Also Read: The choirmaster wants to marry me – Part1
Six months after I joined the choir, something happened. An experience that opened my eyes to something new. My mentor had fixed an appointment with me at her house and even though I had met her on Instagram about two years ago, It would be my first visit to her. How did I get to steal the heart of this woman whose powerful songs are known across the globe? A woman whose name was on the lips of many Nigerian christians? I had stumbled on an old primary school friend who happened to be her cousin. Omo, I didn’t let her cousin rest o until I made him take a recording of a song I had written.
Few days later, I received a call. She loved my voice and was moved by my song and we exchanged numbers. I asked if she could mentor me. She agreed. We built a very strong relationship that has helped my music ministry so far. She taught me what it took to become a music minister beyond having a good voice. She showed me the ropes I needed to reach others for Christ.
I can’t forget a statement she made while we were chatting one evening. ‘Yewande, if you want to keep touching lives for Jesus, build roots downward so you can draw nourishment upward from a daily communion with Jesus .’
When I got to her house that day, the housekeeper led me to a beautiful bungalow behind the main building. It was a place that served as her studio. I entered to find her husband strumming a guitar while she worked on a song. I was intrigued seeing my mentor and her husband work together. In my mind, this was a perfect union. That moment, I had a strong desire to marry and I wanted a man like my mentor’s husband. A picture flashed across my mind, drawing a sweet feeling of excitement.
At the next rehearsal, Bro Daniel played the piano this time instead of the guitar, I kept stealing glances at him. Smart brother! he noticed. He winked at me. All I could think about was how together, our ministry will flourish just like my mentor.
I was getting ready for bed when his call came in.
‘I just called to check up on you.’ He said, in a rather husky voice.
Desire flooded my heart as I sat on the bed. I didn’t want him to end the call even though I was tongue-tied. It was clear that we had strong feelings for each other.
‘Goodnight.’ I said, finally.
‘Goodnight dear.’
That night, I wrote out in my journal the things I saw us doing together, in the future. It was a plus that he knew how to play the guitar, piano and the trumpet. We would talk about songs in the morning, while we bath our kids, before we slept. Wasn’t I lucky?
Bubbling with excitement, I couldn’t sleep until past 4a.m. I just kept thinking of how wonderful our marriage would be. Our dreams aligned. We were passionate about God. Our ministry would go to the ends of the world. Glory!
I had a dream that night. I was lying on the ground, famished. The place looked like a desert. There were no trees, only sand. Then I saw Bro Daniel come out of nowhere bare chested. He grabbed my hand and began to drag me. I was shouting, ‘please’ but he didn’t listen. I woke up, scared.
My phone beeped. It was a text message from Bro Daniel. I opened it.
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:6. God spoke to me through this scripture and I thought to share it with you. It reminds me of the finished works of Christ. Have a blessed day, dear.
I was confused for a moment. Could this dream be from the devil to scare me? I stood up and began to pray. The more I prayed, the stronger the dream stayed in my head.
Daniel began to call more often and by this time I was in love with him. We talked till past midnight and when his airtime finished, I called back and we talked until mine got exhausted. He finally opened up about his feelings. I still remember that evening when he pulled up at my gate and turned off the engine. Then he fixed his gaze on me.
‘I feel like I’ve known you for a long time. We connect so easily and I just cannot get you out of my head. I love you Yewande and I see a beautiful future with you.’ He paused. ‘I have always prayed for a woman like you. Gentiles will come to our light and kings to the brightness of our uprising. I know you care about me too. Will you marry me?’
My heart pumped fast. I wanted to say Yes. It was right there on my lips. ‘Give me some time. I’ll get back to you.’
He gazed into my eyes and smiled again. ‘I’m so crazy about you. I love you so much.’
And my body screamed, ‘Me too!’
…Continue reading: The choirmaster wants to marry me – Part3
