Condemning yourself to a Life of Intoxication
Samweli, an office guard, had been happily married to his wife Sofia and had two lovely daughters. In his tribe, daughters were a highly treasured investment, since ‘well-brought up’ women were on high demand. Therefore, by supplementing his slim income with allowances from here and there, Samweli struggled to ensure that his daughters got a good education and an upbringing that would not only help them get good jobs, but progressive husbands as well.
He recalls the day that Bendera, his boss, announced that the Board had allocated funds for a ‘Family Day’ to be held at a beach hotel once each year. Samweli’s family received the news with excitement, considering that he (Sam) would never have been able to afford such an expensive luxury.
It was during one such event that his wife met Bendera. Samweli could not help but notice how the two of them had struck a warm conversation. “Bendera is so funny!”, his wife had commented repeatedly amidst short chuckles; as they trekked back home that evening.
One day, Samweli found a seductive text message in Sofia’s phone; and, much to his alarm, the message had been sent by Bendera. A deep row followed with Samweli demanding explanations as to why such a message was in her phone; and Sofia shouting back adamantly. This sparked off a fight that got so intense that the neighbours had to intervene.
When Samweli returned home the following day, he was shocked to find that Sofia had packed her things and left. Later that night, she sent a message that she needed space to rethink her commitment to Samweli. However, what really broke Samweli ’s heart was when he discovered that Sofia had actually moved in with Bendera. From then, Samweli watched as Sofia dropped Bendera at the office and picked him at the close of each day. Given his position as guard, it was his duty to open and close the office gate!
As the days went by, the situation became unbearable for Samweli. That was when Ndabakuki, Samweli’s right-hand buddy, had proposed a seemingly effective and harmless remedy. “Only one glass of ‘conc. local brew’ a day will drown your sorrows and earn you some tranquilized sleep”, he had advised; a tendency that gradually converted Samweli into a notorious alcoholic. For, before long, a glass had turned into bottles of the hard concoction. To date, Samweli is parading the streets having been sacked due to alcoholism.
Did you know that chronic anger, hatred, bitterness and other fruits of unforgiveness have caused many to lose control of life? Some have even resorted to prostitution, alcoholism, drug abuse and other addictions hoping that these will curb frustrations caused by offenders. To make matters worse, such vices do not come ‘unaccompanied’! ‘Intoxicated unforgivers’ have ended up becoming violent while others have committed crime; with unpleasant, serious social and legal outcomes. Some have ended up harming those they love most, including parents, spouses and even children. Sadly, unforgiveness has transformed many such people into a public embarrassment.