“Please kindly tell the
next person at the reception to come right in. God bless you.” Pastor Chris
said.
Mr. Emmanuel beckoned
on the next brother awaiting counselling, to come in as he walked out of the
reception.
“Good morning Pastor.”
Brother Dennis greeted as he entered the Pastor’s office for counselling.
“Please have your seat
man of God.” The Pastor offered.
“Thank you sir, and
thanks for the priviledge.” He said.
“You are welcome, so
what exactly do you need God’s counsel on?” He asked.
“There’s really no
problem sir.” Dennis said.
“And there will never
be in Jesus name.” The Pastor added almost too quickly.
“It’s about the will of
God sir.” Dennis started.
“Ok…so which of the
will(s) of God.” Pastor sighed.
“It’s about God’s
choice for me in marriage.”
“That’s beautiful; I
was going to ask you soon if you were intending to be a Reverend Father.” He
teased.
Dennis giggled.
“So what about it, now
that your vision seems clearer?”
Dennis chuckled before
he responded, “God spoke to my heart concerning Sister Tara.”
“Sister Omotara! Wao!
We thank God anyway.” Pastor Chris continued.
“Since you said it was
God that spoke to your heart, then we need to return to God for confirmation,
and proper timing for a go-ahead. So I will ask you to continue praying
fervently.” “You remember the part of the scriptures that says, the fervent
prayer of the righteous availeth much?”
“Yes Sir I do”. He
answered.
“Good! So continue
praying.” Pastor Chris ended in the common Pastoral way.
Dennis expressed his
gratitude and they prayed together.
Dennis was a young vibrant
man, in his late twenties, he was just like David in the bible, filled with the Holy
Spirit and a fine looking young man, he possessed all the qualities that would make
a lady swallow her pride. A dark and handsome man, and masculine in every way. A member of the prayer unit in God’s Grace Bible Ministry. The
branch where Pastor Chris headed in Port-Harcourt. Dennis had a right heart for
service, he believed a man was either serving God or wasting away. His
commitment to God’s work was enviable. He wouldn’t take prayer meeting for
granted. All of these qualities could make any insincere sister see him in a
vision for life partner.
Dennis has a degree
in Physiotherapy, medical rehabilitation from the University of Ibadan. He is
now back in Port-Harcourt, he’s homeland where he works for Krielson Medical
Rehabilitation Centre.
He met Omotara just when he
started attending God’s Grace Bible Ministry, just after he left his Parents’
church, where he was born, baptized and confirmed. He left there church ever since he
understood the fact that you don’t go to church by proximity but rather by
revelation.
Omotara a soft-hearted
lithe lady, who just graduated from the Rivers State University of Science Technology,
has always been faithful in church, upon her arrival from the school.
She was one of the
Sunday school teachers in church. She could teach with aptness a verse of the scripture for the next two hours. Analyzing and explaining from the
surface to the depth of unimaginable. She loved God and also worshipped Him with a
pure heart.
…………………………………………………………………….
“Come in.” Dennis said
from his sitting room.
Chidinma stepped in
gracefully to the room.
“Good evening Sister
Chidinma.” Dennis greeted.
“Evening Sir.” She
answered.
“But you came quite
late.”Dennis said.
“Am sorry I almost
forgot I promised you a visit. A friend of mine came by the house and didn’t
leave until few minutes ago. He dropped me off at our place. I'm so sorry.” She
replied.
“It’s alright, you are
here now, you are welcome to my small apartment.” Dennis said looking round his
neatly furnished two-bedroom flat. Although he was not a
lady, he still had everything in place. His neatly hung floral curtain with its
white lining. The rightly positioned air-conditioner was faithful with its duty
which made the room cosy. The rug was neatly laid and the well arranged
electronics all made the house more homely.
“So what do I offer
this spectacular woman of God?” Dennis asked as he stood to his feet. “Or rather let me
borrow one of our slangs back then in the family house of the Nigeria Christian
Corpers’ Fellowship. So what do I offer this womanaga?” He giggled.
“Youth and slangs can
almost never be separated. If you the high and spiritual brother Dennis use
slangs, then I should not be considered carnal for using them.” Chidinma
said as she swayed her unpacked hair.
“Sister Chidinma! I am
not approving of carnality. Those ones were spiritual slangs. Moreover it
made our stay in the house more interesting.” Dennis said as the
conversation went in a colloquial manner.
“Slang is slang; I
don’t find such thing as spiritual slang in my bible.” Chidinma chuckled.
"Anyway I’m fine, thank
you for the offer."
“The Christian
Association of Nigeria will soon ban all Christians from watching Africa Magic
if care is not taken.” Dennis said flipping through the channels with the
remote in his right hand.
“And why would you say
that?”
“Why not, if they
continue to emphasize that sex story is all they’ve got to display?” He said.
“I agree, they just hid
under the caution they put on the screen, of not suitable for teenagers below sixteen, because of its
values and strong languages.” Chidinma added.
“I bet it should be
changed to not suitable for serious Christians.” Dennis remarked.
It was getting quite penumbra,
the time was fifteen minutes to six.’
Dennis stepped out of
his room with his bible and jotter in his hands, and announced to Chidinma that
he had to leave for his unit meeting right away.
Chidinma liked Dennis a
lot. She was also attracted by his masculine beauty. How could a man as
handsome as his be unengaged, a tongue talking, fire branded, bible quoting,
rhema receiving brother as his! She thought. Maybe he was jilted, but who would
jilt such a handsome brother, she thought. Such brother that one could lose on
the verge of ‘Praying about it’. Much more than this, Chidinma admired Dennis
for his commitment to the things of God. She maintained their friendly relationship.
………………………………………………………………..
“Brother Dennis make
sure you see me in my office before you leave.” Pastor Chris said, as he
returned to the office.
They were just rounding
off their meeting but still had few announcements to share. Omotara came for
the meeting, since it was a prayer unit meeting and anyone was welcome.
Dennis rushed to see the Pastor in his office, just as the grace was said hoping he would be able to
see Tara if he was quick enough.
“Sister Omotara thanks
for coming for our meeting.” The brethren chorused.
“Dennis dashed out of
the Pastor’s office quickly to meet Tara. All that the Pastor said back
there didn’t receive a warm reception in his heart. His mind was on Tara all
through the meeting in the Pastor's office, he thought that how on earth would he lead a prayer point, and then stared at Omotara
while others prayed, during the meeting. His heart was surely after her.
“Good evening Sis.”
Dennis hurried after Omotara who was already walking out of the church
premises. “Good evening.” She said turning back to see who it was that greeted
from afar.
“Oh it’s you Brother
Dennis.”
Dennis raised several
topics to ensue them in a discussion as they walked along. It was such time
when there was particularly nothing to say but a discussion needed to keep them
talking.
“You should turn to the
right, isn’t it? I thought you live on Bode Johnson Street.” Tara asked as they
approached a T-junction.
“Yes I do, I just want
to walk you down the road a little further.”He said trying to impress her.
“Oh, I would be fine.
Anyway why didn’t you come in your car?” Tara asked.
“It’s gone for medical
check-up.” He chuckled.
They discussed a little
more and Dennis returned to his route.
Dennis had not taken
enough time out to pray as the Pastor asked except in his morning devotions. He
was so attracted to Tara, that he always wished he was in her class during
Sunday school.
………………………………………………………………
“Charles, open this
door before I break it.” Dennis said aloud in front of Charles’ door.
Charles opened the door
almost immediately. They have been friends right from their undergraduate days,
good ones at that.
“Young man good
afternoon, but why did it take you so long to open the door.” Dennis stepped
in.
Looking around mischievously
he said, “Or is there any sister lurking around?”
“Lurking you say! You
are just not serious, if I had a guest should that be a problem? OR you think
everyone is like you? Charles laughed clapping his hands, by now they
were already settled in the sitting room.
Don’t worry, because
you do it, doesn’t mean everybody does it. “Charles said almost winning the
argument.
“Do what? Abeg don’t
meddle with my integrity here. I was just kidding; why are you making it appear
like you caught me in the act. Please can we drop this carnal discussion?”
Dennis teased on.
“Oh now it has suddenly
become a carnal discussion?” Charles added as he dropped the tray with a glass
of juice before Dennis.
“Charles, it’s enough
now. At least I raised the issue.” Dennis shouted.
“Ok, you agree I won
then.
“Guy what is it with
you now?” Charles started again. He was an extrovert to the core.
“What do you mean?”
Dennis queried.
“A whole
Physiotherapist beeping my phone, why were you beeping me for God’s sake?
Charles continued.
Dennis replied almost immediately
in the most popular Nigerian way.
“And is there any crime
in flashing your phone when I had no airtime?”
Ok, there is really no
crime, but do you know I stood up from the toilet seat just to pick your call
and alas it was a mere beep.” Charles said.
“What! You did what?”
Dennis started to laugh aloud.
“Yes!” Charles
answered.
This time Dennis was laughing
hysterically on the floor.
“You are such a clown Bro!”
Dennis added
“Hope nothing fell on
the floor on your way to reach your phone! Or did you clean up before coming
out? He winked.
“You are not serious.”
Charles wanted to hit him but he dodged it.
Dennis wouldn’t stop
talking about it, “You did that because you are still a bachelor, you know?”
“Of course, at least
you know in a few months time that will definitely stop.
“But come to think of
it Brother Dennis you haven’t spoken to me about God’s plan for you in
marriage.” Charles changed the topic.
“It is as such time
like this you refer to me as ‘Brother’, anyway you mean my fiancée?”
“Obviously I know you
don’t have one, if you do I would know, but what are your plans concerning it
is my question?” Charles probed.
Dennis told Charles how
he thinks Chidinma is trying to come closer, and his plans to tell her that he
has no intentions towards her. He also told him how God had spoken to him about
Omotara. Charles was so happy and even teased him with the fact that maybe God
preserved her for him, because he also wondered why such a pretty sister would
be unengaged. Dennis jested too about it by asking him, if he was there when he
received the vision.
……………………………………………………………….
Few weeks later, Dennis
had an appointment with the Pastor. He came to the sanctuary in time and headed
for the Pastor’s office. Pastor Chris had just finished attending to a
partially paralyzed man; he entered right away, greeted the man of God and sat
down.
“How has been your day
Brother Dennis?” Pastor inquired.
“Splendid. Thank you
sir,” he bowed and quickly asked about the partially paralyzed man he saw
coming out of the Pastor’s office on his arrival.
“Pastor Sir, is Mr.
Cornelius now a member of our church?
“Who is Mr. Cornelius?”
Pastor Chris wondered.
“I mean the partially paralyzed
man I saw coming out of your office a while ago. He explained.
“Oh you mean that man!”
He sighed.
“Yes Sir.”
“Not at all, a member
recommended this church to him for help, moreover how come you know him by
name.” Pastor asked.
“I know him, he is such an
impatient man. He came to our office for medical rehabilitation, and he managed
to join the queue. Anyway he did at last
and met the consultant on duty.” Dennis said.
“Ok, that means he is
not in any way different.
Pastor Chris narrated
how Mr. Cornelius caused a scene in his office few weeks ago because he was rich
and wouldn’t join the line, but wanted to see the Pastor right away.
“Only God knows how
much impatience would have cost him.” Dennis said
“You can say that
again. It is in church they, make all the compromise, I don’t know why people
think God’s business is a casual business. He couldn’t join the line because he
thinks he just wanted to see a pastor, but he could wait patiently in line to
see a medical practitioner. Anyway I pray that God heal him and block every
loop hole in his life.” Pastor Chris added.
“I hope you have been
praying hard concerning what we spoke about the last time?” Pastor Chris changed
the topic.
“Yes Sir I’m doing my
best, I think I have a strong feeling and conviction about it now.” Dennis replied.
“You mean a feeling or
conviction, Brother Dennis?” Pastor Chris queried.
“Yes Sir I mean a
strong conviction to go-ahead."
“Ok then, first of all
I will like to tell you to be very sure, because most times sister’s are the
one trying to be double sure, brothers always think they know it all, because
of the size of their bible is like a concordance, they think they don’t need to
pray, they don’t read books on marriage. Sisters are the one trying to gather
details, don’t be like that. Secondly get busy with the assignment that God has
given you, don’t be distracted by this issue. Get committed to your assignment
such that each time God looks down upon the surface of the earth he will not
have to consider another man for your work.”
“Finally I would have loved
you to pray some more but if you think you are sure about the go-ahead, then I
will not hold you back.” Pastor ended.
Dennis left the office
after the Pastor had prayed for him .
………………………………………………………………………….
Omotara lay on her bed
and kept praying. She’s laid on her belly for hours making supplications to
God. Her phone beeped continually, but she didn’t pick it up.
She had always received
Dennis’ message monthly, he also received his calls once in a while. She had
always been courteous enough to reply all his messages.
It was Dennis calling
severally. When she was through with prayers, she decided to send him a message
telling him she was busy while the phone rang.
She continued to hum
the song she heard in her spirit as she came out the place of prayer. She
returned from the kitchen with a glass of water, as she settled to continue
with the business of pressing her phone.
Dennis called in. “Good
afternoon Sister Tara.” Her caller sounded.
“Afternoon Sir.”
“How are you doing today?
Just decided to say hi and I would also love to check on you at your place
later in the week if you don’t mind.
“Thank you sir, that
would be lovely. Tara answered.
“I hope you would still
remember your way down here.” She added.
“Yes I should, I have
been there times. Thank you very much.”
“Thank you for the
call. I await your visit.”
She ended the call.
………………………………………………………
Omotara raised her
curtain to see where the screeching of car was coming from.
It was Dennis.
She rushed to her room
to redress properly. Her room was upstairs in the five bedroom duplex apartment
she resided. It was her Uncle’s, Mr. Taylor.
She had come to live with them after her
graduation from the university.
She added all more powder and greased her lips slightly. Although she was not aware of
Dennis’ motive for visiting, she definitely understood that looking appropriate
all the time was no sin.
She rushed
downstairs.
She was still on the
stairways when she heard a knock.
“Come right in.”
Dennis stepped in a polo shirt and nice jeans to match. He had his suede shoes on.
“Please make yourself
comfortable.” Tara said as she led him to the major sitting room.
“Thank you, and how has
been your day?” Dennis asked as they settled on the cushion.
“Splendid! Excuse me”, she hurried off to the kitchen.
She returned with a
tray with a glass and juice.
“Please have this.” She
dropped it on the table.
They were soon
engrossed in a long conversation. They discussed a lot about themselves, from
the physical to the spiritual. Quoting and un-quoting scriptures.
They giggled at
intervals, laughed and enjoyed themselves. Dennis enjoyed her companionship
more than Chidinma’s. He was very relaxed.
Then there was silence.
Dennis knew this was his best time to let the
cat out of the bag. He summoned courage.
“Sister Omotara I
admire and love you a lot.” He started out.
“Thank you Sir.”
“More than that I am
sure God will have us partner together on the road to destiny. Dennis dropped
the bombshell.
“Sorry?” Tara’s eyes
widened.
“Yes, I love you and
would love to ask you for a serious relationship.”
Just then his phone
rang, he checked the caller quickly, it was Chidinma, he rejected the call
right away.
What sort of indolent
interference during such a delicate matter.
“Oh!” She said still
surprised.
“I am sure the Holy
Spirit is leading us to be together. He tried to convince her. He felt he was
convinced enough since he mentioned it in his morning devotion that day as the
Pastor had asked him to pray some more.
The Pastor expected him to fast and
pray, although he didn’t tell him in plain terms, he expected that he should
know better considering his level of commitment to God.
"No problem Sir, I will go ahead and speak to God about it." She said calmly.
“Thank you for coming
once again. Tara said. The duo stood in front of Dennis’ car.
Dennis entered his car.
“Bye” Omotara waved.
Dennis decided to
return Chidinma’s call right away as he drove home.
“Sorry I could not pick
your call the other time. I was in the middle of something.” Dennis said to
Chidinma over the phone.
“That’s no problem.”
Chidinma answered.
“How has been you day
Sir.” Chidinma said.
“My day has been
great.” Dennis quickly continued before Chidinma could interrupt him.
“Sister Chidinma I am
sorry but I will like to tell you that God has spoken to me about his will for
me in marriage, and you were not the one he mentioned to me.”
“Sorry? Was that for
me?”Chidinma asked.
She continued, “And why
are you informing me about God’s will for you in marriage. Anyway that’s Ok. Am
sorry if I ever disturbed you with my call at any time.” She felt very
embarrassed and ended the call right away.
Dennis felt bad, and
wanted to explain that he didn’t mean to be rude, but the line was off before
he could utter a statement.
Anyway he would not let
Chidinma disrupt the joy that was still fresh in his heart. He increased the
volume of his car stereo has he drove off.
………………………………………………………………………….
“It’s been four months
now Sister Tara since you promised to get back to me. But I haven’t received
any reply from you.” Dennis said as he drove Tara home after the prayer meeting
that evening.
“Am sorry Sir, I should
have given you a reply but I believed time was the best instrument to test such
matters.” She responded.
“Please would you stop
referring to me as Sir! Anyway what is it you want to do to my heart? Sadden it
or give it more reason to live.” Dennis continued his manifesto.
“Well I don’t know what that
means; I just wanted to have good reasons for giving you whatever answer I will
give you.” Tara answered.
“Don’t tell me you were
looking for every reason to say NO.” The car was parked in front of the Taylor’s
gate by now.
“Anyway it’s a YES to
your request Bro.” She grinned.
“Oh Yes! Thank you
thank you, he said with joy expressed on his face as he hugged her from the
driver’s seat.
“Yeah, but I need to
leave now, because Mr. Taylor wouldn't like this scene you know.
She was referring to
her Uncle.
“Alright then let me
leave because I don’t want any clash with my in-law.”
Tara stepped out of the
car and waved him goodnight.
Dennis turned on the
stereo player in his car, increased the volume, and drove home gladly.
…………………………………………………………………………
Their relationship blossomed;
they informed the Pastor every step of the way. It was three months into their relationship;
they prayed together several times and were most times in company of one
another such that almost every member of the church knew about these two love
birds. Everything went well with them.
Omotara had gone to pay
Dennis a visit in his apartment.
They raised several
discussions and laughed together at all the funny issues.
“Dennis I need to tell
you something.” Omotara started.
“Am all ears dear.” He
fondled his right hand as a sign of encouragement.
“Sweetheart I have not
taken time to share my past with you all these while.” She continued.
“I had a rough one
dear. Richard was my very first love; we met in my second year in the
University. I was already born-again, but my feet were not to firm in the
faith. Although I had the faith I didn’t understand that faith was a fight and
that if you were not fighting you would be a victim soon.” She paused to see
her fiancé’s reaction.
“OK, go on…” Dennis
said.
“So I was always
visiting Richard and we didn’t put too many cautions in place, yet we were both
committed worker’s in the fellowship.”
“We slipped into sin!
We had sex!” She dropped the bombshell and quickly continued before Dennis
could gather strength to say a word.
“It was once, but I was
already pregnant while we were asking for forgiveness and planning restitution.
The shame would be too great. I didn’t take time to discuss it with anybody
except Richard. I suggested abortion, since every other option appeared
impossible considering the home I came from.”
Dennis felt he was in a
cinema, as the lines dropped from Tara. Maybe it was a joke, maybe she was
trying to test his love for her, he wished.
Tara continued. “Richard
complied with the abortion process.”
“The process was badly
done, as there was severe bleeding afterwards.” Omotara managed to swallow the
saliva that filled her mouth, as tears rolled down her face.
“Then the doctor
brought the news that there were complications, and my giving birth would only
be by a miracle.” Tara was already on her knees crying loudly.
Dennis’ mouth was
widely agape. The shock was unbearable. He least expected it from her.
The prim and proper
Sister Tara!
The very innocent one.
The same one who
explained the scriptures with so much depth.
Gosh! But why didn’t
she tell him before he proposed to her.
Dennis wondered away in
his thought.
“Brother Dennis!” Tara
shouted.
“Oh!” he said,
recovering from his lost thought
“You are not saying
anything?” She said searching his eyes for a reaction.
“Yeah, that was in the
past. Since you have sincerely pleaded for forgiveness, then God will
definitely take control.” He gathered himself together finally, although those
words were not coming from his right senses. How could he, marry a barren
woman, on what faith level would he try that.
………………………………………………………………………..
“Pastor I don’t think I
can go ahead with the relationship.” Dennis said as he sat uncomfortably before
the Pastor.
The atmosphere was
tense in there.
“What do you mean
Brother Dennis? What! This was why I asked you to go ahead and pray about it
for months, the Pastor raised his voice.
“Am sorry Sir, but I
can’t go ahead” Dennis paced around the office.
“Moreover I thought you
said God led you into it isn't it?" Pastor Chris probed further.
………………………………….To be
continued………………………..………..
