Gospel music star, Lara George, marked 10 years of wedded bliss on September 4, 2014 and she decided to commemorate it with a new album, Love Wantintin. A law graduate from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lara found fame as a member of the now defunct all-girl group, Kush. However, following the breakup of the band, she released her first solo album, Ijoba Orun in 2007. Lara, who developed passion for music while in the choir at her Alma Mater, Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, now doubles as a legal practitioner. In this chat with Daily Sun’s The Entertainer column, shespeaks on the good, the bad and the ugly of her 10-year-old marriage. Excerpts:
What inspired your latest album, Love Wantintin?
I feel love should be celebrated. 10 years in marriage is a milestone but when I look back, it feels just like yesterday when I got married and to be honest with you, there was a moment in my marriage when I was not that sure if I could make it to the next stage and then, suddenly, I woke up one morning only to find out that I am 10 years old in the marriage. I was so excited I wanted to celebrate and throw a party; I wanted to write a song that talks about long lasting love; that was what inspired Love Wantintin.
Talking about marriage, 10 years is a long time to stay married, what is the secret?
It is all about believing in God. You know, every day you have to pray and commit your family to God; it is all about prayer. The entertainment industry is very challenging because the spotlight is on us. Consequently, every flaw that you have is magnified a million and one time over. The bottom line is that one has to be very prayerful and that’s what I do. I go on my knees and commit my family to God in prayers and the prayers have been working; I just have this firm belief in God. prayer. The entertainment industry is
Ten years after, could you say that your marriage has been blissful all the way?
Of course not. It has not been blissful all the way. I will be lying true my teeth if I say that. No marriage is blissful 100 per cent of the time. I think the joy is being able to overcome the challenges that come, because I will be lying if I say there have been no challenges these last 10 years. Yes, my husband and I have had our own fair share of challenges but by God’s grace, we have surmounted each and every one, and my prayer is that we will continue in Christ every day till death do us part.
Could you share some of those challenges you faced in the last 10 years?
(Laughter) You know patience could be very challenging because it is the ability to understand and overlook the flaws of your partner. And you know, there are days that you just want to explode! But remember, the anger of a man is not worth the righteousness of God. So when you allow anger to becloud your judgment, you create a lot of problems. My husband and I had to learn to take every negative emotion aside and dump them in the backburner and make the Spirit of God our watchword so that our home will be where the Holy Spirit abides.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming artistes?
They should not be afraid to start small; everybody wants to blow in the twinkle of an eye. You know, we have this fast food mentality today and that is the truth. But don’t forget that the Iroko tree did not grow its root in one day. Up-and-coming artistes should not despise small beginnings but have faith in God and keep at it no matter the challenges.
