"My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God. On behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend" (Job 16:20-21)
"Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses; but we trust in the name of the Lord" (Psalm 20:7)
"What a mighty God we serve, the creator of heaven and earth"
My voice booms as I sing with all my heart. I lead the choir to sing and I can see people experience the presence of God. I smile when I see Pastor Fola speaking in tongues. He's seated there in his usual place and he seems lost in the spirit.
Pastor Fola comes up later to talk about "Trusting God in good and bad situations". I look round the church hoping to see Paul but he doesn't show up. People are already gossiping about our break up and it's so sad that bad news travel fast. After the sermon, we raise our voices to pray for the situation in our country and for the grace to trust Him even when situations seem so bad remembering He's a mighty God.
After the service, Pastor Fola waits to greet everybody as it's his usual practice. When he gets to me, he asks me to wait behind. I am exhausted when he finally gets done with the last person. I feel like running home and crashing (sleeping without any care of the world).
"I am so sorry that this took a long time. I'd have spoken to you some other day," my pastor looks at me sympathetically.
"No problem, sir. God is my strength," I reply, smiling. He smiles back. "So, I was thinking, should we go get something to eat while we discuss?"
I want to protest but my stomach takes that moment to growl. I am on my period right now and I have crazy cravings when I am on it. "That answers it," Pastor says, laughing a little helping me overcome the embarrassment.
We sit comfortably in Sweet Sensations. Pastor decided to foot the bill even after I had protested for a very long time. We sip our drinks as we wait for the waitress to bring our food. I know Pastor loves coke now cos he just asked the waitress to bring "his usual". I can't blame him though, a single pastor would not really have a choice than to come out and eat.
"I guess you come here a lot right?" I ask before taking a sip from my juice. Don't blame me. A woman really has to watch her weight. Sometimes, I don't do a good job in that area but then I don't want it to look like I can't even control myself.
Pastor laughs before answering. I have also noticed he likes laughing and it fits him cos he has cute dimples. My God, what am I even thinking? I shake my head and concentrate on what Pastor is saying.
"Well, I come here sometimes and they know I ask for the same thing almost everytime I come. Some of the staff know me already and Linda the waitress, who just came to get our orders happens to be among those who know me.
"What of other times? Do you buy food somewhere else?" I ask before I can stop myself. I am an inquisitive person hence all my questions and being a lawyer doesn't help too.
"Well, some guys actually know how to cook," he says smiling.
"Maybe, one day I'll get to taste your food," I say without thinking, before I could catch myself again. What exactly is happening to me today?
"Maybe," Pastor says grinning.
"How are things between you and Paul now?" Pastor asks, looking at me closely. I look down before replying. I feel guilty that I haven't told him the recent events. I have been caught up in different things.
"We have broken up for real. He's getting married to another person."
"How are you taking it?" Pastor asks, with sympathy in his eyes.
"In all honesty, the day I broke up with him, I felt peace in my soul. I can't why," I reply.
"Well, I can see God at work in this situation. You've just got to trust God to lead you cos sometimes we plan stuffs but then He reminds us that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways"
I nod as Pastor says this cos all he's saying is true.
"So, what is your full name?" Pastor asks and I am taken aback at how he smoothly changed the topic. He has this air around him that screams authority, submission and respect.
"Oluwaf'irefunmi," I reply. "Yours?" I return the question.
"Oluwaf'olayimika" (God has used wealth or honour to surround me).
"Wow, that's a really cool name. I would have preferred to call you Yimika," I say smiling a little.
"Your wish is my command," he replies pretending to bow. "So, how old are you?" he continues with the 'questioning'.
I blush as I look down. I don't feel comfortable telling people my age but he's my pastor and now a friend, so why not.
"Just turned 26 recently. What about you?"
"31," he answers.
We keep asking each other questions. From general questions to personal questions.
"Lets play a game. I will ask you what I wouldn't have normally asked you and you do the same....Okay?" Yimika asks and I nod.
"Which kind of husband would you want to marry and how would you like your husband to propose to you?" I am surprised but since I promised to answer, I respond anyway.
"Well, at this point, I have decided that whosoever God brings my way as my husband is okay for me. I have stopped living the life of dictation of how I want my life to be. God understands me and the plans He has for me are good and not evil so I will just abide in Him and trust Him.
For the proposal, I would want Him to keep it simple and maybe romantic cos I am not a fan of big and elaborate proposals," I reply smiling.
"That was deep. Your turn to ask me a question"
"What kind of woman would you like to marry?" I ask
"Well, a godly woman, someone who supports my ministry and understands what it entails, filled with the Holy Spirit and what ever quality God wants her to have. And I have always wanted to marry a virgin....." Yimika says his mind drifting far away.
Something struck me. "I have always wanted to marry a virgin". It kept resounding in my ears along with "You lost your respect when you lost your virginity." I suddenly feel like puking and tears sting my eyes. I push down the vomit and I look down trying not to let the tears flow.
"Is anything wrong?" Yimika asks, puzzled at my sudden change in mood.
"No, I am good." I reply, sending him a shaky smile.
"What are your hobbies?" I ask after a moment.
"Swimming, cooking, cleaning, preaching, teaching, praying, reading the bible, watching football, driving, drawing, and the list goes on," he replies laughing again. "Your turn...what do you do for fun?"
"Cooking, drawing, writing, arguing, talking with God, taking a walk down the street, meditating and so on," I reply.
Later that day, I can't help the smile on my face. Maybe I have a new friend. Just maybe.
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