Dedicated to ajumbi ❤❤

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Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. --Hebrews 1:1‭-‬2 (MSG)

Art exhibit.

Posi's eyes took in her surroundings as she slowly opened her eyes. She had had one of those dreams again. And this time, something was different. Even now, as she slowly moved into a sitting position in bed, she felt a warmth all over her.

A warmth that she was sure her thermometer would be unable to pick. A warmth that her air conditioner couldn't cool off. It was indescribable how she felt. It was almost like God had visited her in her dream.

Posi reached for the closest notepad and pen to her. She had picked up the habit of keeping stationeries close to her as soon as she discovered that God dropped instructions in her spirit. Other times, it was to note down new revelations that dawned in her. And tonight, she knew as sure as her name was that she had heard God's voice loud and clear.

She shut her eyes as she searched her spirit to remember the exact words God had said. The second it began to come back to her, she scribbled soundlessly in her notepad. For an artist like herself, she had a very beautiful calligraphy-like handwriting but she couldn't be bothered with that as she rushed to write down all she had received. Anyone looking in on her would have thought she was in a daze or under some sort of spell; an Unseen influence.

As she made the last full stop, Posi stared at the words before she began to use her fingers to follow each word as she read it silently again to herself.

One particular paragraph struck her and she read it again:

"Masterpiece, just like I have made you, I have made many others into the same. I want you to help them see who they are. Help them to see that they are masterpieces too."

Art exhibit.

That phrase came again. She didn't know what it meant or how it correlated with the dream and instruction she just received.

Why not ask the One Who knows then?

Good idea.

"Good morning, Holy Spirit."

Good morning, Masterpiece.

It became clearer to her what she needed to do as she meditated during her quiet time.

Art exhibit it is.

*******

"Wow! That's a beautiful one, ma. I'm so glad you have met God and I'm so glad to be a part of this project." Toyin was saying. Posi had just told her about her salvation experience and the mind-boggling events that had since followed, including the instruction to hold an art exhibit.

Before Posi knew what was happening, Toyin began to sob softly. Posi stood from her seat and helped her over to the sofa in the office. She didn't know what to do. She had never consoled anyone before. Moreover, Toyin was such a bundle of happy-giggly bubbles that she never thought she'd see her cry.

What am I going to do bayii?

Then she remembered what her friends did when she had had her breakdown. She moved noiselessly towards Toyin and held her hands. And waited till she finally settled into sniffles.

"I'm so sorry about this," Toyin said in her hoarse voice.

"It's fine, Toyin. What's the matter?" Posi was concerned. She had thought that nothing could deflate Toyin's bubbliness but apparently, she was wrong.

"I was just reminded of what I had gone through growing up. If I had someone to tell me what a masterpiece I was then, I wouldn't have taken so long in letting God have the reins over my life."

Posi was still confused. She had only shared the idea about the upcoming art exhibit the studio was going to host. Nothing had ever burst Toyin's happy bubbles before. Not even her normal porcupine-like persona.

Toyin's increasing shudders shifted Posi's attention back to her. It felt like she was about to share something she hadn't spoken out loud in a while.

"I battled with body dysmorphia while growing up. And nobody in my house knew. It had started with playful teasing about my body size from my classmates when I was in secondary school. It progressed to full-on bullying. Then, puberty hit me hard and I seemed to have a more endowed chest compared with every other girl in my class. I was called names I can't even say out loud now, pranked mercilessly and sometimes, my seniors punished me for no reason. If my family noticed that I was more withdrawn than usual or quieter, they said nothing about it." Toyin sniffled again.

"I tried everything from tying my chest with bandages, to wearing bigger clothes especially when I got into the University. I avoided socializing and just kept to myself because I thought people would bully me again. All of a sudden, I started to attract the attention of guys in my school. It was like the idea of a perfect female changed and these guys just wanted to talk to me, hang out with me, and some even asked me out."

"My struggle to accept myself and my body made me get into toxic relationships. And I went from one into another. All they wanted was sex and I sincerely thought that was all I had to give. Till I met God. It wasn't easy accepting my body and healing from the hurtful words or toxic relationships but it was a journey I'm glad I went through. I got better with time and even went for therapy concerning it." Posi watched as Toyin blew her nose loudly.

Who would have known?

"Only God knows how many times I tried to commit suicide and failed. Only God knows every ugly bitter part of me. But I'm not who I once was. Not anymore. He changed me into His own peculiar treasure. I'm just glad that many more people will come to know that they are masterpieces irrespective of what has been done or said to them. Irrespective of what they have done themselves. Thank you."

In a flash, Toyin's signature bubbliness appeared and with so much enthusiasm, she said, "I'm definitely putting my all into this."

And the Toyin I know is back.

Posi didn't know what to say. But she did one thing. She moved closer to her and gave her a warm hug. It was just wonderful to know that God's people don't look like what they have been through.

The healing journey was a necessary one, teaching that the past was indeed past. It had happened but didn't have any hold on them anymore.

*******

Tayo was indeed glad to be seated beside Posi in the church auditorium. The atmosphere was just perfect.

For the word.

Pastor Toba just finished teaching and it was awesome. He had received so many answers and he was super glad to have a God Who cared about him enough to set him in his church with the right shepherd just so he would know the truth and abide in it.

Posi was busy scribbling in her notepad as she had all through the sermon. It was almost like she had another sermon written out, out of the one Pastor Toba just taught on. She had written almost three pages of words, with exclamations in some places and even caricature drawings in others.

Besides that, his peripheral vision was intent on scanning her side view and numerous facial expressions. He was sure that if she was a thesis, he'd have had her figured out. She whooped after everyone was done whooping like she got the revelation a second late. She scrunched her nose when the keyboardist added some embellishments during the pastor's preaching. She scribbled in her book like she didn't want to lose any bit of revelation and she glared at the back of a particular lady's head who was set on distracting everyone with her movements throughout the sermon.

He had almost burst out in laughter then, but he remembered where he was. All in all, his day was pretty amazing. And she had done great work on the frames too.

"Let's share the grace in fellowship, " a minister said, bringing Tayo back to the present.

Ah ah. When did service start that it has ended? Na wa o.

If you had been attentive, you wouldn't be asking such questions.

Tayo walked side by side with Posi as they tried to navigate their way out of the auditorium.

"So, I know I have said this before but I love the frames. They are so well done," Tayo began.

"It's my job but thank you all the same. So how was service?"

"Amazing. I have answers to some questions that have been bugging me for a while. It's simply beautiful to know that God is mindful of me," he said.

"My goodness. I was thinking the same thing. Like I received an instruction from Him and I didn't know what to do or how to go about it but I do now. God is just amazing!"

Tayo watched her eyes alight with a truly contagious joy. I could watch her all night.

No-uh. That's not possible, Tayo. You people should go home.

It was a figure of speech, Holy Spirit. Or what do they call those things?

Yeah, right. Go home. And let her go home too.

The Holy Spirit sure was full of humour and intent on getting him home. He didn't even know how many times He had made him laugh.

"Anyways, where are your friends?"

"They are waiting by the car. I'm going to Funmi's place tonight."

"A girls' night. I see. I'm so jealous right now."

With incredulity dripping in her tone, she asked, "You want to join us? But you're obviously not a girl."

He burst into laughter right then. "You're just full of witty comebacks, aren't you? I meant I miss my friend 'cause we would have had a "boys' night" if he was here."

"Yeah, right."

Tayo saw two pairs of hands waving in their direction. "Your friends are waiting. I'll see you later. There's a painting I want to do. Will talk to you about the details soon."

"Okay then. Later."

"Enjoy your girls' night."

"Don't pout," she said in between laughs as he grumbled that he wasn't. "Okay, we will invite you to a day out, all four of us. Is that okay?"

With a thoughtful look, he said, "I'll think about it. And I even have to check my schedule. I will see if I can squeeze you in." At that, he stuck his tongue out at her.

"That's real mature of you. Keep dawdling. I'll change my mind now."

"Who says dawdling in this day and age?" He asked with a dry tone.

"I do." At that, they both heard a honk that signalled Posi's exit. She waved at him as she walked towards the car.

This girl.

I thought I said y'all should go home.

I'm leaving, sir.

"You people should have stayed there na. Later, you will be saying 'he's my good friend'. If Gerald hadn't honked at you, you both would have kept on with your "discussion"", Funmi teased.

"Leave me jare."

Gerald cleared his throat and looked at Posi through the rearview mirror.

"What happened to you?"

"Me? Nothing o, nothing, " he responded, making all three of them burst into laughter.

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

God wants to have a working, intimate relationship with us. Not an entanglement, situationship, flirtationship or any other ship with unstable anchors.

Love and Light.
❤💥