I was thinking this morning.... Last Tuesday, I joined a few friends and colleagues for dinner at a nice restaurant at Zone 4, Abuja. When we were done devouring the content laid before us, it was time to gist while picking our teeth. We were still on it when one of us told the story of Akpan and his boss, which made us laugh so hard.
Akpan was a house boy who loved picking his teeth after eating and drinking. You can argue that Akpan would pick his teeth after drinking water. His oga got angry one day, called him and said, "Akpan, how can this new pack of toothpick be almost empty?Why is it that you are always using so many toothpicks and throwing them in the bin? Don't ever do that again," he concluded.
For the next few weeks, the quantity of toothpicks in the pack did not drop, and Oga was happy Akpan got the message. Weeks later, madam observed Akpan pick his teeth and put the used toothpick back in the pack. "Akpan, what the heck are you doing?" She yelled. Akpan responded, "My oga say I dey finish the toothpick because I dey use the toothpick and throw am. Na im I say make I put am back after I use am, make e for no finish." Madam almost fainted.
Oga thought to save some money by ordering Akpan not to use toothpick. Now Akpan is using the toothpick and putting it back for Oga to use. Chai! It's a tragedy. How you treat those working for you could determine if you would experience the tragedy of Akpan's toothpick. We've read stories of unhappy domestic staff using oga and madam toothbrush to wash the toilet bowl and put it back for them to use to brush their teeth. It can be akin to the tragedy of Akpan's toothpick.
You employ people to work in your shop or office, and you treat them like slaves. They may not talk back at you, but they sabotage you in various ways. That also can be likened to the tragedy of Akpan's toothpick. Is your subordinate and employee getting under your skin? Discipline them but do so with love to avoid experiencing the tragedy of Akpan's toothpick. Colossians 4:1: "And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don't forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master — God in heaven.”
Stay hopeful. God's got our back.
Happy Sunday!
......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey