13/08/2026
The Journey I Thought Was Delaying Me Was Actually Preparing Me
In the early 90’s, I told my father I wanted to visit my elder brothers.
They were involved in the Palm Kernel and Cocoa business, and I had just finished secondary school.
At the time, I had only one major ambition:
Just Travel Out of My Parents’ Presence To Enjoy A New Leave of Life.
In my mind, I was already seeing myself living a normal life totally different from the hustles and bustles especially around my parents😂
Then one morning, my father called me.
“Tim, I want you to finish clearing the grass on the farm we just cultivated.”
I thought I didn't hear him properly.
Farm?
Me?
At this point?
But then, let me remind you of something about African fathers.
With your mother, you could sometimes do small stubborn-head and negotiate your way out.
But African fathers?
Naaaaaa!
When they have made up their mind, your opinion has already been archived. 😂
So, Papa kept me on that farm for almost three weeks.
But I wasn't completely helpless.
I quickly mobilized my nephews, Abraham and Late Asem.
We attacked that farm like we had a deadline from heaven.
Before long, we finished the clearing.
I was excited.
I thought:
“Finally! Freedom!”
I went home, ready to inform Papa that I had completed my assignment and would now be leaving to visit my brothers.
But before I could even start the conversation...
Papa looked at me and said he had just been given another piece of land somewhere else and wanted me to cultivate groundnuts and maize there.
Hian!
Another farm?
I didn't argue.
What was the point?
I simply turned around and went back to work.
This one took almost a month.
Again, Abraham and I worked like men who had received a contract worth millions. 😂
We finished.
I thought:
“Surely, this must be the end.”
It wasn't.
One evening, Papa called me into his room.
He told me his in-law; my mother's elder sister, needed our help on her farm.
I almost cried.
Honestly.
I looked at him like:
“Papa, is this NYSC or something?” 😂
But I knew better than to ask.
We packed up and headed to the village.
And this one was different.
No electricity.
No comfort.
Life was rough.
But we did the work.
Eventually, we were released and returned home.
When we arrived, my parents were so happy with us.
They thanked us.
Then they prepared a sumptuous meal.
Ah!
That food tasted different.
Because I thought I had finally completed my prison sentence.
I ate.
I relaxed.
I was happy.
I was already calculating how soon I would travel.
Then...
Papa came again.
He said the grass had grown again and that we needed to do one final clearing.
One final?
At that point, I had stopped believing the phrase “one final.”
But what could I do?
Abraham and I went back again.
We cleared the farm.
And finally, Papa told me:
“I have given you my blessings. You can now travel.”
I nearly shouted, Hallelujah!
Then he added:
“But you cannot travel on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. You must wait until Tuesday.”
I froze.
Hian!
Where did this one come from?
And guess what?
It was already Tuesday!
So, I had to wait for another whole week before finally making that journey.
Looking back today, I laugh about the experience.
But as I grew older, I began to understand something I didn't understand as a young man.
Papa wasn't trying to punish me.
He was preparing me.
Those farms were teaching me discipline.
They were teaching me patience.
They were teaching me responsibility.
They were teaching me that life doesn't always give you what you want simply because you are ready for it.
And most importantly, they were teaching me the dignity of hard work.
Today, I realize those experiences helped build the man I’ve eventually become and still becoming.
And for that, I am deeply grateful to my parents.
Three lessons I want you to take from my story:
1. Don't despise seasons that seem to delay you.
Sometimes, what you call a delay is actually preparation for the future you are praying for.
2. Learn to work even when nobody is watching.
Discipline built in small responsibilities eventually becomes the strength required for bigger opportunities.
3. Appreciate the lessons your parents and life are teaching you.
You may not understand them today, but some of the things that frustrate you now may become the very things you will be grateful for tomorrow.
I thought Papa was keeping me from my future.
Today, I realize...
He was preparing me for it.
And I will forever be grateful.
Tim Abel