Dedicated to Walking-Universe ❤❤

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. --John 3:17 (KJV)

It had been one week since Posi's meeting with her client had been cancelled and she had even forgotten about it. She moved around her office to put things in order from her latest painting. She was so sure her drawing pad had suffered a lot in the past week as she had painting after painting to do. It seemed like the season was filled with people that wanted to do a painting of their loved ones.

She wasn't complaining because it was good for business but her shoulder and wrist were definitely complaining. The pain was becoming almost unbearable and she didn't want it to reach a stage where she wouldn't be able to use her hand. She made a mental note to go see Gerald as soon as she could.

What was he a Physiotherapist for if he couldn't treat her?

She smiled as she tried to picture Gerald's expression if she said that to his face. He would probably just give her the stink-eye and call her a goof.

She heard a knock followed by the opening of her office door as Toyin walked in with her ever-present smile plastered on her face. "Good morning ma'am. You look beautiful, as usual."

Posi shook her head as she sent a small smile her way.

This child.

"Good morning Toyin. Thank you." She turned her attention back to arranging her table before she sat down. "Anything?"

"T.D Corporations called to set up a date and time for the meeting with the boss. They apologized for just reaching out and asked to get back to them if that day is fine," Toyin reported still smiling.

Posi was almost irritated again with the peaceful aura she exuded. She shut her eyes as if the glow was too much for her eyes.

Gosh! Can she tone it down? She doesn't need to rub her trouble-free life in my face. And these ones are just calling, after one week. This is my life.

"Ma'am?" Posi heard.

"Uh, okay. What day did they propose?"

"The 20th of this month by 10am. That's in three days time, on Monday. The venue is The Kerrington Towers ma'am," Toyin responded as she shut the handy notepad she had read out from.

"Hmm. Okay. That day is fine. You can let them know that I'll be available." She turned to her laptop as if to say "You can leave now" to her assistant. However, she noticed that Toyin still stood before her table, smiling like she had just won the lottery.

"Yes? Is there any other thing?"

It is amazing how we can say one thing and still communicate another different thing non-verbally. Posi's tone showed pure disinterest and if it was anyone else, they'd have taken the cue.

"Yes ma. I just wanted to say Jesus loves you and that you should return your mum's call. Everything will be alright."

Stunned, Posi flinched visibly.

Had she been spying on her calls? How did she know about her mum calling her? And what is this about Jesus? What is wrong with this girl? I have been too nice, obviously.

Yes you have. Give her a piece of your mind. Show her you are not to be trifled with.

"Have you been spying on me? When did all this familiarity begin?" Posi bellowed. For such a small being, it was a wonder how her voice could reverberate like thunder.

"I'm sorry ma. But no, I haven't been spying on you. The Holy Spirit spoke to me. Je–"

"One more word out of you and I will fire you. I have definitely been too nice. Let this be the last time you will mention this Jesus-Spirit jargon to me," Posi growled, as she turned her furious eyes on Toyin.

Yes. Show her who's boss.

"Yes ma. I didn't mean any harm. I'm sorry once more," Toyin said. "I will take my leave, ma."

Spouting expletives in rapid succession like an AK-47, Posi watched as Toyin made her way out of her office. She shook her head again. What audacity! Only one thing baffled her. Toyin hadn't seemed shaken by all her shouting and she said it was a spirit that told her about her mum.

It's just false bravado. And she must have seen you avoid a call from your mum.

That wasn't just bravado. She looked calm and peaceful and unperturbed. This Jesus—

No. Which Jesus? He's just someone all these religious fanatics use as a means to pretend to be righteous. And a means to keep other people in bondage to an invisible "god".

She shook her head as if to shake off all the thoughts running through her mind. She had a lot to do and a deadline to meet. All this talk about a Jesus and spirits was enough for the day.

If there is someone like that, he should come and meet me. All these unseen things are not for me.

****

"Who's smoking?"

Startled, Posi swung her gaze upwards only to find Gerald standing in her doorway. Obviously, she hadn't heard a knock or any movement to show that someone had walked in.

With a confused look on her face, Posi turned her head upwards while taking a sniff of her environment before rolling her eyes at her friend. "Who? Why am I even asking? You know I don't smoke. It must be your imagination."

"You must be, darling 'cause you're smoking hot," Gerald responded with a pleased look on his face.

Posi gave him a long hiss and an exaggerated eye roll that caused Funmi to laugh. "I told you she wasn't going to buy it."

"I was only paying her a compliment na. Somebody cannot compliment their friend again?" Gerald asked with a look of feigned hurt on his face.

"Nothing you say or do will make me forgive you guys. At least, not for now." Having said that, she turned her attention to the curve she was trying to make perfect before they came in. "You guys should leave my doorway o."

She heard a sigh that sounded like it came from Funmi. "Gee, I guess we should just return the small chops we got from Bites 'n' Chops."

At that, she paused and peered at her friends through her glasses till she heard. "You know that's not possible. Let's give it to Toyin on our way out."

Jumping from her seat, she moved swiftly towards them and flashed her best smile. "C'mon guys. You cannot do that to me now. You know their small chops combo is my favourite. Hand it over." She splayed her hands out to receive it, only for Funmi to hold the package behind her.

"If we hand it over, then you will forgive us," Funmi said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Rolling her eyes again, Posi responded, "Yes yes. I forgive you. Now, give it."

As she extended her hand to collect the bag, she heard Gerald add, "And you will cook me that your spaghetti ehn. Thank you."

"I have heard. Gimme na," she said as she pouted causing the two to laugh. Of course, they were the only ones she was so free and open with. It had taken years of patience and love on their end for her to open up to them but it was totally worth it.

Moving to sit with them on the lone three-sitter in her office, she opened her plate of small chops and began to eat, giving low satisfying moans as she ate. Posi looked up when she noticed the silence, only for her friends to burst into another round of laughter.

"I love my small chops. You people should leave me alone," she responded around a mouth full of food.

"Ìwo lomò," Funmi said as she gave a look to Gerald before she continued. "We want to invite you to service this Sunday. We've been having a series of teaching which will run for the rest of the month. And we thought you'd enjoy it."

Posi looked at her friends and sighed. They had been trying to get her to come to church or preach to her ever since they got born anew. Or was it born afresh they called it? No, that wasn't it.

Born again. Yeah that's the one.

They hadn't stopped talking about their newness ever since that day they attended a concert when they were in the university. What she hadn't been able to understand was that they had all been together when this happened but it seemed the "spirits" that her friends and even Toyin believed to be at work skipped her.

They had been coming from their favourite hang-out spot on campus one day when they had heard singing and shouting in one of the halls on their campus. One pastor who was well-known had been invited for the programme and the trio had gone into the hall basically because the ushers outside the hall had seen the look of curiosity on their faces and had clamped onto that. The ushers did all they could to invite them in, except to visibly carry them inside the auditorium. And finally their persistence had won, although they had refused to seat where they were ushered to and opted for the back seat, just in case they'd need to scamper out.

After the electrifying worship session, all three of them had been uncomfortable to say the least and she had wanted to leave, but Funmi and Gerald claimed to want to see the end of the "show". Suddenly, during the programme, there was a change in the atmosphere that she herself had felt.

The pastor had begun to mention different situations and many in the congregation responded. He had mentioned family situations that only the family members of those concerned could have known. And that made her skeptical till she heard Funmi weeping and speaking incoherently beside her. Next was Gerald, who fell face forward on the floor muttering something like "forgive me" over and over.

Posi had tapped them, asking what was wrong but they hadn't responded to her; couldn't respond maybe. As if that wasn't enough, the pastor spoke more about some cases and she knew he was talking about her friends who had rushed forward for the man to 'lay hands on them'. She had watched as her friends crumpled to the floor as she thought about how she had never seen such display of madness before. Before she knew it, her friends began to speak a strange, untoward language. It almost sounded like another spirit had taken over their bodies, that made them speak in such an alien language like the ones she saw in the sci-fi movies.

Since then, they had been Christians while she remained unborn, as she loved to joke.

Deep down, Posi had wanted that same experience and had waited for whatever spirit that was speaking to the man to also mention her own case but nothing happened. She even asked for a sign to know if all that was happening was real. All she had felt was an overwhelming need to cry, but she wasn't one for public displays of emotions. So she had struggled to keep a lid on it and just stared blankly. She wasn't going to cry for absolutely no reason.

If this God was still deciding to choose who He wanted and He clearly didn't want her, why should she bother?

She remained friends with them and they did everything to just bring her to church. They succeeded sometimes but Posi just went for the popcorn or suya nights the fellowships had.

Breaking out of her reverie, she smiled and said, "Maybe next Sunday. The client," giving them a look, "you people dumped on me wants to meet on Monday and I need to prepare for it."

If they knew that she was just making excuses, they didn't say anything. They just smiled and nodded.

"So, when are you guys doing your Introduction? The wedding and engagement dates have been settled, right?"

Funmi and Gerald nodded in excitement as they went in to answer. Posi was very happy for them, they both deserved each other. But she couldn't refrain from thinking if there was someone who she deserved or who deserved her.

As soon as Toyin shut the door, she let out the breath she was holding.

Ah Lord God! I told you she would react that way.

Or I told you she would react that way?

Ehn, it's the same thing na. She was so sure she heard a laugh.

Okay okay. You told me. But I wasn't able to reach her. Toyin sighed.

That's not your work, dear child. You did what I said and you're blessed for      it. I will take it up from there. Just keep praying for her. Now get back to work.

Thank You! Yes Daddy. Toyin cooed. Any onlooker would have thought her to be crazy but she didn't seem to mind.

Ehn ehn Daddy. About that idea…

**********************************

Toyin's relationship with God is just so interesting to read about. One amazing thing is that it can also be my, your, our experience with Him. He wants us to commune and communicate with Him in the good, bad and ugly.      

Posi's got a lot to learn about God and Jesus and the "spirits". 😂😂

In what ways can you preach the gospel to your family or friends?
Please, drop your comments here 👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾

Till next update,
Love and Light. ❤☀