How the Shekere I didn't steal became mine.

Shebi Bible said we should covet earnestly the best gifts?😂 Better read first you judgmental soul.

I got tickets for the Hallelujah Challenge Festival that took place on the 25th of October 2024. I am in the main hall, my hands are lifted high, and I learn a ton of new songs in the course of the event but I'm returning back home with an instrument that is not mine

If you are thinking “Abi Fiyin ti n jale ni?”…. Let God be the judge. I could have won a giveaway now, don't you think?😂

Oya lean in let me tell you what really happened

After the Young Ministers Retreat (YMR) last year, (let this be your cue not to miss YMR 2024 “Floodgates”), I was determined to take my walk with God a notch higher, because why would I just be clapping my hands? That was too raw and bare, I should spice it up with something else

So you see, I want you to know that even if you can't play any instrument, you are still an instrument in God’s hands.

Osheyyyyyy, you see what I did there?🤭😌purrrr💅

Back to context

I needed spice! Godly spice!

During last year’s YMR I saw many people raise and make use of this particular instrument we popularly refer to as Shekere in Yoruba. I got to know that the actual name it's called is Maraca. Funny right? 😂

It happened that a few days after YMR, I went to the nearest resourceful market near me to acquire my own instrument of praise, I was happy, excited and couldn't wait to start using it to praise God. Sadly I do not have a picture of it right now but it was a blue Maraca.

Holding it in church on Sundays felt so special to me. I would beautifully stare at the fine contrast between my skin and my maraca. So pleasant a sight.

Better don't be distracted 😂

Some months into the year, I forgot the maraca with a friend on one occasion and felt pained. Getting it back wasn't hard, but I knew it wasn't going to be that simple.

Fast forward to this year October.

Prior to the Hallelujah Challenge Festival, I had made plans that I was going to get another maraca, this time, I wanted one with a wooden handle grip. I only made a mental note of it but hadn’t been intentional about it.

This pretty lady sits next to my right during the festival, she has a maraca with her, she's using it occasionally (of course what was I expecting?😂), I steal a glance at it and say within me, I must get mine. But here’s the juicy part of the story

This pretty lady asks for my name, collects my number, saves it and promises to send a message. She would have done it on the spot but for my phone and power bank which were both flat, I had even lent her power bank earlier which I agreeably understand people can be reluctant with cause I noticed the little sign of disapproval that curved around her mouth when I initially asked for it.

But she was really cool because we were laughing together during the live testimonies session and she had leaned in on me at a point (don't ask me why please 😂) Me I vibe with Christ sha…. If you don't gerrit, fogerrabourit.

She took a video (one of the many) and tilted her phone camera in my direction as a fine girl I turn to her side in response and smile while singing along in unison. I was expecting that Wura (the name of this pretty lady) would send the video to me and I would receive it later that morning after I must have powered my phone, but I waited and waited no message came in from her

Not my crush in this context

Asides from the video I was expecting, on my way out of the hall after the festival was over, I saw Wura’s Maraca where it was tucked in her seat, she had left before me, I immediately stopped in my track and said “This lady forgot her maraca” I would have walked on but with a look of familiarity on my face, I concluded “Wura got my number, I’ll pick this up and look for how to get it back to her”.

With that, friends, I picked it up and went home with it. Till date, Wura hasn't texted me perhaps she wouldn't even think I saw her maraca where it was tucked but you know what amazes me, I wanted a maraca with a wooden grip and that was exactly what Wura’s was.

And then I'm asking myself, did God really do this?

I had barely said it, I didn't even say it out loud but God did! 🍷

When I think of the whole turnout, I remember Luke 12:27

But If Wura texts me this week or in the week to come, I’d still be glad because I actually wish she texted.

I hope this does a thing or two for you!

Know that God loves you dearly and I do too🫶🏽💙

PS: Next Week’s letter will be a special cause it'll be my birthday

TFA🫶🏽🍷