07/12/2019
OPEN LETTER TO OUR DAD ON HIS BIRTHDAY 😘
Hey Dad,
You know, you're such a unique person and a unique pastor.
There are sooooo many things about you that butress this. And I'll take them one after the other every birthday till Jesus comes. 🙂
Today, I'd like to use this opportunity to celebrate two things about you that I love so much.
What an great man you are! What an anointing you carry! Anointed to the teeth, yet humble. A combination so rare in a Nigerian Pastor. Lol.
Humility is often misunderstood to be quietness, silence in the face of oppression, subservience.
Or a poorly disguised inferiority complex.
That's psuedo-humility, the Nigerian version.
True humility, is knowing who you are, being confident in that knowledge and yet choosing not to project your significance over other ppl.
You sir, are a prime example.
I've watched you pick your words carefully when trying to counsel or correct someone.
Of course, not because you are scared of them, but because you are considerate of them, and you value them above their foolishness.
You are someone who has a lot of influence over others. Yet you would never use that influence to demand anything, not even your rights as a Shepherd over a flock.
I've observed the time and dedication you give to your gifts, to your skill. Yet you will not announce it or 'market your anointing' on the pulpit.
You are quicker even to share the testimonies of others, than of yourself.
Anytime you receive something from someone, I see the amazement, the appreciation; again, not because you think you are not worth that and much more, but you truly appreciate the heart of the giver.
You are very quick to put others at ease. And you are quick to offer a platform for expression where you think they need it. In fact, you will push them to be better. I've never seen a pastor so unafraid to let others shine. Only someone who is truly secure in who they are can do this.
True humility doesn't see it self as superior to others. It appreciates everyone's uniqueness and specialness. That's you.
I've seen you several times, take on burdens or responsibilities from others, just so that the work of the ministry doesn't tire them. Where others will be quick to praise themselves for doing so, you'll just take it on with a smile.
I have seen several times, you nursing wounds- emotional wounds, insults to your pride- inflicted on you by your flock, yet never bleeding on them. Same flock you preach your heart out to everytime.
You very rarely give up on anyone. I've seen it maybe once or twice. But with great struggle. Instead I've seen you personally follow up on members behind the scenes outside of us.
Another I love about you is your No-Condemnation attitude. My God. Several times I have been pi**ed. Expecting you to flog someone so mercilessly ehn.. Yet. Nothing. You'll just talk to them behind the scenes and in public act like nothing happened. Ye! 😱
I'll be expecting you to kick some ppl off the workforce, drive them from church gan, throw them into the bush kpa kpa.
For wia!
You keep saying, "my duty as a pastor is to feed the flock"
Aaaaaarrrrggggh! Makes me want to tear my hair out.
But guess what? I've been a recipient of your no-condemnation gift. And its a beautiful thing to be forgiven so easily. So heartwarming not to have your errors counted against you.
Its very human to judge. To measure against a yardstick. But you see the measure and the yardstick, yet you choose to believe in the word of grace that is able to transform.
See ehn. Dad. I know several times its so hard to continue on this journey. You look back at where you have been, and where you're standing currently doesn't look like much improvement. It feels like you keep fighting the same challenges everytime. It feels like the ppl under you are not maturing, or you keep counseling the same issues over and over. It feels like this labour of love isn't translating to your bank acct. Like the miracles are just centered round healing, breakthrough, promotions for others, with no reflection on you. You must get tired sometimes, even though you don't show it. You must get weary at times of applying faith on the same issues..You must get tired of holding ppl up, yet who's holding you up?
I know Parakletos is your favourite Comforter, but sometimes hmm, Return on Investment is a nice comfort too o. I know these things. Even though you won't discuss it...
See ehn Dad, Faithful is He that called you. Ok?
Faithful. Is. He. That. Called. You.
This is your Kairos. Just a little while longer, and you will heave a sigh of relief. Your reward will blow your mind.. And I will break anybody's head that tries to sound like you shouldn't have it.
But you know what, let's just say the truth. You will have the landed properties, the cars, best schools for the kids, nice rags and all that.
But you're legacy will not be these things.
It will be the people you raised. The people you are investing so much into. These ones will outlive all the nice things you will acquire- and trust me, nice things will come
You're greatest legacy will be Hero maker. You score a 💯 on that already.
Hey Dad, Weldone!
