Chapter 28: A woman with a Vision

Susan’s tailoring business was going well, even though customers didn’t come every day. She was grateful for every little progress she made.

One evening, while scrolling through social media, a colorful advertisement caught her eye. It was for a fashion school enrollment hosted by one of her favorite celebrity stylists. Her heart leaped with excitement as she clicked on the link for more details, but when she saw the training fee, her excitement dimmed.

Still, she couldn’t shake the thought. If I can get a certificate from this academy, she told herself, it will take my business to another level. She had some savings but it wasn’t enough.

When she shared her dream with her mother, she offered her some money too, but even that didn’t cover the full cost. Susan decided to try applying for a loan, but most agencies wanted collateral or proof of steady income, things she didn’t have.

Days later, Richard returned to Nigeria. The moment he settled back, he reached out to Susan, letting her know he was back and would love to visit. He had decided that this time, he would stop running from his feelings. He only needed to keep them in check.

That Friday, Richard arrived at her house. Susan was bent over her sewing machine, focused on her work. She smiled as she welcomed him in.

“How’s your mother?” he asked.

“She went out for her business,” Susan replied.

Before they could begin their discussion, Susan’s phone rang. It was one of the loan agencies. She excused herself and stepped into her room to answer the call. A few minutes later, she returned with a forced smile. Richard noticed the shift in her expression immediately.

“What’s wrong, Susan?” he asked softly.

“Nothing serious,” she tried to brush it off.

He leaned forward. “You can be honest with me.”

Taking a deep breath, she finally explained everything, the fashion academy, the cost, and how she had been trying to raise the money. She showed him the advert on her phone and told him about her dreams of growing her business.

Richard listened with admiration. He was proud of her determination to rebuild her life and follow a new path. “Did you check if the school is genuine?” he asked.

“Yes, I did,” she replied. “It’s one of the best.”

After a moment of thought, Richard said, “I’ll help you with the money, but you must promise to stay dedicated and committed to the training.”

Susan’s eyes widened in surprise. “I can’t just take that kind of money from you,” she said softly. “If you really want to help, let it be a loan. We’ll write an agreement for when I’ll pay it back.”

Richard smiled at her sincerity. At first, he wanted to refuse, but her sense of responsibility impressed him. “Alright,” he agreed. “We’ll do it your way.”

Susan’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you, Richard. I don’t even know how to say how grateful I am.” He nodded gently. “Just do your best, that’s all I ask.”

As he watched her smile with new hope, Richard felt a warmth in his heart. Helping her didn’t just make him happy, it gave him peace.

After Susan thanked Richard again for his kindness and offer, she relaxed a bit, and the air between them grew calm. Richard adjusted himself on the seat, gently steering the conversation to the reason for his visit.

“Susan,” he began, his tone calm but firm, “about the dreams you told me before I travelled… I’ve been praying about them, and I believe they weren’t false.”

Susan’s brows drew together slightly. “What do you mean?”

He hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words. “I mean that I’ve also received revelations that point toward what you’ve been seeing. But we have to handle this with care and sincerity. Dreams like that can be delicate, and we don’t want to rush ahead of God.”

Susan looked at him silently, her heart pounding. “So, you think it’s true?” she asked in a low voice.

Richard nodded slowly. “Yes. But truth doesn’t always mean ‘now’ or ‘immediate.’ It means something real is being revealed, and we must understand it the right way.”

She sighed softly, her eyes dropping to her hands. “I’m not uncomfortable with it,” she said quietly, “but… I just feel like you’re too good for me, Pastor Richard. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I can’t even imagine standing beside someone like you.”

Richard smiled gently. “Don’t say that. None of us is perfect, Susan. God doesn’t choose based on our past, but on His purpose. Still, let’s not rush to any conclusion. The best thing we can do now is to see where this leads.”

She looked up at him, a little surprised. “What do you mean?”

“I mean we should take time to truly know each other,” he explained. “Not as pastor and church member, but as two people trying to understand what God might be doing. If, in the process, we discover that our hearts align, then we’ll know for sure. But if not, at least we’ll have handled it with truth and peace.”

Susan was quiet for a while. She didn’t know what to say. She had already made up her mind that their paths could never meet in that way. But hearing him speak so calmly, without pressure or pride, stirred something inside her.

“Alright,” she finally said, her voice soft. “If that’s what you think is right, then I’ll trust your lead. Let’s just see where it goes.”

Richard nodded with a gentle smile. “That’s all I ask, Susan. One step at a time.”

The moment settled between them, calm, yet heavy with unspoken emotion. Both of them felt that something new had quietly begun.