TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH.

DON’T YOU TRUST ME?

She felt the soft rebuke in those words

I am sorry Sweet spirit, I guess I have let my flesh lead me in the wrong direction.

I will trust you sweet spirit, I will trust that you have chosen the best for me.

I have kept him waiting for an answer long enough.

I need to see him now.

She turned around immediately,

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Elliot was surprised to see her, he welcomed her in, she began talking the moment they settled in his living room.

“Elliot, you are absolutely amazing. You are an anointed man of God, deep and full of love for God, you are a good man, you have most of the qualities that I want in a man but that doesn’t make you the one for me. You are a man I greatly respect and admire, but my answer is no, I cannot marry you.”

“Why? Nini, don’t say that. You and I are meant to be.”

“I thought so too because apparently you fit perfectly into my destiny, and that thought has blinded me from seeing that I need to let go of my own ideas of who the one for me should look like.”

“Nini I know what I saw Nini, I was the one who didn’t get the message God was passing across to me back then.”

“Elliot, if you are going to be very honest with me, think back to the last time my image flashed before you as you prayed for a life partner.”

Elliot paused, and swallowed hard.

“It’s been…Nini, it doesn’t matter that it’s been a long while since then.”

“Then you are still not getting the message God is passing across to you now. God has someone special for you Elliot, maybe that woman used to be me, but not anymore.”

“Nini, you are the best woman for me.”

“Maybe you’ve met her, or are yet to meet her, but you need to let go of your idea of what the best should be, so that you can see God’s will for you. Sometimes our idea of the best, might blind us to see God’s best, because many times God’s best may look nothing like what we expect.” She said with a sad smile.

“I am sorry” she said.

She wasted no time as she rushed to Michael’s place.

The clause!

It had been Michael all along.

I was blinded by my own idea of what is best for me, that I didn’t see what was happening right in front of me.

God promised me a man that has been gifted with special grace help my ministry thrive.

God promised me a man that will stand by me, a man whom we will grow together.

And so,

A man like Michael didn’t fit into my idea of the kind of such a man.

Yet No one prays with me about my ministrations like him.

The business world is his mission field.

But because he did not have a pulpit ministry or a thriving music ministry I disqualified him.

Oh God forgive me, I almost lost a pearl.

“Michael!” She screamed as she pushed his gate open.

Panting heavily, she tried to catch her breath,

“Have you been running? Are you okay?” He asked as he stepped out, a worried look on his face.

“Yes! My answer is yes!”
He stared at her blankly for a split second, then as it dawned on him, his face slowly broke into an incredible smile that filled his entire face and made her knees go weak.

“You will marry me? I want to hear you say it again” He said, standing directly in front of her, his heart in his eyes.


I never envisioned that God’s will can make my heart flutter like this.

“You are the one that was promised, the one I have been waiting for. Yes of course, I will marry you.” She said with a smile.

“I have always wanted to do this” He said as he unexpectedly lifted her like a feather and whirled her round, “Michael!” She screamed and laughed in delight,

“I am most the favoured man alive!” he announced, shouting for joy

THE END

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths" (PROVERBS 3:5-6)

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

pen&paper
GLORIEADEPOJU

Source:. https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2023/03/01/the-clause-iii/

Story Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

Her own part of the covenant was that she would only marry the man that God asked her to wait for, to be able to identify him, she added a clause to the covenant. Which was that, apart from the fact that the invisible garden being visible to him, the man must be the first to propose to her in this garden. He must get all three. That way she would know He is the One that was promised.

And it dawned on her.

The first.

The first one to propose to me in the garden,

All the others proposed to me outside the garden, except the two of them

Elliot was the first man to see the garden but Only one man got all three criteria of the clause, and he didn’t even know it.

“Michael?” she asked as she stopped in her tracks.

“You mean the dashing, and wealthy businessman is the one with the special grace for my ministry?”

But sweet spirit he doesn’t look it
Will he be able to...?

THE CLAUSE
(A SHORT STORY)

III

“Ta-da!” he said revealing a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Iniobong was speechless.

If he saw the bouquet lying beside her, he didn’t show it.

They had small talk and then sat in silence.

“So what is it you want to tell me?”

He sighed.

“Nini, you are a special woman, back then and even now. God knew you are the kind of woman I need in my life, and he put you in my heart. Though I didn’t get take action then, foolish of me.”

“Overseas, I suddenly began to think about you a lot and I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else but you. I want to chase ten thousands with you, I want to raze the kingdom of darkness together with you as my purpose partner. I want to be the one for you. Forgive my lame proposal, but I should have done this back then. Please marry me, and make me the happiest man on earth Nini.” he said his heart in his eyes.

Iniobong felt a tug at her heart

“Elliot…”

“You can take your time to give me an answer.”

She nodded,

“We should get going, it is getting late” he said and they both set off.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

“What is happening sweet spirit?”

“It all seems so confusing. One thing, the garden is visible to both men. Another thing, they both proposed to me right there in the garden. Those were the criteria, right? Both of them met the criteria of the covenant, but only one man was promised, but which of them?”

Iniobong wondered as she strolled towards her farm, to resume the work for the day.

Elliot is a man I respect greatly, he fits perfectly into my ministerial destiny.

It should be Elliot, the first man to see the garden.

But the garden is also visible to Michael
Could it be Michael?

Michael is a very dear friend and I know I wish for more.

I am probably just flattered that Michael is interested in me.

I mean, men of Michael’s status do not end up marrying a simple farmer right?

Moreover, he doesn’t even have any prominent ministry, though I know very well that he is a seasoned born again Christian,

He supports and understands my ministry but is that enough to fit into my ministerial destiny?

“What do I do? I need help Holyspirit”

THE CLAUSE OF THE COVENANT

The Holyspirit whispered.

The clause! The clause of the covenant

She had included a clause in the covenant and had forgotten all about it

Thank you Sweet spirit,
She said inwardly

She had brought the small notepad, where she usually documents the details of her covenants with God. Fortunately, she brought it with her.

She reached for it in her back pocket.

She opened it to read through the covenant again, and paid close attention to the clause.

“I promise, I didn’t intend to propose this way, I just wanted to bare my heart. But I could as well ask you what I have always wanted to ask you from the moment I met you. Iniobong, will you marry me?”

Iniobong felt like a princess, Michael, as in the Michael was asking her to marry him, with pure love shinning from his eyes.

Her phone vibrated just then, an incoming call from Elliot, dragging her down from whatever planet she had been on, she excuses herself and took the call.

“Hey Nini, I’m at your farm, where are you?”

“The garden.”

“Okay, I’ll be there soon”

The call ended shortly after.

“Michael, I am so sorry, I totally forgot that I promised to meet Elliot here this evening.”

“Alright then, I should get going.”

He stood up,

“Please I would be glad if you pray before giving me an answer, Iniobong.” he said searching her face.

“I’ll do that.”
"Thank you." her heart melted as his tone mirrored his words, and then he was gone.

“There you are” Elliot said as he joined her in the garden, his hands behind his back.

“What are you hiding?”

...to be continued.

Watch out for the last part.

Story Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2023/02/25/the-clause-ii/

They both settled in the garden,

“You said you had something to tell me.”

“Umm…yes.”

“Though I found it strange that you specifically wanted to say it here.” she said

“There is something I…want to ask you. I know how special this place is to you, and so I knew I had to ask you here.”

“Oh, now curiosity is killing me.”

A serious expression crossed his features.

“First keep in mind that I mustered all the courage I have for this.”

“Okay?”

What’s the fuss?
She wondered

“You see, the voice of God has been a guide to discerning His will for my life. The very first time we met, the moment you stepped into my house, I heard the soft whisper of the Holyspirit, whose voice I now recognize as distinctly as I recognize my late earthly father’s voice. He said here is my daughter, the one I prepared you for and vice versa. I immediately accepted it. Overtime, I was more convinced that God clearly reserved the best of them all for me. That best is you Iniobong, you fit perfectly into my life, like the perfect piece that completes the puzzle.”

Her jaw dropped and her heart hammered.

“How can I perfectly fit into your life Michael? I…I...don’t even fit into your social status, have you looked at the kind of women that throw themselves at your feet?”

“You are the best Iniobong, God’s best has nothing to do with status or position. He sees the future, and knows exactly what I need and what you need. You are a sweet soul. Since I lost my parents, I have never felt at home with anyone like I do with you, I can be myself with you. You are talented, spirit filled, open, hardworking, intelligent, and man, you are a beauty, I hope my heart never stops beating wildly at the sight of you.”

“Michael…” she said as her head swam.

II

"Found her” He said and he looked straight at her, the intensity of his gaze stole her breath.

Iniobong suddenly felt a tinge of jealousy, and she looked away.

“That’s good news, I am glad you finally found her.”

Iniobong felt her own heart beating fast at his words, because to her own shock, she was suddenly hoping she was that woman.

How can I be thinking of such a thing?

Michael is from a completely different world from mine. Moreso, he doesn’t look like the kind of man that can handle my ministerial destiny.

Plus God’s will shouldn’t have my heart fluttering like this right?

She stood to her feet abruptly.

“I think we should leave before it gets too dark, the mountains are not so safe at night.”

In no hurry, Michael threw her a lazy teasing smile before he stood up. Together, they descended from the mountain.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Iniobong’s melodious voice filled the atmosphere as she worshipped God wholeheartedly seated in her garden. Sometime back she got access to some very rare species of seeds of plants and flowers. She meticulously planted them and grew them into this very beautiful and rich garden.

However, her garden got a lot of unwanted attention, and some people started to tamper with the garden. Iniobong then devised a means of security, as was her habit, she made a covenant with God. She asked God to make the garden invisible to everyone except her, in return she would worship God in this garden daily for an hour. She fulfilled her part, and God fulfilled his own part of the deal, and everyone kept asking her why the garden suddenly disappeared, when it was right where it used to be, only they couldn’t see it.

She felt so content in her spirit when the worship session for the day ended. Her garden has become her worship altar, where she faithfully meets with God everyday asides from her devotion. The garden was not the first covenant she had made with God, each time she had something she must protect fiercely, she always entered into covenants with God over it. She knew the power of covenants, and she never took it lightly, she incessantly prayed and asked the Holyspirit for grace to be faithful to it. After discovering her calling into music ministry years ago, she desperately wanted to be a vessel in God’s hands, and thus she entered into covenant with God that if he would use her tremendously to his glory, she in turn will use her gift of singing for his Kingdom alone. The year she entered into that covenant, God announced her, she became sought after, she also received so many offers for secular projects, but she was faithful to her covenant.

The Lord visited her one day and showed her the future, she was stunned when she saw the glory that awaited her. God then revealed to her, and she saw herself planting a delicate seed, her ministry, since it was a rare seed, it was growing tremendously.

So, a lot of men came proposing to her, but along the line, either they didn’t understand it, or got tired of how large the plant was suddenly growing, they eventually either cut it off, or collapsed under the weight of it. Just when she was tired of waiting, there came one who seemed to have been spiritually equipped with special grace, and the capacity to manage the greatness of her ministerial accomplishment without collapsing under, if anything he thrived, shouldered the weight with her, and it grew even larger.

After the vision, she realized that her life partner had the power to greatly influence the height her ministry will get to. She became greatly concerned that she had no way of knowing how to make the right choice, for she desperately wanted to protect what God had committed into her hands. Secondly, there was no hint, no name, no face, she had no way to identify the potential person that was suitable to journey through life with her.

She prayed passionately about the vision. God said He will bring the very man that she needs, but she must be willing to wait for him. For this reason, they both entered into a covenant yet again, God’s part of the covenant was that He will bring her that very man that has been spiritually equipped with special grace, and the capacity to manage the greatness of her ministerial accomplishment without collapsing under. Her own part of the covenant was that she would only marry the man that God asked her to wait for, the One that the invisible garden would become visible to. She also added a clause to the covenant.

Inibong stepped out of the garden, and continued to reminisce. Just as God had spoken, the year after, suitors began to flock around her. Yet none of them met the criteria of the covenant, the garden was invisible to them all, talk less of the clause of the covenant. She gradually began to worry that she had made an unrealistic demand. Until one man met the criteria, Elliot, the first man that the invisible garden was visible to, this sparked her hope. Of course Elliot didn’t know what it implied,

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU WHOM THE LORD HAS BLESSED,

THE WAIT IS OVER. YOUR SINGLE SEASON IS GRADUALLY CLOSING UP,

She heard the soft whisper that suddenly dropped in her spirit.

I HAVE FULFILLED MY PART, I HAVE BROUGHT HIM.

“Who?” she asked breathlessly

THE ONE THAT WAS PROMISED.
GET READY FOR HIS PROPOSAL
INI.

PRAY FOR GRACE TO TRUST THAT I CHOSE THE BEST FOR YOU.

She nodded softly,

Instead of worrying, she began to pray ceaselessly for grace.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Dusk was approaching when she stepped into her farm.

She walked towards her garden, Michael had called her that he had something to tell her, and so he suggested they meet at the garden. The invisible garden was visible to Michael too, he loved nature and this garden especially, yet he rarely came here, because she had mentioned severally that this garden was her worship altar. He asked her to meet him here, this means that he has something serious to discuss.

She entered the garden and spotted a bouquet of flowers.

“Immediately I saw it, I was reminded of you, I ordered it right away. It arrived yesterday.” a voice said behind her.
She didn’t have to turn around to know who it was, she instead picked the bouquet,
There was a note attached to it, she opened it.

“-Iniobong, to me, you are a woman whose price is far above rubies-Michael.”

“They are perfect, I love it. Thank you.”

He smiled in satisfaction, that charming smile seemed to melt her heart faster than the bouquet of flowers

Concentrate will you?! She chided herself.

She turned to find him gazing at her in awe, unable to stand the intensity of his gaze, she immediately looked away.

“Michael, you always say that when you find your wife, you will just know. How will you know?”

He smiled.

“Growing up, my late parents invested in me, especially spiritual growth. As if they knew they didn’t have much time to spend with me. Not only did they groom me to step into my father’s shoes in the family business, but they also ensured that I was infused with depth and backbone at a very young age. It is those financial, intellectual, mental, and especially spiritual backbone that are still shaping me into who I am today.”

Iniobong now understood how come Michael seemed to have the spirit of excellence like a second nature. Though her first impression of a wealthy, and also incredibly handsome young man like Michael, was the quick assumption that such a man must be a shallow Christian, especially with his killer smile that made women smile sheepishly. Contrary to her assumption, their friendship showed her that his spiritual depth was intriguing.

“They taught me that God has a plan for everything including marriage, the end goal is always for the advancement of the kingdom. Their marriage was a perfect example of that and so I understood why I must allow God to play the main role in the process of choosing a life partner.” He said calmly.

“I spoke to my late Mom about my fear of marrying wrongly, I told her I really wanted to marry God’s will for me, and I will bring all the women I meet to them one after the other so that they can help me decide which of them is the will of God. She laughed, but told me something that I wrote down word for word, and I went back to it over and over again till it became a part of me.”

His words had Iniobong glued to him.

“She said, and I quote, Michael, there is the place of the guidance of spiritual pillars, yet you shouldn’t depend on them to help you discern the will of God for your life. God is your father. The moment you have a deep relationship with Jesus, you will begin to desire God’s will for every major juncture in your life, including marriage. Before I dreamt of meeting your father, God was actively involved in the decision process of my life, and so over time I had developed a pattern of hearing from him, and speaking to Him. Therefore I didn’t have to run from one prophet to the other to discern that your father was God’s will for me, I only got confirmations from others.”

“She said, my darling son, marriage is one of God’s plan for his children, it is not the only plan. If you rely on others to help you discern God’s will for you in marriage, you will need them to keep helping you sustain that marriage. This is because after marriage, you will have major destiny changing decisions, having a pattern of discerning God’s will for every turn in your life is very important.”

“That counsel made me level up my relationship with Jesus, and thus I began to desire God’s will for me. Over time, God was no longer the God of my parents, but also my own Father, and I was able to discern his will for me in various phases of my life. I never imagined that I would lose my parents that early, with the growing family business handed over to me. I wasn’t an established business tycoon like my father or outspoken and relational like my mother, plus I was very young, and so a lot of enemies were certain I would fail woefully.”

“I am grateful that I had an established relationship with Jesus, and so, I was able to discern God’s will concerning the kind of people I need to build my team, and so when I was faced with big or small decisions I was able to make the right decisions. Thanks be to God, the business has risen way beyond my expectations and that of many rivals. All aspects of my life including choosing the right mentor and discipler, including relocating to this village, discerning God’s will played a key role. Though I still make mistakes, but I have been able to avoid making choices out of flesh that would have altered the course of my destiny.”

“Wow, that is so incredible” Iniobong said, utterly amazed.

“It has even helped making the process of finding a life partner so much easier.”

“Now I understand.”

“Exactly, and when I eventually did, it came as no surprise when all my mentors started confirming it one after the other.”

“Whoa, backtrack a bit, you lost me there. When you did? Did what?"

.....
Watch out for the remaining part.

Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2023/02/24/the-clause-short-story/

Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

She sighed as her mind wandered back to the present.

“Sweet Spirit, what is the wonder of nature you promised to show me?” She asked softly.

LOOK UP AT THE SKY, came the familiar soft whisper into her spirit.

Excited she looked up and spotted what looked round like the sun.

THAT’S THE MOON

“I thought that was the sun.”

THE SUN IS ON THE LEFT SIDE

Iniobong looked towards the left side of the sky, she spotted the sun setting.

Amazed, she looked from the left to the right, “I didn’t know I could see both sun and moon together in the sky like this!” she exclaimed.

A soft honking of a car, drew her attention, she didn’t have to look to know who it was.

“I saw that before you did” Michael announced proudly, referring to the sun and moon, flashing one of his charming smiles.

A smile that made her heart flutter.

“I wish I could get a closer view” Iniobong said wistfully.

“Same here, wait a minute, I know a place,” He said in excitement.

“Really?”

“Let’s go, we don’t have much time before the sun finally sets!”

She hurriedly hopped into the car, and the engine roared to life.

They arrived at their destination, which was at the foot of a slightly high mountain, they climbed it.

They both sat, in silence as they enjoyed the setting of the sun, and the mountain top gave a much closer view that was breath-taking.

Sometime back, Michael had relocated here, and their deep love and appreciation for nature sparked a close friendship between them. Over time she was able to get to know Michael better. Iniobong realized that Michael was an exceptional, low profile and very wealthy businessman. He opened up to her, about him being an only child to very wealthy parents who died early, and at a young age he had to prematurely take over the business and continue the legacy, which explains his immense wealth.

It was almost hard to believe that she was friends with a man of his status. Yet, she was afraid that she was beginning to care for him more than she would a normal friend, for a particular reason. She has declined all the suitors that flocked around her, because Elliot remained in her heart, afterall Elliot was the only man that met the criteria of her covenant with God. Unbelievably, she realized that Michael also met the criteria as well, and for the first time, another man unknowingly challenged Elliot’s place in her heart.

Michael took her by surprise when he began to verbalise his interest. It was at this period that Elliot returned. Interestingly, he wasn’t the same man who left, because the same Elliot who never glanced at her back then, now regarded her with a deep interest in his eyes.

Iniobong gazed at the sky, the full moon was a pretty sight.

“What a pretty sight.” Iniobong said,

“A very, very pretty sight, God is an amazing artist.” Michael said.

The Clause by Glorie Adepoju

All Rights Reserved

Avoid Plagiarism

Read and be blessed.
...

I

They both strolled leisurely. The chilly wind blew, and Iniobong hugged herself. Elliot took off his jacket and covered her with it protectively.

“Thank you,”

“Nini" he said, using her pet name

"I have a confession” He said

He had her complete attention

“Shortly before my trip out of the country. Something strange began to happen, each time I prayed about a life partner, your image would always flash before me, every single time, interrupting me, not to mention, you possess almost all the qualities that God mentioned I would see in my future partner, I had a prompting to tell you about it, but I didn’t because I couldn’t decode the message God was sending, and because…”

“…because, I must admit that at the time, on my part, you were nothing more than a friend and team member whose passion for the ministry matched mine. ”

“When I was overseas, I met a woman I began to pray about, once again your image flashed before my eyes as I prayed for a life partner. I don’t even know how it happened, but one day the message God was passing across to me all these years, suddenly dawned on me. I started having these longing for you. I still had a few months to spend back there, but I hurried back, I suddenly had this fear that you had already gotten married or were about to.”

“I was in ecstasy when I got back here to find you unmarried.”

He gazed into her eyes, and the longing lying in them, rendered her speechless.

“You have caught my eye, everything about you keeps holding me spellbound and I‘m not even tempted to look elsewhere.” he said holding her gaze

His phone vibrated just then, he reluctantly broke eye contact, and picked up the call.

“Hello, yes, what’s the situation?” he asked,

The call ended shortly, and he faced her.

“Nini, unfortunately my attention is urgently needed at the hospital” He said.

She took off the jacket and handed it over to him.

“You still need it, Moreso, it’ll give me an excuse to see you again.” he whispered into her ears, as he wrapped the oversized jacket over her.

His words rooted her to a spot and then he left.

Never in my wildest imagination did I believe that Elliot will finally look at me that way. She thought as she resumed her walk.

Elliot was an anointed music minister here in their hometown, the moment Iniobong discovered her calling into music ministry, she joined his team. Elliot mentored and groomed her into a rugged and seasoned music minister. Elliot was one handsome medical doctor, but there was a major reason why she had him in her heart.
Something that made him automatically qualify as the one for her. The reason had everything to do with her covenant with God. Apparently Elliot perfectly fit into her ministerial destiny.

Unfortunately for her, back then the feeling was not mutual. It was evident that Elliot regarded her as nothing more than a minister and friend, still Iniobong held on to the hope that over time he would come to see her as more.

Elliot had to further his studies out of the country. Something happened the night before Elliot left, and so she resolved that he would be back and she would wait for him.

REVIEW BY ITUNUOLUWA AJAJI-ALBERT (CEO, LIFE SUPPORT NETWORK)

Even though this is a fiction, this story is real and relatable.

There are prospective employees that get tested during job recruitment process. There are some Companies that at the point of employment, after realizing that you are a good fit for their company and you possess the potential and skills they are looking for, will want to test your values and know what you stand for.

You may be called into an office and they will tell you they are about signing a contract and you can serve as their witness.

They will make discussions in front of you and bring the idea of adding a couple of zeros to make it a million when the value should be about a hundred thousand and they will be observing you to know how you are going to react.

They might even ask you if you would mind adding your signature so you would get your cut out of the money.

There are instances where it might even be the employees in the company that will play this game with you and not the employers and the very moment it looks like you are complying, they would conclude that 'this person can't work with them'.

Hence, it is very possible for what is written in the story to happen.

Looking at this illustration from the spiritual perspective, it is very important that you stick with your spiritual values, beliefs and convictions so as not to create problem for yourself.

There are some people that they would compromise at the point of job hunting. Perhaps they paid or bribed to get a job and by the time they get the job they have to keep compromising to keep that job because in an instance where the HR is not supposed to give them a job and perhaps the HR is a man and the lady had to offer her body to get the job knowing fully well that she is not qualified or perhaps she is even qualified, the person already has something that they can use against the individual and it will only turn into a blackmail.

The man may say, "if you don't do this, you are going to lose your job".

"If you don't do this, this is going to happen".

At the end, the person will have to keep on compromising.

As a Christian, always let your stand and your conviction be known to everybody so that at first contact they will know what to expect from you. They know that you are not the kind of person they can suggest some certain things to and when you get the job they already know that there are some plans or coup that you cannot partake in. Therefore, making your stand known at the first step of the recruitment process for job seekers is very important because that will save you a lot of problems.

.....

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16 KJV

....

Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2022/01/02/like-ants-to-sugar-a-short-story/

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Story Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

Continuation...

He must have seen she was now scared of him for he also stopped at that spot. He spoke on; “You don’t even need this job. My father owns this company and in few months he will be handing over to me officially. You can even have a start up business. You can be a full house wife if you want to and I will still pay you any amount you request for every month. Just say yes, become my wife.”

“Ha! Lord.” Dupe cried out.

He wasn’t in any way moved; “What do you say?” he asked with a grin on his face.

“See question.” Dupe spat out. “What else? No!” She walked back to the chair and grabbed her handbag and files in anger.

He stared at her in shock; “Really?”

She stopped and turned to him. She lowered her voice and said; “You may keep your job. I’m not even searching for a job any longer. Wait, did I ask to be created so beautifully? Is it my fault? Ha! What is all these?” She shook her head.

“Secondary school was hell; my university days were hell. Why is it that it’s my body all the men I have ever met want? Why?” She screamed out at this point. She calmed down to catch her breath; then a tear dropped from her eyes.

Am I crying? She used her right hand to wipe her face.

She shook her head and looked up to see the man’s face. He looked crumbled; like he was regretting all he had said.

She refused to let herself be deceived; “Why are you looking at me like that?” She narrowed her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I took the test too far.” He said softly.


“What?” She stared at him.

He switched back to a serious mode; “Miss Dupe Falawo, you have your job. Resume 7:30am next week Monday.” He said calmly and walked back to his seat with a smile on his face.

Dupe stood there dumb stricken.

“What just happened?” She asked and moved to sit back in a hurry. He just sat there looking at her with a smile.

Dupe frowned; “I thought...”

“I’m sorry I went too far.” He said softly.

“It was just a test and you passed gallantly. As a fellow brother in the kingdom, I’m proud of you.” The way he said it made her heart feel warm.

“Dupe, you better calm down;” she told herself.

He continued; “The thing is I have had issues with some ladies in this Company in time past. Some made life hell for me. I didn’t want to make the mistake of hiring a seductress.”

“Of a truth you are beautiful and when you walked in, I was caught unawares.” He laughed at that point then he spoke on; “I could tell you are a believer but I wanted to know if you would fail my test. I’m sorry but I needed to be sure.” He explained.

Dupe let the tears fall; “Thank you Jesus. Thank you Lord.”

“I’m Anthony Adetunmbi.” He put out his hand to shake hers.

She accepted it; “Dupe Falawo. I’m sure you know that already.” She laughed through her tears.

He let go of her hand; “I’m really sorry. You have really gone through a lot as a single lady trying to preserve herself. I don’t know why though I do but I’m proud of you. I really am.”

“Thank you very much for the opportunity Sir.” She stood up and bowed in gratitude.

“Thank you for not disappointing God. I will see you on Monday.” He said.

“Alright Sir.” She replied and moved to go out of his office. She was about opening the door when he cleared his throat to get her attention; “By the way Dupe;’

She stopped and looked at him; “Yes.”

“When I said I needed a wife, I really need a Godly Woman in my life.”

Dupe smiled; ‘God will bring her your way Sir.”

His face turned serious for a minute and as if in thought he said; “That is if he hasn’t brought her my way already.” Then he smiled: a warm smile that curled around her heart.

Dupe swallowed; “Well, we’ll see.” She said and without waiting for his remark opened the door and stepped out. Her heart was bustling with Joy.

“Hmm! Working with Mr Anthony is going to be interesting.” She said to herself as she walked away from the room.

Dupe boarded a Cab just outside the Company’s gate and as the driver drove her home she couldn’t help but thank God she hadn’t accepted all the offers to defile her self. She cried as she remembered all that she had gone through in the hands of the ungodly men she had met. She hadn’t disappointed God and he had now rewarded her with a good job in a comfortable environment and a principled young man who was also a believer as her boss. She couldn’t have asked for more.

She smiled as she remembered all Anthony had said to her.

“What is it about him that makes me so excited?” She thought with a smile on her face.

“Aunty...” The driver called and she looked up to see him watching her through the front mirror.

The driver smiled; “You are blushing.”

She covered her face before bursting into laughter.

Metres away, Anthony Adetunmbi still seated in his executive chair thanked God for making the woman that he had been preparing for him walk right into his office.

For months he had waited for the day he would meet his future wife. From the moment she walked into his office, he knew one thing: He had found his Missing Rib.

By the time she gave him a blunt ‘no’ and recounted all her experiences, it confirmed the things God had told him about his woman.
He knew he was not in any way going to let her slip away from him.

THE END.

All Rights Reserved.

(Originally Published in Singles Digest: A MONTHLY ONLINE PUBLICATION OF PRESERVED SINGLES: God|Faith|Purity|Purpose|Waiting; Volume 1, Issue 2, October 2020 as 'BECAUSE THEY WANT ME by Mercy Oluwafunmito Adebisi')

She dashed her eyelids furiously; “Excuse me, what?”

He grinned; “You heard me, Dupe. Stop playing ignorance.” He pushed his seat out, stood up and walked around the table to where she was sitting. Dupe just sat there like a statue as he stood beside her, bent low to her level and whispered into her right ear; “You know you are beautiful right?”

Like a robot, she nodded but her eyes were glistening with tears.

He straightened behind her and seem to deliberate with himself what to do next. Dupe closed her eyes trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall. It was then she felt his hands caressing her shoulders. She froze under his touch. Before she could think twice, she flung his hands away and stood up furiously.

With her heart hammering wildly in her chest, she said; “Would you please stop all these nonsense?”

Then he laughed: a laugh that almost made her choke.

Dupe looked up at him with eyes flashing in anger and could have sworn that she caught a soft look of compassion in his eyes for some seconds.

He cleared his throat and took a step towards her; “I’m not asking you to be my girlfriend;” he took another step; “I’m not requesting for a one night stand because I know you will call it fornication;” he took a step again: “I’m asking you to marry me legally. I want you to be mine.” Shivering, Dupe took two steps away from him in fear.

The remaining part will be dropped very soon.

Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2022/01/02/like-ants-to-sugar-a-short-story/

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Story Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

With Review by Itunuoluwa Ajayi-Albert.

----

Dupe Falawo looked at herself in the mirror the third time in a row. She was all set for a job interview that morning but she wanted to make sure of something: that she didn’t look too good.

With the current trend of civilization and competition for job, one would have expected a lady like her who was in desperate need of a job and needed to make a good impression on her would be bosses to do all she can to look good but for Dupe, it was unbelievably the opposite.

“Lord, please don’t let this interview end up like the ones I went for in the past.” She prayed silently before carrying her handbag and exited her flat.

As Dupe walked to the main road, she began to reflect on how life has treated her since she came of age.

She had graduated with first class honors in Business Administration and had always had the mentality that getting a job won’t be a problem for her.Truly, Job opportunities had turned up in many ways but they all wanted her to give something in return: her body.

Of a truth, Dupe was a beauty to behold.

She was a dark complexioned tall lady with slender body figure. She had pointed nose and long fingernails. Many had said to her hearing that God had indeed created her specially. However rather than being proud of her beauty, she was actually frustrated by it.

As an undergraduate student, she had a lot of issues with guys. Most of them wanted to be her friends not for her personality but for one reason: Her Beauty.

Even though she was not born again in her first and second year, she had done her best to resist the urge to belong. Most of the big girls wanted her in their clique, so they could connect her to the men they knew: she had refused.

In her third year, Dupe eventually gave her life to Christ and joined a Bible Believing Fellowship but she still felt pressured by those who were supposed to care for her spiritual growth. An incidence she would never forget was when one day in her ignorance, she had visited a brother who was an executive of the fellowship but he had tried to coerce her into a sexual relationship with him.

She had narrowly escaped and since then had learnt to deal with the fact that all men wanted the same thing from her: Her body.

As a first class product and the best student of the year in her department, she had been given an offer to join the academic staffs but the person who was in charge had called her to his office one day and told her she would have to be in a relationship with him before he did the final approval.

Dupe hissed in present as she remembered the fact that the man had been someone who was older than her own father. She had begged him that day to reconsider but when she saw he was adamant she left his office for good.

After then, she had gone for five interviews but her beauty always seems to distract the men. The females in the interview panel in their envy would make sure she didn’t get the job. At one of the interviews it had looked like she would be offered the job but the Managing Director had offered that she become his ‘side-chick’. She refused bluntly and had been shown out of the building.

“Lord this morning, let them see your glory. Henn! Let them not even see that I am beautiful. I need a job badly. Lord, I’m tired of all these.” She prayed quietly as she flagged down a cab.

----

“Dupe Falawo;” The secretary to the Director who was to interview her called from her work desk.

Dupe stood up from where she had been sitting for hours with her handbag in one hand and her file in the other. She sighed deeply as she walked towards the woman’s table.

“He is waiting for you.” The older woman told Dupe with an encouraging smile.

“Thank you Ma.” Dupe replied and moved towards the office.

“Lord, I’m in your hands.” She prayed silently before opening the door and walked into the room.

“Miss Dupe Falawo;” a masculine voice called from the work table area as soon as she shut the door behind her.

Dupe looked up to meet the eyes of a tall handsome young man. He was sitting on a leathered executive chair behind a desk. Dupe gauged him to be in his early thirties.

“So young to be a director.” she murmured under her breath before she remembered he had called her name.

“Yes Sir.” She said bowing her head a bit.

He looked at her from up to down; “Beautiful.”

Dupe squirmed uncomfortably.“Lord, not again.” She whispered silently.

“Be seated.” he commanded and directed her to sit in front of him.

As soon as she sat down she relaxed and she waited for him to ask her questions. God knows she was prepared for the interview but No! He kept staring at her.

Uncomfortable silence filled the room and eventually Dupe had to engage herself by taking in the beauty of the office.

“Marry me!”

Dupe stopped.

She looked up to meet his sharp gaze; her eyes widened in shock. Had she heard him wrong? Was she imagining things?

She looked towards the door to see if someone else had entered the room while she was looking round the office. What is going...?

“I said marry me.” He stopped her from thinking further with his deep baritone voice.

Dupe cringed; He had really said that.

All rights reserved.

No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission from the author: Mercy Oluwafunmito Adebisi

Avoid Plagiarism...

Do enjoy this interesting story and most of all be Blessed.

DIARY OF A NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN BLOGGER

With a deadline drawing closer and her having trouble coming up with her next blog post, it is a 'Miracle' when Rachael Akintola receives a mail from a lady who has a story to tell.

However, she is not ready for what she is about to read.
....
Ise-Oluwa has a story to share with the world. The story of how one midnight, her choice and action could have led to the death of a 300-level student of her institution.

Will recollection of this incident bring her unlimited joy or untold sorrow?
...
Daniel has made a very tough but sad decision when 'Grace' comes knocking giving him another chance.

What will be his response to this opportunity?

*"DIARY OF A NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN BLOGGER"* is a story of faith, obedience, and absolute trust in God.

I believe you will get a message from God with which you can run through this month.

Click the link below to enter Rachael and Ise-Oluwa's world��

https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2022/06/01/nigerian-christian-bloggers/

HAPPY NEW MONTH FAM.��

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There is a prayer we pray that Good news will not be far from our mouth.��

This girl comes bearing news this afternoon. I have a gift for you.��

I have compiled the blog series "Sapphire" into a book and the pdf version is now available for free.��

Please let's get this book out to the world. Be a blessing to someone by letting them know about 'Sapphire'. Share this life-changing intriguing story on every platform and group and let it reach teenagers, fathers, and mothers alike.

If you have been blessed by this blog series, you will know that people need to hear about it and read it.

Click link below for details on how to get the book.��

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Love you fam!�

-----
Episode 7

It was at the tip of my tongue to refuse the offer, and go on with my plan to stop working for this family, but Mayowa cooed and my attention returned to him. I smiled at him and he returned it with a full smile, his gum on display. My heart melted, and I knew I couldn’t resist her offer, not in a million years.

“Well?”

“Yes ma, we have a deal” I said without taking my eyes off his adorable face.

A shrill noise from downstairs forced my mind back to the present.

Panic seized me as I raced out of the room. Rushing down the stairs, I heard voices in the living room. I rushed there.

Aunty BB was the one who obviously made that sound, because she made it again sending chills down my spine. She was on the ground, crying profusely, slapping the tiles loudly with her palms.

Uncle Ade had his head bent.

“Madam pls take it easy.” the officer said. I did not notice his presence until then.

“Officer I’m finished, you don’t understand, I am totally finished.” she said, screaming loudly.

“What exactly is going on pls!” I said at last, Uncle Ade chose that moment to stand abruptly. He snatched the keys from where they were hung and walked out. I turned my attention to the officer.

“Miss Eki, I have some bad news. We were finally able to locate the car that was described by the gateman to be the car of the robbers. Unfortunately, the car is a write off, it appears there had been a ghastly accident that night. Nobody could have survived the accident, the bodies found were dismembered beyond recognition.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but instead my jaw hung open, with my lips quivering. I felt a sharp pain in my chest

“Is he dead?” I asked dumbly, unable to think clearly

“I’m afraid so.”

“You are a liar! Mayowa is alive, he is not dead!” I screamed suddenly, startling the officer

“Miss Eki, I understand that…”

“No, stop lying to me!! how dare you say Mayowa is dead. How dare you? Never ever tell me that nonsense!” I said, I was breathing heavily. I walked away from him and swiftly ascended the stairs.

I swung my door open, the adjoining door that connected my room to Mayowa’s caught my eye.

I stood transfixed to the spot. Slowly I made my way towards the door. Opened it. Memories flooded my mind.

His framed picture on the wall caught my attention, his ever-smiling handsome face.

“Look at you, looking alive and well. Don’t mind that confused officer, he said you are dead. What nonsense. You can’t be dead, right?” I asked still looking into the picture. My mind was in a blur.

I walked back to my room, his framed picture in my hands. I sat on the floor in my room; I left the adjoining door open so I could look straight into his room.

“Don’t mind them, I’ll wait till you return home.”

I was convincing myself that this whole thing was a lie, but I couldn’t deny the tremor that I felt each time I looked at the picture. I hugged the picture and lay on the rug.

A weakness like liquid snaked it's way through my body all the way down to my toes. I tried to shake off the overwhelming weakness that was lulling me to sleep. I want to stay awake when Mayowa comes home. I finally gave into the urge and drifted off.


...to be continued...

pEn&pApEr
GLORIEADEPOJU
----
Watch out for FAMILIAR ENEMY 8

Remember to subscribe to the blog so you will be notified when the blog is updated.

Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2021/11/07/familiar-enemy-episode-7/
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Cc: Lalasticlala, lolaspen, TemidayoRiches, Peculiar2020, ScientistGood01, Clemency24, TripleOne, Honymix, Geniusepoxy, glo03, Aymee, Adekemi01, fumsin, TheEdenPlace20, Eunice112, Faithfulwrites2, Ruthina1, Beccawumi, Debbyboboye, trophygracie, Fayodamilola, omeizadeborah, ShalomA, Oluwamarytalabi, nueltosin1, treasuretaiwo, Botapreneur, ASHSALT, Olajhidey22

Story Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

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Episode 6

Aunty BB is a business woman to the core, she is a major distributor of foreign designer clothes, shoes and jewelries. Her husband, he is usually addressed as Uncle Ade by the housekeepers.

Aunty BB put me in charge of attending to anything that concerns her welfare in the house. I had no business with Uncle Ade, all I had to do was attend to Aunty BB.

I didn’t think I would be doing much. I couldn’t be more wrong. The workload was more tasking than I imagined. Every weekend, I was expected to select all her clothes for the week.

Take the clothes to the dry cleaners ahead of time. I was to arrange the clothes in her closets according to each day of the week. The same for her under garments and lingerie. Aunty BB was the life of party, I was expected to be abreast of social events she would be attending, finding out the appropriate clothes for each occasion, making sure they were ready before hand.

I had to keep record to ensure that she never repeats an attire for any social event, ever, she made it emphatically clear that it would be a grave mistake on my part if it ever happened.

The jewelries, shoes, wigs, bags, I oversaw selecting and arranging them ahead of the next day. It would have been easier to handle these tasks if Aunty BB wasn’t so difficult to please.

Sometimes after I had returned from the dry cleaners with the clothes, then she would insist that all she would have on her for each day of the week must be from a particular brand.

I must ensure that her jewelries, shoes, bag, accessories even perfume were from a particular brand, meaning I had to choose new sets of clothes all over again.

The work was not only tasking but it also exposed me to areas of herself and Uncle Ade’s life that I wished I didn’t know. Aunty BB was a heavy drinker, lived an extravagant lifestyle.

Uncle Ade was a chronic womanizer. Sometimes he travelled so much I would hardly see him for months, at other times, he would be around, quite engrossed in his work.

After one full year of working with them, the first child Omomayowa was born. I had made up my mind to stop working for Aunty BB, until that day she called me into her room.

“You haven’t even taken a second look at him. You haven’t carried him in your arms, have you?” Aunty BB asked with baby Mayowa in her arms, there was that accusing undertone in her voice, she handed him over to me.

Reluctantly I took him into my arms, and looked down at his innocent and happy face. I was mesmerized as I took a good look at him. I had deliberately avoided having anything to do with the new baby.

The circumstances that surrounded Mayowa’s birth and the part I played in it still haunted me, I had even made up my mind to get away from it all, until I carried him in my arms.

“Your job description just changed. Nanny, I think that’s what it’s called, that’s your job now. Full time, you would have whatever you need, just make sure you dedicate every waking hour to nurturing this golden boy. Do we have a deal?” She asked emphatically.

“Is this some sort of compensation?” I thought.

...to be continued...

pEn&pApEr
GLORIEADEPOJU
----
Watch out for FAMILIAR ENEMY 7

Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2021/09/14/familiar-enemy-episode-6/
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Cc: Lalasticlala, lolaspen, TemidayoRiches, Peculiar2020, ScientistGood01, Clemency24, TripleOne, Honymix, Geniusepoxy, glo03, Aymee, Adekemi01, fumsin, TheEdenPlace20, Eunice112, Faithfulwrites2, Ruthina1, Beccawumi, Debbyboboye, trophygracie, Fayodamilola, omeizadeborah, ShalomA, Oluwamarytalabi, nueltosin1, treasuretaiwo, Botapreneur, ASHSALT, Olajhidey22

Story Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

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Episode 5

“Last month I had a girl whose job was to attend to me personally, here in this home. She agreed to the job because she was awaiting admission. I let her go the moment she got admission into the University. I haven’t thought about a replacement since then.” For the first time since I stepped in, she took a good look at me.

There was something about the way she regarded me, the silent way she was studying me.

“I’ll take her.” she said, those simple words did so much to ease the tension in the atmosphere.

They finally reached a conclusion about how much I’ll be paid monthly. It doubled what Pa Benjamin paid. I was stunned, even though my features were too schooled to give any emotion away.

“You will not regret your decision, I promise you.” Madam Mabel said as she stood up

“I’ll take your word for it, my regards to your family. I would love to see you off, but I can’t because of this.” she said, gesturing towards her feet under the ministrations of the pedicurist, who was totally concentrated on her business

“No problem, I totally understand.”

Madam Mabel, signaled and I followed her outside.

“BB and I were mates in the University, I can’t say I know her so well. What I do know is that she treats her staff well, in that regard, you are in good hands.” Madam Mabel said to me once we got outside.

She dipped her hand into her bag and she fished out a thousand naira note, she pressed it into my palms.

“Manage this in case of any emergency before you get paid.”
Surprised, I felt greatly touched; “Ah, thank you so much ma..” I knelt in appreciation

“You are welcome. I’ve told you to stop kneeling for me.” she said pulling me up.

“I have a long way to go, I have to be on my way. Remain the good girl that you are Eki. Now, go inside, don’t keep her waiting for too long.” she added.

“Ok ma, thank you so much ma.” I spoke. She adjusted her bag properly and turned to leave.

Although Madam Mabel and I were never so close, as she was leaving, I knew I would miss her. The moment she walked out the gate, I went back inside.

“You look tired; I guess you had quite a long journey. You will rest today, come downstairs for dinner by 7, not earlier not later. You understand?”

“Yes Madam.”

“Which Madam?” she asked sneering

“You address me as Aunty BB. Ok?”

“Yes ma… Aunty BB.”

“Good, Peter! Peter!!”

“Yes Aunty!” came a voice from somewhere within the house.

A man joined us in the living room,

“This is Peter, the housekeeper.” she said gesturing towards him

“Peter, starting from today, Eki works for me. Take her to one of the rooms upstairs.”

“Up…stairs ma?”

“Yes! Do you have a problem with that?!” she said sharply

“No ma, sorry ma”

I clutched my bag, and followed Peter upstairs. A new chapter of my life opened.

…to be continued…

pEn&pApEr
GLORIEADEPOJU
----

Watch out for FAMILIAR ENEMY 6

Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2021/09/14/familiar-enemy-episode-5/
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Story Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

Episode 4

Pa Benjamin had about seven children, four of which were scattered across the globe, whilst three are based in Nigeria. During all the times I stayed with Pa Benjamin, only his last child visited and called often. Most people assumed Pa Benjamin had only this one child, Mabel. When the funeral rites were over, Madam Mabel called to see me.

“Eki, my Father loved you like his own. You did a great job of taking care of him. You served him faithfully. I want so badly to take you along to live with me and my family. Unfortunately, I can’t, our home is crowded as it now. My husband’s younger twin sisters live with us, there is nowhere else vacant in that house, it just a small space we are managing.” She sighed in frustration, she was quiet and lost in thought, sighing at intervals.

I felt anxious. I had nowhere to go, knew nowhere else. Yes, I had trusted my life into God’s hands, but I couldn’t help but wonder in fear if I would end up homeless and back on the streets.

“Dad made me promise him something as he was dying. He made me promise that you would be well taken care of. I don’t even have the financial capability to achieve that, but then I already gave him my word on his death bed. Whatever it takes I have to fulfil that promise.” She said softly, more to herself than to me, rubbing her temple softly, with her eyes closed. She went quiet, the silence stretched. I almost thought she had fallen asleep, then she spoke again, eyes still closed.

“Go to bed, I’ll let you know my decision.”

“Okay ma, thank you ma.” I said
with a slight bow and went into my room, where I knelt and prayed for an intervention like my life depended on it.

The next morning, she had clearly decided, because we were on our way out of the state. I had no idea what her decision was, or where she was taking me. We arrived at our destination in the evening.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He would direct thy path.” I repeatedly said this scripture under my breath, it was the word I received from God as I poured out my heart to the Lord in prayer last night. Repeating it over was my habit of letting the word sink into my being.

We entered an amazingly impressive looking house with posh interior decoration. The woman I assumed to be the Madam of the house, sat in the living room, a pedicurist was attending to her, completely focused on her job. It was home service obviously. The moment I stepped into the living room, I felt strange

“WELCOME TO YOUR PLACE OF ASSIGNMENT.” came the soft voice. I looked behind me quickly, wondering who had spoken to me. I was shocked to see that no one had said anything, and it occurred to me that the voice must have been what Pa Benjamin usually called the inner voice. The Holy spirit.

“Place of assignment? God wants me to do something here? Me?” I asked in my head, my curiosity heightened and, in my mind, questions arose like several sea waves, loud and drowning the voices and conversations around me. Madam Mabel tapped me; the physical touch seemed to drag me back to reality.

“Ma?” I looked at her in confusion, she must have spoken to me, and I had obviously not been paying attention

“I asked about your age.”

“I’m fifteen years old ma” I said quickly, in the composed manner that Pa Benjamin had taught me.

The woman glanced at me briefly;
“She speaks good English.” She said in a tone suggested that she was impressed. Madam Mabel had a satisfied smile.

“Mabel, there’s already the maid who cleans and takes care of the house, another maid who washes clothes, we have a chef too. What exactly would I be needing another for?” She said with a shrug. Madam Mabel adjusted on her seat uncomfortably

“I don’t need another…but then…” she seemed deep in thought for some seconds, Madam Mabel almost looked as if she was holding her breath. I waited eagerly as well.

…to be continued…

pEn&pApEr
GLORIEADEPOJU
----

Watch out for FAMILIAR ENEMY 5

Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2021/09/12/familiar-enemy-episode-4/

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Cc: Lalasticlala, lolaspen, TemidayoRiches, Peculiar2020, ScientistGood01, Clemency24, TripleOne, Honymix, Geniusepoxy, glo03, Aymee, Adekemi01, fumsin, TheEdenPlace20, Eunice112, Faithfulwrites2, Ruthina1, Beccawumi, Debbyboboye, trophygracie, Fayodamilola, omeizadeborah, ShalomA, Oluwamarytalabi, nueltosin1, treasuretaiwo, Botapreneur, ASHSALT, Olajhidey22

Story Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

Episode 3

“Of what use is this one now?” Mama Swagger said to the lady.

“What else? the same thing the others are used for.”

“She’s a child!!!, what were you thinking picking someone this young?! Don’t tell me  you didn’t have plans when you picked and kept her here all along eating my free food!” Mama Swagger said her anger rising.

“I…don’t…know, I jus…t…tho…ught she’d be useful, somehow. It doesn’t matter that she’s a child na, how about those who prefer children?” The lady said clearly uncomfortable with Mama Swagger’s rising temper.

I just stood there, watching as they discussed me like I was invisible, good thing I was too young to understand.

“Prefer children? Yes, I know, but the kind of trouble we would get into, I’m not ready for that kind of trouble!!!” Mama Swagger said, casting occasional angry glances at me. I became afraid, I had always tried not to get on her bad side.

“What do we do? We need to dispose of this one quick, I’m losing my patience!” Mama Swagger said again, as she lighted her cigarette.

“Think! think of something fast!!!, This thing is not staying another night here, I hate the sight of a profitless creature eating free food!!” Mama Swagger said in a loud voice

Mama Swagger smokes when she’s angry, irritated. Once she starts, she just wouldn’t stop for a long time. I never liked the choking feeling of being near her when she does it, another reason I tried incredibly hard not to get on her bad side. I searched my young mind for an excuse to leave the room.

After a minute of drumming her fingers on the center table in the sitting room, the lady finally spoke.

“I have an idea, there’s this rich family, they need a house help urgently. That should work.”

“Whatever, just get her out of here!”
The choking feeling was beginning to overwhelm me.

“I wan piss” I said quickly, suppressing my cough. The last time I coughed when she was smoking, I got a hot slap from her.

“Don’t you know your way to the toilet, or what’s the useless information for?”

“This is not a daycare!!!!, the next time you dare bring any young thing here again I’d not take it lightly!” I heard Mama Swagger say as I rushed out.

I ended up in a rich household as a maid, and then my journey as a house help began. As the years passed, I moved from house to house as a house maid. Of course, I had lost all connection with the lady. At age 12, I ended up in a home of an elderly man, as his maid, and my life took a drastic turn.

Pa Benjamin had lost his wife long ago and his children were all grown up. He led me to Christ, my eyes were opened to a new kind of life completely different from the one I had known. Life slowly began to make sense.

Pa Benjamin being a retired teacher, took responsibility for my education, and home schooled me. My relationship with Jesus changed everything incredibly. I found hope, joy, love and a reason to live.

Three years later, Pa Benjamin passed away. I cried. The only person and place I could call home, gone.

…to be continued…

pEn&pApEr
GLORIEADEPOJU

——-

Please kindly drop your comments in the comments section of the blog and remember to subscribe to the blog so you will be notified when the blog is updated.

Thank you.

—-
Remember to subscribe to the site so you will be notified when the blog is updated.

The next episode will be dropped very soon. Stay Blessed.

Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2021/09/09/familiar-enemy-episode-3/

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Remember to drop your comments.

Cc: Lalasticlala, lolaspen, TemidayoRiches, Peculiar2020, ScientistGood01, Clemency24, TripleOne, Honymix, Geniusepoxy, glo03, Aymee, Adekemi01, fumsin, TheEdenPlace20, Eunice112, Faithfulwrites2, Ruthina1, Beccawumi, Debbyboboye, trophygracie, Fayodamilola, omeizadeborah, ShalomA, Oluwamarytalabi, nueltosin1, treasuretaiwo, Botapreneur, ASHSALT, Olajhidey22

Story Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

FAMILIAR ENEMY by Glorie Adepoju

All rights reserved.

Avoid Plagiarism.

Do enjoy this story and be blessed.

-----
Episode 2

I splashed some cold water on my face several times, my head bent into the wash hand basin in the bathroom. I raised my head, looking at my reflection in the mirror positioned right above the wash hand basin. My puffy eyes stared back at me.

I couldn’t even remember getting one night of good sleep for days. Today made it exactly one week and a day since Mayowa got kidnapped.

That night, our gate man had been able to clearly see the kind of car the robbers drove; he was able to describe it to the police. I had thought it would be easy for the police to find Mayowa with that information but it appeared I was very wrong.

Every chance I got, I prayed tirelessly. Initially, my faith was so strong, I was certain good news would be our portion. However, each time the police visited, it was the same news: no sign of Mayowa, the robbers or their car.

I lazily walked back into the room. It was still quite early in the morning. The very time I would usually go to Mayowa’s room, to wake him up and get him ready for school. The adjoining door that connected my room to his, made that easy for me.

“Is it morning already Aunty EKiki?” He would usually ask drowsily, his handsome little face breaking into a cute smile. He referred to me as Ekiki instead of Eki, because he said Eki was too short to be the name of a person.

“Yes, big man, what do we do first thing in the morning?” I would ask as usual.

“Lay my bed and talk to Jesus” he would reply with a yawn.

“Are you excited to talk to Jesus this morning?”

“Yup”

“What did I teach you about saying yup”

“Oh, bad English, sorry, yes Aunty EKiki”

“Good boy, you are becoming a man” I would say with a smile and then tickle him, and amidst his uncontrollable laughter, he would get up. And the morning would begin.

My heart clenched as I remembered I have been an orphan for as long as I can remember. I never knew my parents; I don’t even know if they ever lived as a couple. If I was the result of a fling or a blooming relationship. The only thing I knew was that I lived with my grandmother in the village, before I even began to walk, maybe she’s not my grandmother, I don’t know.

One day, a certain lady came from the city to the village. She told my grandmother that she wanted to take me to the city and make my life better. I was about 6 years old then. My grandmother agreed without even a second thought, she never really liked me. My grandmother was already well advanced in age, and I was a handful. Even as a child, I knew at that moment that I was being discarded.

The lady left the village with about a score of us. She took us to the city as promised, but not to make our lives better.

Sleeping in a room, sandwiched alongside other girls, some of them much older than I was. Several of them, just a year or two older than me.

An older woman called Mama Swagger, she had a quick and very hot temper, we were staying in her house. Each time the familiar lady came visiting, that meant someone amongst us was going with her.

One after the other, the girls were taken away, to where I didn’t know, but they never came back. Until I was the last one left.

Seeing the lady again that evening visiting Mama Swagger’s place, I just believed it was finally my turn. …

to be continued…

pEn&pApEr
GLORIEADEPOJU

—-
Remember to subscribe to the site so you will be notified when the blog is updated.

The next episode will be dropped very soon. Stay Blessed.

Watch out for FAMILIAR ENEMY 3

Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2021/09/09/familiar-enemy-episode-2/

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Remember to drop your comments.

Cc: Lalasticlala, lolaspen, TemidayoRiches, Peculiar2020, ScientistGood01, Clemency24, TripleOne, Honymix, Geniusepoxy, glo03, Aymee, Adekemi01, fumsin, TheEdenPlace20, Eunice112, Faithfulwrites2, Ruthina1, Beccawumi, Debbyboboye, trophygracie, Fayodamilola, omeizadeborah, ShalomA, Oluwamarytalabi, nueltosin1, treasuretaiwo, Botapreneur, ASHSALT, Olajhidey22

Story Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

“One more word from anyone again, and I would waste this boy here right now! Understand?!!!” He barked.

I nodded, my eyes on Mayowa. His own eyes were tightly shut, as he whimpered loudly and was visibly shaking. A sight that broke my heart.

“Hey boy, you want to die?”

Mayowa shook his head vigorously

“Then shut up!”

The gun was still pointed to the side of his head, and I watched helplessly as they led him out, I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off him.

“Jesus pls, Father, do something, don’t let them take him away!!, He is a young boy that loves you, don’t let them!”

I screamed in my head, as I watched them go.

I caught glimpses of the deadly weapons the men carried. The possibilities of what he would go through in the custody of such heartless men, filled my heart with intense fear and anxiety, so much it was paralyzing.

Drowning in the overwhelming emotions, I slipped into unconsciousness.

…to be continued…

pEn&pApEr
GLORIEADEPOJU

—-
How do you feel about this new story Series? Express yourself in the comment section of the blog.

Remember to subscribe to the site so you will be notified when the blog is updated.

The next episode will be dropped very soon. Stay Blessed.

Shall we find out what events would begin to unfold after this?

Watch out for FAMILIAR ENEMY 2

Source: https://peculiar-inspiro.com/2021/09/04/familiar-enemy-episode-1/
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------------

Please let me know what you think about the story.

Cc: Lalasticlala, lolaspen, TemidayoRiches, Peculiar2020, ScientistGood01, Clemency24, TripleOne, Honymix, Geniusepoxy, glo03, Aymee, Adekemi01, fumsin, TheEdenPlace20, Eunice112, Faithfulwrites2, Ruthina1, Beccawumi, Debbyboboye, trophygracie, Fayodamilola, omeizadeborah, ShalomA, Oluwamarytalabi, nueltosin1, treasuretaiwo, Botapreneur, ASHSALT, Olajhidey22

Story Source: www.peculiar-inspiro.com

FAMILIAR ENEMY by Glorie Adepoju

All rights reserved.

Avoid Plagiarism.

Do enjoy this story and be blessed.

-----
EPISODE 1

“Face down! Everybody!”

“Raise your head and I blow it off!!!” He cocked the gun as if to emphasize his point, whimpering sounds of everyone followed, mine inclusive. I had never heard a gun cock at such close range. These robbers meant business and the mere thought of that made my heart pound in fear.

I buried my head into my already trembling palms, as we all lay on our tummies. The cold tiled floor of the spacious living room offered no comfort as my body pressed against it.

“Hey stand up!” One of them barked, his deep, raspy voice echoed loudly.

“Pls don’t kill me pls!!!!!!” Mayowa screamed repeatedly in between tears.

“Quiet!” came the loud command that sent a chill down my spine.

I trembled violently on the floor as Mayowa whimpered loudly.

“We only came here to take what we need. We don’t intend to leave here without it! Hey boy, you are coming with us!”

“No pls no!!, Not him!!” I screamed impulsively.

I realized that I didn’t just scream in my head like I thought, but I had screamed out loud and in fact raised my head and was facing one of the masked robbers. There was silence for a split second, my sudden outburst must have shocked the robbers, I was equally shocked at such boldness. It was short lived as I felt fear creeping in again.

“Pls sir, don’t do this to me, my only son, I beg you. Take me and spare him pls.” Aunty BB screamed, in tears

In a swift motion the masked robber holding Mayowa pointed the gun on Mayowa’s head. The dark metal glistened. My heart stopped and then started pounding so hard.

Silence.

The Story Continues...

CHOICES

Written by: Ife Grace Dada

The interview was for 8am. But by 5:30 a.m, I was dressed and out of the house. This would be the third interview I’d be attending in a week and I was hoping that one of them would at least click.  At 33, what I wanted so badly was to move into my own rented apartment and settle down with my sweetheart, Ruth.

Two years ago, I started a business with a friend who disappeared to Togo with our profit. Trusting him with the funds of the business was a terrible mistake. He was the Sunday school supervisor for my branch and I’d been blessed by his teachings. I never expected he would do something like that. That experience shook me and Dad suggested I go for my masters. He believed with the Masters degree, I’d find a good job.

When the keke napep stopped in front of the venue for the interview, my heart fainted when I saw people hanging around the building, holding either a brown envelope or a clear bag. I found a spot by the wall and leaned on it, fighting despair and unbelief.

A woman beside me was narrating how she had travelled to the UK for Masters and after the course, she had tried to stay back but had been chased back home. Since she arrived a year ago, she had been scouting for a job. If she had used the school fees to start a business, maybe by now, she would have become a millionaire.

A man with bushy beards jumped down from a bike and stared at us. He was also holding a brown envelope. The only difference was that his was old and tattered and you could see stained sheets of white paper sticking out of the envelope.

He hissed. ‘God punish Nigeria. How many positions are they offering us that they called us out here?  Nigerians are mad.’

‘The thing tire me o.’ a short pot-bellied man with bulgy eyes responded. ‘I just feel like tearing this certificate and jumping off the bridge.’

‘I have a friend who works there. She said the pay is between 40 and 50 thousand naira.’ The lady with a masters from the UK added.

‘Can you imagine. How can a Nigerian graduate living in Lagos be earning that stupid amount. And some senators are sitting somewhere eating our money.’

The discussion rolled on until the security guard opened the gate and asked us to come in. A man in dark suit came out of the office to address us. He introduced himself as the head of the HR department and divided us into batches. The reception was small to accommodate all of us. Some of us had to wait outside until we got called in.

It wasn’t until 2p.m that my turn came and by the time I was done, I was satisfied I had answered all the questions correctly.

The following week, I received mails from two of the companies. I had been rejected.

Days ran into weeks and still I didn’t hear from the others. Despair weighed me down and I just couldn’t fight it off. Mum tried to force me to eat but my taste buds had lost its usefulness. Depression was right at the door.

One Saturday morning, Ruth came to see me. My parents were out of town for a wedding ceremony and I was alone in the living room reading some scriptures in preparation for Sunday school the following day. When the words weren’t making any sense to me, I closed it and pushed my bible aside wondering what benefit serving God was. Most of my Sunday school students were gainfully employed. Young boys with nice rides. Beautiful single ladies pursuing different careers. Why was my case different?

‘Guess what? I got a job for you.’ Ruth announced as she entered the living room.

I sat up quickly and stared at my fiancée. She was grinning and rolling her eyes playfully at me.

‘Ruth, that joke is expensive. I don’t need that right now.’

‘I’m very serious. My boss connected me with his friend who is the MD of a consulting firm.  They are looking for a sales executive. I went to see him at his office and he said you don’t need an interview. You can start next week.’

I jumped to my feet and pulled her into a tight hug.  ‘Thank you so much.”

She laughed. ‘You won’t even ask how much the pay is.’

‘I don’t care right now. I just need a job. When do I start?’

‘Easy man. Relax.. You’ll be earning 70,000 naira monthly.’

I jogged round the sitting room and began to sing at the top of my voice.

Halleluyah eh, halleluyah  o

Halleluyah eh, It’s the sound of victory

Halleluyah eh, Halleluyah o

Let the sound of rejoicing fill this house.’

‘Wait! You are getting that job on one condition.’

I stopped, waiting impatiently for more explanation. Nothing was going to stop me from getting this job.



(Excerpt from the story "Choices".)

-------

Beloved, Will you make your fig leaves yourselves or settle for God’s coat of skin?�


Click link below to continue reading "Choices."��


https://peculiarinspiro.com/2021/04/06/choices-a-short-story/


Good Afternoon Beloved.�

CHOICES

Written by: Ife Grace Dada

The interview was for 8am. But by 5:30 a.m, I was dressed and out of the house. This would be the third interview I’d be attending in a week and I was hoping that one of them would at least click.  At 33, what I wanted so badly was to move into my own rented apartment and settle down with my sweetheart, Ruth.

Two years ago, I started a business with a friend who disappeared to Togo with our profit. Trusting him with the funds of the business was a terrible mistake. He was the Sunday school supervisor for my branch and I’d been blessed by his teachings. I never expected he would do something like that. That experience shook me and Dad suggested I go for my masters. He believed with the Masters degree, I’d find a good job.

When the keke napep stopped in front of the venue for the interview, my heart fainted when I saw people hanging around the building, holding either a brown envelope or a clear bag. I found a spot by the wall and leaned on it, fighting despair and unbelief.

A woman beside me was narrating how she had travelled to the UK for Masters and after the course, she had tried to stay back but had been chased back home. Since she arrived a year ago, she had been scouting for a job. If she had used the school fees to start a business, maybe by now, she would have become a millionaire.

A man with bushy beards jumped down from a bike and stared at us. He was also holding a brown envelope. The only difference was that his was old and tattered and you could see stained sheets of white paper sticking out of the envelope.

He hissed. ‘God punish Nigeria. How many positions are they offering us that they called us out here?  Nigerians are mad.’

‘The thing tire me o.’ a short pot-bellied man with bulgy eyes responded. ‘I just feel like tearing this certificate and jumping off the bridge.’

‘I have a friend who works there. She said the pay is between 40 and 50 thousand naira.’ The lady with a masters from the UK added.

‘Can you imagine. How can a Nigerian graduate living in Lagos be earning that stupid amount. And some senators are sitting somewhere eating our money.’

The discussion rolled on until the security guard opened the gate and asked us to come in. A man in dark suit came out of the office to address us. He introduced himself as the head of the HR department and divided us into batches. The reception was small to accommodate all of us. Some of us had to wait outside until we got called in.

It wasn’t until 2p.m that my turn came and by the time I was done, I was satisfied I had answered all the questions correctly.

The following week, I received mails from two of the companies. I had been rejected.

Days ran into weeks and still I didn’t hear from the others. Despair weighed me down and I just couldn’t fight it off. Mum tried to force me to eat but my taste buds had lost its usefulness. Depression was right at the door.

One Saturday morning, Ruth came to see me. My parents were out of town for a wedding ceremony and I was alone in the living room reading some scriptures in preparation for Sunday school the following day. When the words weren’t making any sense to me, I closed it and pushed my bible aside wondering what benefit serving God was. Most of my Sunday school students were gainfully employed. Young boys with nice rides. Beautiful single ladies pursuing different careers. Why was my case different?

‘Guess what? I got a job for you.’ Ruth announced as she entered the living room.

I sat up quickly and stared at my fiancée. She was grinning and rolling her eyes playfully at me.

‘Ruth, that joke is expensive. I don’t need that right now.’

‘I’m very serious. My boss connected me with his friend who is the MD of a consulting firm.  They are looking for a sales executive. I went to see him at his office and he said you don’t need an interview. You can start next week.’

I jumped to my feet and pulled her into a tight hug.  ‘Thank you so much.”

She laughed. ‘You won’t even ask how much the pay is.’

‘I don’t care right now. I just need a job. When do I start?’

‘Easy man. Relax.. You’ll be earning 70,000 naira monthly.’

I jogged round the sitting room and began to sing at the top of my voice.

Halleluyah eh, halleluyah  o

Halleluyah eh, It’s the sound of victory

Halleluyah eh, Halleluyah o

Let the sound of rejoicing fill this house.’

‘Wait! You are getting that job on one condition.’

I stopped, waiting impatiently for more explanation. Nothing was going to stop me from getting this job.



(Excerpt from the story "Choices".)

-------

Beloved, Will you make your fig leaves yourselves or settle for God’s coat of skin?�


Click link below to continue reading "Choices."��


https://peculiarinspiro.com/2021/04/06/choices-a-short-story/


Good Afternoon Beloved.�

*FRESH FIRE IN MY BONES Episode (6&7)*

Good Afternoon Family.

I apologise for the delay in posting Episode 6.�

To make up for that I have made two episodes available to you today. It has been published on the blog since dawn so some people might have read it already. (That's the essence of subscribing to the blog.)�

Click links below to read Episode 6&7.�


https://peculiarinspiro.com/2021/03/28/fresh-fire-in-my-bones-episode-6/

https://peculiarinspiro.com/2021/03/28/fresh-fire-in-my-bones-episode-7/

Happy Sunday.��

```When there are people to pray, there is a God to answer.```

Fresh Fire in my bones (Episode 5) is on the blog.

Click link below to read.�


https://peculiarinspiro.com/2021/03/25/fresh-fire-in-my-bones-episode-5/

Good evening Family.�

Good morning Sir/Ma. Is anyone awake?☺️

Well, the 4th Episode is on the blog.�

It's no news that Damilola's friend and partner has been executed by his Father.�

There is just a lot to be revealed in this Episode.

Dami has being locked up in Preparation for the Ritual.

The Church has not been left out of this whole incident.�‍♀️

Brother Tayo was gruesomely murdered while doing his morning cry. Sister Sonia was raped and killed on her way back from church and Elder Silas was kidnapped and killed, even after ransom was paid.�

Is the Church going to fold her hands and do nothing?�‍♀️

How will Dami escape his Wicked Father?

----

"O God, work on him to fulfil your purpose. Holy Ghost, cook him up with your fire. Empower him. Empower him. Empower him!"

"Let us pray that God will create a wall of fire around him and protect him from every demonic influence of his father. That God would make him whom he want him to be. Shall we pray!"

You don't understand?�
-----

Click link below to read Fresh Fire in my Bones (Episode 4)�

https://peculiarinspiro.com/2021/03/24/fresh-fire-in-my-bones-episode-4/

God bless you as you read.�

FRESH FIRE IN MY BONES (Episode 3)


"...I have been preaching for 15years now, and no one has been saved except you, who got saved just 3 months ago. And with the fact that you are the son of Baba Aro, the man behind the veil of darkness and satanic practices in this land, I know God has an assignment for you. I see the end of my road."

----

What could have happened to make Br Elijah make such a statement?

What eventually befell this beloved brother?

How is Dami coping with his ever terrorising family members?

Click link below to read Fresh Fire in my bones (Episode 3) ��

https://peculiarinspiro.com/2021/03/23/fresh-fire-in-my-bones-episode-3/

```Be strong O Soldiers of the Cross! Whether in threat of death or life, brace up your sword and stand against evil and unrighteousness in the land!```

Episode 2 is out my people. �

Things have gotten Intense.

Or what do you think of family members terrorising their own sibling?

Anyways let me tell you this: No matter the threat of the enemies, don't panic. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah walks with you!

Please click the link below and be blessed.�

https://peculiarinspiro.com/2021/03/21/fresh-fire-in-my-bones-episode-2/

Happy Sunday Family.��

*FRESH FIRE IN MY BONES*

Good Afternoon Fam �

Episode 1 is on the blog.�

Tell your friends! A hot reviving story series has commenced.�

Please Note: Due to my schedule, most of the Episodes of this series will be scheduled so you might want to subscribe to the blog so you will get a mail as soon as the blog is updated.

Remember to drop your comments on the blog.� Sit back and Enjoy the first Episode.�

https://peculiarinspiro.com/2021/03/20/fresh-fire-in-my-bones-episode-1/