Towards the end of 2019, I attended a reading fair for middle-schoolers with Oche, my first son, and Eneh, my niece. At the end of the fair, I challenged us to read at least one book every month in 2020. Then I suggested a plan that can help us to achieve our reading goals. Here is the plan: divide the total number of pages of a selected book by the number of days in the particular month, and that will equal the minimum number of pages to be read in a day. That way, our daily objective became more achievable and there is less likelihood of discouragement when we look at a whole book.

At the end of every month, we present to each other, a summary of the book we read, and each child is given a reward for their achievement and motivate them towards accomplishing the next reading goal. Today, we presented to each other the summaries of the books we each read in February.

At the end of the presentation I gave each one their rewards, which is usually an amount that is paid into their bank accounts. They watch as I make the transfer online. So, in addition to getting a financial reward, it also serves as a springboard to financial literacy and learning the principle of delayed gratification.

After they had received their rewards, Agbenu asked, “but dad, mom what’s your reward?”

Me: “Wow! That’s a déjà vu! Do you know what that means?”

Oche and Agbenu: “Yes.”

Oche went ahead to explain, “it is when something happens and you feel like it has already happened.”

Agbenu agreed.

Me: “Thanks Oche, that’s true! It just suddenly felt that mama had previously asked me and mom what our rewards were under this setting.”

Agbenu redirected me back to her question: “Now, so what’s your reward?” (Smiling)

Me: “I have two rewards. First, when I read a book, l learn something new and it becomes a part of my knowledge. I become a better version of myself and I can speak more confidently because I know what I’m talking about. My second reward is, you! I’m very excited that you are all now reading without anyone telling you to do so, and that you are learning something new which will help you to become more confident. That’s every parent’s dream!”

They smiled and nodded in agreement.

Agbenu: “Mom, what about you?”

Sweetheart: “My reward is the same as dad explained.”

Me: “Yes. For you guys, getting a gift reward for your accomplishment is very important. You see your reward as something coming from the outside. Right?”

All Three: “Yes.” (With varying degrees of conviction)

Me: “Please don’t get me wrong, adults also like gifts that come from the outside. But as you get older, and at my age, our rewards are mainly from the inside. The feeling of accomplishment is so good that it becomes a reward. Even more satisfying is when you use your accomplishments to help somebody.”

Oche: “Oh yeah! That’s so true!”

Agbenu: “Right?”

Me: “So, you understand what I mean. Ofu, what about you?”

Ofu: “Yeah, I feel the same way too.” (Expectedly, he’s a man of few words)

Me: “Great, guys! So let’s keep reading!”

Sincerely, I can’t explain this rewarding feeling of learning and influencing simultaneously. It’s too personal to be described. However, I know that we are into something good!

Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

Revelation 22:12.

• 3/1/20