18/11/2024
A Story of Miracles: How I Know God Is Real And He Exist
Life has a way of testing the faith we hold dear, and in my journey, I’ve encountered moments that undeniably reveal the hand of God. Some people doubt His existence, but my life, woven with survival, miracles, and divine provision, stands as a testament to His omnipotence. Let me take you on a journey that proves beyond doubt: that God's Not Dead.
From the moment of my birth, my life has been marked by grace. Four times, I have walked away from ghastly motor accidents unscathed. And yet, these weren’t even the most harrowing experiences. As a child growing up in Kaduna State, Nigeria, I faced danger and hardship that could have crushed anyone’s spirit.
In 2000, the Sharia crisis broke out, leaving terror and destruction in its wake. I was just a child, living with my late mother. One afternoon while in my School, Total Education Nursery and Primary School, Kaduna, chaos erupted in Ugwan Dosa, where we lived, and angry mobs set homes ablaze, including shops and my mum shop was not spared. My mother grabbed me, and together we fled through the streets, where we can see people being butchered like animal. Flames roared behind us as we made our way to 202 Barracks, seeking refuge with my late uncle, a serving military officer. We narrowly escaped being burned alive. That night, as the chaos raged on, I realized that survival wasn’t luck, it was the protective hand of God.
Fast forward to December 2002, just days before Christmas. It was a time meant for joy and celebration, but in our home, there was only silence and sorrow. My mother was a widow, struggling to raise me and my siblings. That night, I woke up to find her crying. I was too young to understand the weight of her tears, but now I know she was battling despair, wondering where our next meal would come from and how she would give her children a Christmas like other families in the barracks.
Communication was a luxury back then, smartphones didn’t exist, and letters took days, even weeks, to arrive. My mother had no one to call, no one to turn to due to the distance between her and her siblings. She was at the end of her rope, staring at an empty kitchen and the faces of her hungry children.
But then, something miraculous happened. God, the God of the eleventh hour, stepped in.
Unknowing to us, my late father’s best friend, a customs officer stationed in Lagos, had us on his mind. On an impulse, by divine inspiration, he loaded his car with a bag of rice, Christmas clothes for me and my sister, and other supplies. He drove over 800 kilometers with his family, all the way to Kaduna for a function. When he arrived and my mother saw the gifts, she broke down in tears. As kids, we didn’t understand the gravity of the moment. We were just excited about the rice and the clothes. But my mother knew. She knew that God had sent a lifeline when all hope was lost.
I often think about what would have happened if he hadn’t come. Imagine being the only kids in the barracks with nothing to wear and no food to eat during Christmas. The shame, the sadness, it would have been unbearable. But God didn’t let that happen. He showed up in our darkest hour, reminding us that he sees, he cares, and he provides.
This story isn’t just about me. It’s about you too. Maybe you’re facing a challenge that feels insurmountable. Maybe you’ve lost hope, and the nights are filled with tears no one sees. Let me remind you: God is not dead. He moves in ways we least expect, often at the last moment, just when we’re ready to give up.
I am living proof of His existence. My survival, my victories, and the blessings I’ve received all point to a God who is alive and powerful. If you’ve ever doubted, I hope my story gives you hope. Hold on a little longer, your miracle is on its way.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Have you experienced a moment where God showed up for you when you least expected it? Share your story below, it might be the encouragement someone else needs today.
©️ Simon Akoji Ocheja
゚
