An Encounter With God And Understanding How He Does Things.

I grew up religious. My parents were church ministers so we were always there—Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. When I got to JSS 2, something happened. I had followed my parents to ‘Good morning Jesus’ before going to school. Usually mommy made food to carry to school but that day we had to be in church early so she didn’t cook. Instead, she gave me #50. With that I could get lunch and still buy some snacks. But during the service, I felt I was supposed to drop all of my #50 as offering. Mum noticed and asked why. “What will you now eat?” She asked?

I honestly didn’t know. I just shrugged and said I’ll be fine. Church ended and I found my way to school. I don’t even remember why mommy didn’t give me more money. By lunch hour, hunger pangs were clawing at my intestines. Then my class teacher sent me on an errand.

When I got back to the staff room, she told me the vice principal was calling me. I was confused. What did I do? Did someone report me? Did they find the lipstick they seized in my bag again? “Good afternoon ma.” I greeted my heart in my mouth. “Hello Sobayo. Take this #200 naira.”

“Mr. So-So came and asked after you. He has gone, but said I should give you this” I paused. Shocked to my bones this was a family friend who had been to school many times. He’d only say hello but never gave me a kobo. Why was it the day he didn’t even see me, that he left a whole #200naira?

It didn’t make sense but I knew it wasn’t a coincidence. God was saying he saw me. Though I didn’t understand the gospel until much later, that day, I knew there was a God. It’s been over 15 years and I’ve still not forgotten. God knew my name. He saw my heart and he loved me.

What happened that day wasn’t about the #50 naira or the #200 naira. It was the start of my walk with him. It was the sign I needed that he was my God too. Not just that of my parents. I no longer went to church because that’s what we did on Sundays, but because I knew He was my God too.

I understand the gospel now. It was God in Jesus, reconciling the world to Himself. He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. ANYONE who believes will never die but have eternal life. They’ll be forgiven forever. Hallelujah!