After the announcement in church today, our pastor announced "we are dedicating a baby today". The church went wild with joy. Everyone was happy as we also dedicated a baby some weeks back. It was really a thing of joy for the church as children are considered a big blessing in a congregation that has several women looking unto God for the fruit of the womb after several years of marriage.
I was on the drums when our pastor's wife suddenly screamed a song ahead of the choir. Yea, I was on the drums and it's not the kind of drums you know; let us leave that side. The whole church was already dancing to the song as the women engaged in several soap operas. Some began a competition of who can bend down the most, some were clapping with all their energy while others were busy giving different styles of body shaking techniques you will find in churches like mine. The men were not left out as they shook their bodies to the rhythm of the song. Everywhere was agog; there didn't seem to be any " bad belle " anywhere.
The family that gave birth were all dressed in the same kind of cloth. The grandmother of the child who had come from another town held the baby to her chest. The mother danced and danced. It is her first child and she gave birth without complication. Its worth it; she danced and she took so much time before she reached the pulpit where our pastor was patiently waiting for them with a book.
Finally, they reached the pastor. He collected the baby and made some recitations from the book after which he asked the mother to say some things after him. Everyone was standing and watching. I saw the little one. According to my church doctrine, the baby should be around 40 days old. I didn't see his face, but I saw his hand. It was really cute. Then the pastor announced his name to us and everybody clapped.
The pastor prayed for the little boy that his name will be among the famous people on earth, his name will not be found among the satan's boys in some years to come and he will live long and become great in life. The amen that was thundering out of the pew was mighty. I said amen too so that somebody will not come and call me a "bad belle" person. After the prayers, there was another round of dance, this time our pastor is the winner of the dance. The plastic on his neck almost dropped; thank God for Grace.
The service ended and everyone took turns to say congratulations to the family that gave birth. I was on the queue too, hoping to see the face of the little boy. The woman in my front really took time. She asked questions upon questions and each time she gets an answer, she will shout hallelujah. Imagine! Service has finished and some people are almost in their house.
After she left, I greeted the mother who was really excited. I stretched my neck to see the face of the boy and I wished I never grew up. He is so cute and my mum told me that I was cute too when I was small so I didn't feel jealous so much. As I was about turning back, my eyes met the eyes of the man behind me. Hmmm, people didn't really regard this man as a strong member of the church because he wasn't the church kind of a person. He loves the Lord, but it seems his desire is different from ours. I know he is just and devout, but I cannot really say much about him. People call him Elder Simeon.
As he carried the baby, he said " Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to [bring] revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."
The parents of the boy marvelled at what he said. Then Elder Simeon blessed them, and said his mother, "Behold, this [Child] is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
I couldn't recover from the encounter. I knew within me that what Elder Simeon said is true, but how did he know! This man must have a deep walk with the Holy Spirit. When we were all dancing and looking at the face of the new member of our church, someone was discerning the works of God. How did Elder Simeon know about this boy?
Comments