Junior’s life was impactful, meaningful, and well lived. He loved fiercely and cared deeply. He was kind and generous with his time and resources.
For 52 short years, Junior was God’s precious gift to us as a son, brother, cousin, husband, father, uncle, nephew, and friend. He touched every single one of us, and he meant so much to so many even well beyond the family.
He left a legacy of hard work, and devotion to his wife, Sandy and their children, Jope, Jaye, Niji, and Sewa.
The last time I saw my cousin in the hospital, I told him that I would return to dance with him in celebration of his healing and restoration, because I was praying and had hoped for that reality on this side of eternity, as he fought a long and hard battle. I do believe he held on for nearly 3 years for the sake of his family.
In our reality, we didn’t have enough time with Junior. He was taken from us far too soon. Why? I really don’t know. The truth is, if Junior had lived a hundred years, it would not be enough and we will still need more time with him.
Jeremiah 29:11 reads “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
We are not always privy to God’s big plan, but we are called to trust his good heart, even when we don’t fully understand.
In Genesis 18:25, Abraham declares:” Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
So family, and friends, what are we to do?
We will abandon ourselves to God, like Job did in his trial. He said of God “though he slay me, yet will I hope in Him” Job 13:15.
We will resolve to keep Junior’s legacy alive through his young family, by doing our best to see that they thrive, as he desired.
We will fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. What is unseen at this time is the other side of eternity, into which Junior has entered, and where he has received ultimate healing.
We will lay hold of the hope of eternal life which Christ provided through his sacrifice, so that when it is our turn to enter into eternity, we may have confidence that we will see our beloved again, in the presence of our father.
There, he will wipe away every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Finally, Sandy, Jope, Jaye, Niji, Sewa, egbon Segun, Sister Nike, Bayo, Femi, Bola, Sola. I say to you “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms”.
"...the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death" Isaiah 57:1-2.