Doing the Right Thing

Write out a story about a time in your life when you did the right thing, even though it was hard or required courage. 

A pivotal moment in my journey was when I stood by a young woman who was facing immense challenges after a situation with a youth leader in church - they both got pregnant out of marriage. 

I had given a word of knowledge cautioning the youth leader about a certain lady, but he lied about their involvement. When the truth came out, after the fact, the church's response was severe, and the woman was ostracized by her family and many in the congregation. 

Despite this, I chose to take her in, counsel her, and provide support. Before I travelled I arranged form my mother to support her with counsel and sibling support her with care. A Yoruba proverb say, omo eni o le buru titi ki a le fun ekun pa je meaning a child cannot be so bad that we drive the child to a lion to devour. 

Some leaders felt I was wrong to do so, believing they should face consequences. But my upbringing taught me to balance correction with care – using one hand to correct and another to care. 

20 years later, I ran into them; now married. The lady burst into tears. 

This experience profoundly shaped me. It reinforced the importance of empathy, compassion, and standing up for what's right, even when difficult. I learned that true leadership involves caring for the vulnerable and marginalized. 

The principles that now matter most to me are: 

Integrity

Standing up for what is right, even when it is hard. 

Compassion

Showing kindness and understanding in the face of adversity. 

Empathy

Understanding and sharing the feelings of others. 

These values stem from my Christian upbringing and the example of leaders who modeled Christ-like behavior to me. My experience as a chaplain, counselor, and worship leader has also deepened my commitment to these principles. 

This experience has made me more resilient and compassionate, enabling me to support others facing similar challenges. It reinforced that true justice involves mercy and love.

Dr. Omolola Omoteso-Famuyiwa is a minister who is passionate about sharing God's words for the healing of others.