THE COST OF NOT SAYING NO

The Cost of Not Saying No

Few years ago, a friend was unexpectedly given notice to vacate his rented home. While he was scrambling to save money for a new apartment, he begged me to store some of his belongings including his mattress at my place. 

I agreed, and he moved his things in. I had no idea that certain items, like beds, needed to be inspected or sun-dried before bringing them into your home.

Months passed before he retrieved his belongings. By then, we had already begun noticing a bedbug infestation.  

The situation became unbearable. The infestation was massive. Every cushion, piece of furniture, and even our cabinets were affected. My wife nearly moved back to her parents' house 🤣🤣. I spent over ₦30,000 buying every possible insecticide from major supermarkets.  

We threw out our own bed, and pillows. It was my first encounter with such a disaster. It took months before we stopped seeing the bedbugs.

To this day, I don’t know which insecticide finally worked and get rid of it. I was desperately buying every chemical I could find and dousing the house. I incurred serious costs replacing our possessions all because I couldn’t simply say No.

There is a time for No. If you have young teenage daughters, you cannot house male friends. As a young married couple, you cannot house opposite-gender friends whether connected to the husband or wife. You cannot accept just any property into your home, especially with young children.  

Set boundaries firmly, even if you’re called wicked. Do it respectfully, but prioritize your family’s well-being. The safest support is often helping outside the home during a family’s disaster.

Until the moment when will shall dance in white Greater Grace.

Oyugbo Osagie Jonah 

Oyugbo JONAH Osagie