PEARLS OF SWINE - Episode 3

His phone rang, he picked up.

“Good morning brother Mayowa, Calvary greetings to you… please will you be available today for midweek prayer. I will love you to officiate it…”

It was from his pastor.
Mayowa bite his lips angrily. Not now, not today that he was two minutes away from becoming rich.

“I’m sorry pastor, I have emergency office meeting after work and will be closing very late.
Mayowa lied but the pastor did not drop the call like he expected.

“Brother Mayowa, please I’m counting on you. I felt the Lord wants you to officiate it. Turning it down is like saying no to the Lord but if you can’t officiate then try and come. If truly God sent me to you to request for your presence in the midweek prayer, God will make away for you to be there. Our God is not a confusionist, he is always ahead and on time. Have a glorious day brother Mayowa. God bless you as you honor today’s Church program…

The last line of sentence from the pastor got Mayowa.
Does it mean if he does not attend God won’t bless him.
How will a pastor be trying to bribe him with God’s blessings so that he can come for a midweek prayer.
Mayowa was pissed, he began to think about other things the pastor has done in the past that he was supposed to be angry but he overlooked instead.

He wanted to have something he can hang on to hate both the pastor and the entire church.
He became uncomfortable in his seat as sweat suddenly broke out on his forehead.

“Why now…why when I’m about to finalise the plan…why did he call to make me uncomfortable…?

Mayowa went round in his office lamenting.
He decided to pack up the invoices. He will attend the church very late.
It will seem he decided to honor the pastor’s invitation.
He will attend when they are about to close the service.
But unfailing tomorrow, he will finalise his plans. Doing what he was supposed to do long time ago.

If it was before, he doesn’t need to be reminded of midweek service.
Is only on a rare occasion that he missed it and will call his wife to take the kids to church if she’s free.

He always prepare his message ahead for each service and emergency church meeting.
He loved God, he preached with passion. He tells the congregation the truth about God.
He was diligent in all his dealing but unfortunately he has never moved forward

well, so he thought.
He remains stagnant. No increment in finance, no promotions, no breakthrough. Nothing at all.
Just himself and his poor salary that he was beginning to hate with passion.

Mayowa frowned as more ill thought crowded his mind

He couldn’t do much of the office work that day.
After the day work comes to an end, mayowa remained in his office.
He waited until the security started locking the office doors, he later stood and left.

Since he doesn’t have a car, ever since his first car spoilt he has been either jumping from bus to bus or taking taxi or bike which is motorcycle.

He was tired of that too and this is one of the reasons he was desperate for a change. He deserves a brand new car, a very comfortable life that he does not have to worry over every dime he spend.

Mayowa stood at the bustop for long, waving off buses.
He checked the time and wondered why it was too slow today.
He waited a little more before joining the bus, he was taking his time and wasn’t in a haste.
His wife called him to know why he is yet to come for the midweek prayer which she was presently seated and listening to the pastor’s teaching.
Mayowa told his wife that he closed very late and since he doesn’t have a car he has to Join the public bus and there was traffic too.
He lied again and felt guilty lying to his loving, caring and prayerful wife.

Mayowa finally arrived the church, he frowned as he heard them still studying. He thought they were supposed to be rounding up by the time he arrives.

He joined them and was grateful when the study came to an end.
As the closing time approached he knew he will be asked to give a closing prayer, Mayowa pretend like his phone rang.
He quietly went outside, with pretense to receive call.
He stayed outside listening to when the closing prayer will be said.

“Honey… what are you doing?

He was startled from behind. His wife was standing behind him, looking lost as she saw him relaxing on the wall and looking at nothing in particular.
He wasn’t making any call.