
But suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.
He remembered his own struggles.
He remembered how long it took him to break free from immorality.
“He is not supposed to be free in one day,” he thought.
He sighed deeply.
The gentle voice of God reminded him to be patient.
Pastor James dropped the bottle gently on the floor.
He looked at Caleb.
“Sit down,” he said calmly.
Just then, Mrs. Peace came in with their luggage.
She was tired from the journey.
When she noticed the bottle, her heart sank.
She did not say anything.
She only carried the bags upstairs.
Her silence was heavy.
Inside her heart, she felt disappointed.
She had prayed earnestly for Caleb.
She believed he would overcome the addiction quickly.
Still, she reminded herself that freedom is a process.
She went upstairs, changed into casual clothes, and came back down.
She entered the kitchen quietly and began to prepare dinner.
Meanwhile, Pastor James sat beside Caleb.
“Son,” he began.
“I won’t lie to you.”
“I am disappointed.”
“You took beer in this house after all the discipline and teachings you’ve received.”
“But tell me,” he continued gently.
“Where did you get the money?”
Caleb lowered his head.
“Daddy, I’m truly sorry,” he said softly.
“I saved a little money.”
“It was fifteen thousand naira.”
“I had more money before when I was with Brian,” he continued.
“But my girlfriend duped me.”
“I kept this money because you promised I would write JAMB next year.”
“I wanted to buy books.”
Pastor James nodded slowly.
“It’s okay, son,” he said.
“Give me the money.”
“I will keep it for you.”
“When you have money, temptation becomes stronger.”
“Especially when we are not around.”
“I saw your call,” he added.
“But I couldn’t pick it.”
“I was preaching.”
“And mummy was already at the program.”
“Sometimes, we won’t always be available.”
“In moments like that, pray.”
“Confess the Word of God.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“But you must be deliberate.”
“Transitioning from bad habits to good ones is painful,” Pastor James continued.
“But focus on the benefit, not the pain.”
“I also struggled,” he said quietly.
“I couldn’t bring girls into my pastor’s house.”
“But I still struggled with masturbation.”
“It took God’s help, accountability, and consistency.”
“That’s how I overcame.”
“So go to your room,” he said.
“Bring the money.”
“I promise to keep it safe.”
“If we need it for books or transport to Port Harcourt, we’ll use it then.”
Caleb stood up slowly.
It was hard.
But he wanted freedom.
He went to his room and searched his bag.
He discovered he had seventeen thousand naira.
He brought it out and handed it to Pastor James.
“Good son,” Pastor James said.
“I promise to take care of you.”
“You don’t have friends for now.”
“We are your family.”
“Let God’s Word be your closest companion.”
“When the urge comes, stay busy and pray silently.”
“Is there anything else you need?” he asked.
“Yes, Daddy,” Caleb replied.
“I want to go to Port Harcourt in four days.”
“To run away?” Pastor James asked, surprised.
“No, Daddy,” Caleb answered quickly.
“If I run away, where will I go?”
“I want to check my results from my former school.”
“I want to prepare for next year.”
Pastor James smiled.
“That’s good,” he said.
“We’ll pray about it.”
“God will go ahead of you.”
He patted Caleb’s shoulder.
“Come,” he said.
“Let’s go to my study room.”
Inside the study room, Pastor James placed a book on the table.
He also placed the Bible beside it.
They sat opposite each other.
Pastor James prayed briefly.
Then he opened the book.
To be continued…
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Stay blessed till we meet in the next episode.
Written by Mary Francis Solomon.