The pastor of Grace Family Global Outreach, Patrick Henry Edet has advised highly placed people in the society to always remember to show appreciation to people who helped them to rise above vicissitudes of life.
Edet, a former Reverend Father of the Catholic Church gave the admonition on Sunday when members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council worshipped in the church at Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo as part of the activities marking the beginning of 2019 Press Week, saying such attitude attracts enduring blessings to people.
He paid glowing tributes to the Catholic Church in helping him to realise his potentials in life, stating that he has been going to show appreciation to the church.
The man of God preaching under the topic: Go Back To Bethel said there was a need for people to always remember their lowlife period and go back to show appreciation to people who helped them to rise above vagaries.
Reading from Genesis 28:10-22, he described Bethel as a place Abraham built an altar and is usually a place of difficulty, hardship, rejection, demotion, and poverty. In fact, it is the common point of departure in life.
“Everybody has Bethel. You have an origin. Go back to the origin to show gratitude. Bury selfishness and embrace selflessness. Selfishness abhors gratitude, but selflessness thinks of thanksgiving.
“I want to believe that nobody started big or great. Every great man or woman today started small. We started in a little way, not a big way. Every marriage, business or academic that is great today did not start in a big way.
“If you are great today, your father may not have been great. If your father is great, your grandfather was not great. Once God has elevated your status, do not forget how you started and the people who started with you. Always keep in memory the period of penury.
“Remember your uncle who sponsored your education. Do not despise him or his siblings. Remember your mentor in politics. Do not ignore and look down on him when it is well with you. Remember your marriage partner and how you started. Do not kick him or her out because it is well with you. Do not fail to show gratitude to people who aided you to rise to the zenith,” he enjoined.
The state NUJ Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk thanked the church for giving them the opportunity to worship there, saying their thanksgiving was a return to Bethel for the grace God has shown to the union.
Flanked by members of the state Executive council of the union, Etuk called for a synergy between the church and the union in an effort for the union to witness more progress.
