STORY: I DON'T NEED YOUR GOD. PART 6

 DANIEL’S POV

  After hearing Christiana’s story, I understood why God chose her to be my wife and I sat in my office at the company, I prayed this prayer “Lord, thank you because once again you have shown me that you love me and you want the best for me. You have indeed chosen the best for me. Lord, you have your reasons and I know it is for good, please heal her through me. Amen”. As I went ahead with the day’s work, I thought of Christiana’s story so much that I wasn’t even paying attention during a meeting. “Daniel, is there a problem? You haven’t been yourself today.” My boss asked “I’m fine, there’s no problem” I replied as I tried to focus on the papers I needed to sign and the calls I needed to make for the partnership deal between our shipping company and G&G company. Work was over and it was time to go home, I stopped to get ice cream and cookies for Christiana. She was quite happy when she received them, she had one of the most beautiful smiles on her face. “Thank you, I’m getting fat because of you” She said as she ate the cookies “Well, it’s a good thing. How was your day? What did you do while I was away?” I asked “I was just thinking about yesterday and my life. Daniel, you are… you have, I don’t know… maybe I might go to church again with you and I want you to help me but I’ve done so many bad things…” I didn’t let her finish what she was saying “God isn’t looking for a perfect Christiana; he is looking for the one he sees here” I replied. She looked so unsure and I understood why. “Daniel, why are you so perfect?” she asked. “I’m not. I’ve made my own mistakes which I’ve told you before” I replied and she nodded. I went ahead to eat and rest but I didn’t end the day without thanking God for this new decision she made.

  Sunday came fast and as a youth leader in church, I had to go early so I made sure I informed her to get dressed early. I was really excited and nervous to take her to church. She came out of her room in a knee-length long-sleeved Ankara flared red dress with her knotless braids styled in a high bun and covered halfway with a black scarf. She also wore a pair of black stiletto heels and a matching black purse. She looked gorgeous and I was staring like I wasn’t running out of time. “You are ravishing…you are dressed so perfectly” I said and immediately noticed the blush on her face, one thing I never got tired of seeing. “Thank you, Daniel. You look good too” she replied, still with the blush on her face. I wore a blue suit with a white dress shirt and black shoes, nothing serious. We got into my black Toyota Camry car and I drove us to church. Citadel of Peace church was one of the most soothing and beautiful places I have ever been to. This was the first place I heard God speak clearly, stepping into this place made me feel safe and happy. It wasn’t a big church but the presence of God was there. The choir, the sermons, the people were just amazing. We were a family here and I was happy to bring Christiana to this place because she needed a family, she needed to experience the love and kindness they give. Most importantly, she needed to hear God clearly and know that he never left her. “I’m nervous. I haven’t been in church for years now” she said as we were about to step out of the car “Everything will be fine besides, you are not going there alone. Christiana, I’m here, I’m with you if you feel nervous or overwhelmed, just hold my hand tight and I’ll hold yours tight as well, okay?” I said and she nodded with uncertainty in her eyes. I opened the door and stepped out to open the passenger door for her but she already opened it. “I wanted to open it for you” I said with a little pout on my lips as she laughed “Sorry”

  We walked into the church building. The worker’s meeting was about to start as we started with the opening prayers then praise and worship. We held hands as we began to pray for the service of the day and every department of the church like the ushers, the children's church, the adult church, and every other department. The devotional was read by one of our parish pastors, Pastor Jude. The service started with Sunday School which was divided into adult section, a teenager section, a children section, and youth section. I took Christiana to the youth section with me, she held my hand like I wanted to run away. As a Sunday School teacher, I had to stay in front of the youths to teach together with the older teacher. We had quite several youths but I was never really nervous to teach in front of them well, not until today. Christiana’s unwavering attention was on me and it made me feel self-conscious even when she wasn’t sitting directly in front of me. When the other teacher told her to read from the Bible, I was scared that she wouldn’t but she got a Bible from someone and read it. She raised her head and our eyes made contact. I tried to preach my part and soon, Sunday school was done. I looked for a place we could sit together and I sat beside her. The service continued with songs and hymns, I even heard her sing some of them in a very low but beautiful voice. We then had a short drama by the teens on peer pressure, choir ministration, a beautiful sermon to remind us of what the Grace of God is and what it does for us, intense prayers for ourselves, testimonies, and offerings. I danced during the ministration of songs and offerings while she just observed. It was time to introduce new members and talk to the pastors. At first, she was hesitant but I urged her to stand and introduce herself to the church and then, the pastors had a meeting with the new members. The service came to an end shortly. While I waited for her, I discussed with some ladies about the service and other things in general. She also had some conversations with a few ladies before she came to meet me. It was time to go home. “How was your first day back in church?” I asked as we entered the car “It was good” she replied. “Good?” “Well, it was nice. Everyone was contributing to the service and the woman beside me made sure I was comfortable. I was caught off-guard when I was asked to read the Bible but I read it anyway. I remembered some of the songs that were sung and how I would always rush to grab the mic and sing them in children's choir as a child” She smiled as she spoke and I just listened. “The ladies were so kind and wanted me to join their fellowship. Everyone was welcoming and I didn’t really feel like a stranger. Someone asked me who I was to you” I glanced at her with a raised eyebrow “Is that so? And what did you say?” I asked “I told her that you were my friend, I’m sure she felt weird about us coming together. Daniel, there are lovely ladies here and they believe in God. I’m sure you have your eyes on someone here” What was she saying? If only she knew that she was the one I had my eyes on. “I’ve not considered any of them as someone I would love to marry” I replied without turning to look at her. “Why?” “Be… because” I started but I couldn’t tell her that she was the one I wanted to marry yet. “I just haven’t. So, would you like to come back to church again?” I asked, ready for any answer. “Yeah, I think so” she replied and I didn’t expect that answer but I was happy about it. We stopped at a restaurant to get breakfast before we went home. We got home and went to our rooms. I thanked God for helping me make her see him differently. It wasn’t what I said that made her change her mind, it was my actions. “Lord, I want to tell her but I know I can’t. I wish I could marry her now and tell her that my eyes were on her. Just her”. I knew that the more we went to church together, the more questions that will arise, and by then, I’ll be able to answer them.