3 Sunday Medleys

Dear Jesus,

Yipee! I’m alive on the first day of the month of June and indeed it’s Spring time.

The chirping robins, cooing pigeons, bright blue sky and scent of flowers wafting from the garden all attest to the fact.

Today is Sunday - my best day of the week cos that’s when I get to spend quality time in your presence with the rest of my christian family. That makes today a thanksgiving Sunday so I’m bubbling over with joy unspeakable.

I had a mini-concert in the shower while I took my bath singing Hallelujah by Nathaniel Bassey(I know I’m not that great of a singer but I love it cos the walls make the sound to echo and sound as though I’m in a studio or something).

I donned my purple chevron maxi gown (made me feel like the royal princess of God I truly am) and my silver wedged-heels. To compliment my my shoes, I wore my silver-studded white purse and silver accessories (earring, necklace and wristwatch). I pulled my straight and silky brown hair into a cute-looking ponytail and jelled the edges of my hair into curly edges.

Light make-up graced my pimpleless face (I really don’t like make-up, it makes me feel so artificial.

I’m glad I don’t have pimples or acne or freckles. I know the trouble most girls take to eradicate that nightmare. So, by light make-up I mean powder and lip balm only).

Everything in place, I stood to admire my reflection in front of my wardrobe’s full-length mirror. I twirled in excitement. I had to admit, I looked breathtaking.

The sun rays filtering through my opened window gave my light brown skin a golden gloss. The sweet smile I had on was so enthralling.

*Blushes* I could almost see your smile.

I left my room and went downstairs to the kitchen to make breakfast. My parents were getting dressed for church while I was at it.

After they came down from their room, I greeted them respectfully. We all sat at the dinning table to eat breakfast. Coconut bread and scrambled eggs was the general deal. For beverages, I had hot cocoa, dad had his usual coffee latte, while mom who is a fan of all natural and healthy stuff had ginger and honey tea.

Dad told me that I looked beautiful while he was driving us to church in our Lexus jeep. The church is only about an hour’s drive away from our home.

I smiled at his compliment, showing my dimple while looking at him through the rear-mirror. He winked back at me.

“Well dad, I know it’s because you chose the most angelic and beautiful woman to be my mom”, I joked.

“God gave her me, my dear”. The love I saw in his eyes while he looked at my already blushing mom was divine.

Oh Jesus, prepare for me a man who would love me for me like my dad loves mom. Better still, give me someone who will unconditionally love me the way you do.

“Oh Kennedy Abraham”, my mom slapped his arm playfully, “keep your eyes on the road, will you? I’m sure you won’t want your pretty wife and daughter dead”, Mom joked with laughter in her voice.

Thankfully, we safely arrived at our local assembly, The Redeemer’s Love Church. The joy was infectious, the love tangible and the peace settled upon us like a blanket when this family of God worshiped as one. It’s so thrilling to be in your house; almost feels like my hairs are standing on end at the thought of that.

The time for testimony-sharing came and I rose up after two others.

The first testifier was a lady who obtained favour in the sight of her boss; she was given a promotion letter instead of a sack letter, much to the disappointment of her competitors.

The second man was healed of a severe hurting pain in his lower abdomen during the course of the prayers on Friday encounter hour. The church made a joyful noise to the Lord.

Now, Lord, you know I’m a naturally shy girl. Plus this is my dad’s church and everyone knows me as the pastor’s kid. I struggled within my self at first but then, when I felt your amazing presence nudging me to go and testify of you in the congregation of the righteous I knew I had to go.

The silence that greeted me as I stepped up the podium and took the mic made all the saliva I had been struggling to maintain dry up in my mouth. I took a deep breath and silently asked you to take the wheel.

“Praise the Lord, church”. I kept hoping my voice didn’t sound like the croaking of a frog through the speakers. Thankfully, it didn’t.

Shouts of hallelujah reverberated through the 1000-seater hall that currently hosted about 600 people staring at me with expectancy.

“I’m guessing y’all know who I am so I’ll just skip the formal introduction”.

Soft murmurs of laughter filled the air. I looked at my dad who was seated in the front row with mom and some other ministers. He gave me a sweet smile of encouragement.

“I’m here to testify to God’s glory about the greatest miracle that can ever happen to any man. Earlier this week, I encountered God and surrendered my life totally to Jesus, for real this time.”

I had to pause as shouts of ‘hallelujah’, ‘glory’ and clap offerings were offered to God.

"The bible says, ‘Except a man be born-again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ It isn’t about being a pastor’s child, being born into a christian family, coming to church every blessed Sunday or even being a worker or a pastor. You’ve got to know and accept Jesus into your life. And I must tell you, these few days I have spent with him in my life have been so wonderful. I think better, sleep better, all my struggles with bad habits have evaporated and I have this peace in me that I can’t even describe."

Perfectly timed and chosen, the choir by instinct (or rather by the inspiration of your Spirit) began to softly sing ‘Amazing Grace’ with all the string instruments in perfect harmony as I proceeded to make an altar call.

Amazing grace,

How sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me,

I once was lost but now I’m found,

Was blind but now I see…

“He’s calling out to you today because he loves you. Respond now. Accept his love and allow him into your heart today. He can free you from that addiction and that secret sin. He can heal you from any kind of pain -- whether physical, spiritual or emotional. He is ready to ease your burden. Rise and come. He is waiting for you.”

At this point I was internally freaking out. One, because I never intended to make an altar call when I stepped up the altar. All I wanted to do was to share my testimony and leave as fast as I could.

Two, because I still don’t understand how those words came out my mouth and how confidence washed over me.

Three, because I was like what if no one responds?

Just as I was about despairing that no one will come forward, a girl stood up and walked towards the altar with tears all over her face. A sobered man followed. Then a guy. Then another lady. Soon a bunch of people were at the altar - about 12 or so.

By your leading, I winked at my dad whose eyes was glazed probably because his shy, little girl is now born again and is preaching salvation or maybe because he was in awe of your power to convict sinners. I beckoned on him to come to the podium.

He came over, took the mic from me and kissed my head just as I felt drops of tears escape my eyes. He then proceeded to lead the responders to Christ in the confession of salvation.

My heart was overjoyed. I actually talked in front of a crowd. Not just about random, pointless stuff, not with trepidation, not thinking about how to impress my listeners and eventually embarrassing myself. I spoke about the one thing that really matters and people responded to Jesus.

I was doing my happy twirl and squeak in my head.

I actually did that… I did that!

And softly, I heard you breathe in my heart. “You didn’t. I did.”

Completely true talk.

The rest of the service was like heaven on earth. The time of worship was definitely not in this realm but in the realm called Spiritual Worship Zone aka the Shekinah Glory Realm (my words though). With a connected heart, lifted up heart and tears cascading freely down my cheeks, I worshiped.

During the High Praises session, I danced, clapped and sang like never before. I didn’t care about what others thought. I guess I even spurred some people into deep praise. I could almost see myself like King David in the bible.

The sermon was straight from your throne. It’s title was Unceasing Worship. Formerly, it used to be so boring that I would either be secretly playing with my android phone (If I’m lucky enough, no usher would spot me and seize the phone temporally) or doodling in my church note or dozing on the chair.

I could hardly believe my ears at the sweet truth I was hearing. It was as if a light switch was put on in a dark room I was in. It was as if a royal feast was presented to a starving me. And oh, how I basked in your light; how I ate.

The service came to a close after we shared the Grace in fellowship. After I successfully escaped the myriads of people who came to congratulate, advise and pray for me concerning my conversion, I hurried to the children’s section.

I knew I would have enough time cos my mom and dad would go through the usual procession of counselling others, meetings, meetings and more meetings.

I adore little children Lord. I know you do too. I mean, only a person with a frozen heart would hate those adorable little darlings. My heart simply melts at the sight of them.

Maybe it’s because I wish I had siblings, particularly a little sister, maybe not. I don’t know but I always feel drawn to kids even when they’re in a mess.

“Ray’s here!”, the little girl I fondly call Cat (her full name is Catherine) saw me first and announced to her remaining buddies in a high-pitched excited tone.

Within a split second, all the kids surrounded me, surprisingly leaving their teacher who was sharing cookies and sweets among them.

I gave them a big bear team hug. I chuckled in amusement as I watched each one of the chattering and trying to get my attention.

“Calm down guys! Let’s go get you your cookies and I’ll tell y’all a short story”.

Yipee!

Who hoo!

Yeaah!

The children were so excited. I settled them down, collected the tray from the teacher after courtesying.

The teacher smiled at me (the smile of relief that said Thank God you came-- I was about to swoon under these circumstances).

I told them the story of David and Goliath (for like the hundredth time) while I continued distributing the cookies and sweets.

It never ceases to amaze me how they never get tired of the same story. I could see heroism springing in the eyes of the boys. The girls were silently sulking. They voted for the story of Queen Esther but majority won in the end.

As I slid dramatically into the end of the story, their parents started swooping on their so-not-ready--to-leave-yet kids, literally dragging them home. I gave hugs and blew kisses to those I could.

After dad was done with the meeting of the church council, we got into the car and headed home much to my relief.

My stomach was already rumbling in protest. I was so famished. So much for eating light breakfast.

I was surprised when instead of driving straight home, dad pulled the car over into Food-Hub, my favorite restaurant. He said we had to celebrate thanksgiving and the good news of my salvation. My mom and I couldn’t agree less. I was so elated.

Mom and I took a table while dad proceeded to order our meal at the counter. Dad came back with our food trailing behind him in a waiter’s hand. It was Fried rice, coleslaw and grilled chicken with non-alcoholic grape wine.

After blessing the food, I ate and gisted with my parents about the full details of my conversion.

They gave me good advice on how to maintain my faith and we toasted to my new found faith.

PS: in my home, it’s considered good table manners to talk while we eat. If we aren’t talking then maybe tension is tangible.

Hurrying back home was actually pointless. I was jobless seeing that I had done most of my chores on Saturday. I simply took a nap, watched TV, chatted Kathlyn up on WeChat and got my thing set for school.

Today was so amazing, all thanks to you. The smile of content is plastered on my face as I write this epistle. I’m gonna keep it fixed there while asleep -- if I can.

I love you too much. I’m falling so hard and so fast for you. You are my first true and forever love. I know I sound like a goofy and smitten love bird or something. I just can’t help it.

Well… I guess I’ve got to say goodnight now. It’s already late. Hope to have a great week and new month with you.

★★★★★

A/N: And there you have it! For those of you curious to know how Radiance looks like, I hope your imaginative minds have filled in the blanks.

I'll give special treats to anyone that can tell me some facts about Radiance, like her fav color, Dad's name and stuff... In the comment section.

God bless you a million times over.

Buh-bye!