I noticed that my phone beeped rather unusually that afternoon and it was from the church's WhatsApp group. I paused to check it out and my moment changed!
You had gone to be with the Lord! In a twinkling of an eye! Just as it would be for everyone when our time here is up. When our race is done.
Your time's up; mine is ticking...
May it count for God as CLEARLY as your own, Amen.
Gbenga...
So, that Sunday was going to be my last time with you? The 6th when we sat down to get the video of Sis Ori's BCM charge to us at the retreat onto your laptop?! We didn't even bother leaving a copy of it on my phone because we were sure that you had it and able to send to the rest of the team.
SMH! How the Lord must have chuckled at both our ignorance!
Or wait, did you know?
Looking back now, the urgency at which you did things for God's service was of one who knew life was indeed transient. And I am not even talking about how you took your time to say hello every time we saw. Lol!
That wasn't urgently done. It was simply important to you.
You were extra! I would roll my eyes and refuse to shake your hands as you extended it. I would say, "Keep your hands to yourself, Bro! COVID-19 is still lurking." Now, I would do anything to have that hand extended to me just one more time!
Gbenga!
This is painful...
Yet, I know you know that this is the promise of God to take us Home when He is ready to. No one can stop Him.
So, I know you would want us to rejoice with you for making it Home. Yet, it doesn't take away the sting of death that we immensely feel right now.
It doesn't!
And the last 72 hours has been excruciating...
I think I mourn more for myself.
I think I mourn because I will miss your persistent and deliberate self. Lol!
I will miss you terribly, Bro.
Those denim, lumberjack shirts, chambray, boots, large belt buckles short of Steston hats and scarves!
Gbenga!
I envy you.
Your fight is done.
Your battle is done.
Your sins are really done!
Lucky you!
No, blessed you!
Look at you dying at about the same age our Lord did! You had to be extra, abi?
And behold all that you accomplished through and for Him in your short stint! Amazing.
What a way to die.
You think I'm going to give a short tribute? Did you give short conversations/ questions?
Gbenga!
May the good Lord comfort your parents and siblings. And all of us at Sovereign Grace Bible Church. We will definitely miss your unique touch in how you get things meticulously done.
Go well, soldier.
Rest.
Rest indeed.
See you on the other side where there's rest for our weary souls away from this evil world!
Death, be not proud. One short sleep past, we wake eternally.
And you too shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die!
Again,
Our sorrow is not hopeless and our joy is not flippant. The joy hurts and the sorrow is softened with invincible hope...
We love you, GBENGA.
I love thee.
Good night.❤️