Recently, I was invited as a guest speaker to a graduation ceremony of a primary school. For days, it was difficult for me to decide on what to speak about. I had to tell God to put into my heart and mouth what He desired, and I closed the chapter. In the last three years, I have been invited as a guest speaker about six times by different schools. It was never difficult for me to know what to speak on… but this very one. 
Till that morning when I was leaving for the venue, I did not know what to say. At first, I was worried, telling God, I’ve not heard from you fa! Would I go there and start preaching John 3:16? The school said they want me to speak to the parents, Christians and Muslims alike. What will I say?
Despite the fact that nothing came to me, somehow, I had peace within me to proceed to the venue and that when I open my mouth, God would fill it. I don’t know how… I just had peace. One of the ways I know God is involved in anything I want to do is the presence of peace within me! Once I have no peace about anything, I forget it immediately.
Stepping out of my vehicle at the parking lot of the venue, I saw a pencil on the floor and a boy ran to pick it. I asked if it belongs to him, he said no. Then I heard a woman, his mother, encouraging him to pick it. I asked her if the pencil belongs to him. Nonchalantly, she said no. ‘Let him take it ojare. I also buy him plenty of pencils which he lost. Someone lost this, let him pick it.’ The boy picked it and started walking away. Just then, I saw another boy, walking towards us, searching the floor as if he lost something. ‘What are you looking for? I asked him. ‘My pencil. My mummy gave it to me this morning. She will kill me if I don’t go home with it.’ He was almost in tears.
Immediately, I walked fast towards the hall and called the attention of the mother to the owner of the pencil. I forcefully took the pencil from her son and beckoned on the rightful owner to collect it. He was glad, and without a thank-you, sir, melted into the hall.
Just then the organisers of the program, the proprietor of the school saw me and came to welcome me. As we walked to the high table, I heard the Lord telling me, ‘Boy, that is your message to the parents. Those who see their children with items they did not buy for them and keep quiet?’
Immediately I sat down, I picked my pen and started writing as the Lord dropped the ideas on me. I wrote these verses below, right on the high table that morning before speaking for about 20 minutes …
YOU ARE A THIEF…!
From school, your child returns
With a ruler, pencil, eraser etc that are not his
And you do not raise an eyebrow
From where did you get these?
You keep quiet like nothing spoil
Madam, your child is a thief
And you, the BIGGEST thief!
Ok, you question the child
He says I lost my pencil in school
But I found this one on the floor in my class
I took it because someone also took mine
In your heart, you think the child is justified
Does the floor manufacture pencils?
Madam, I say you are a shameless thief!
Your child is in a tertiary institution
She comes home with clothes and shoes
That you know you did not buy for her
And you feel it unnecessary to ask questions
She is old enough to manage herself, you say
Wherever she gets them from is her problem
Father is a thief, mother is a thief!
Daddy, you buy something at the market
The price is high and you are so bitter
You decide to buy though grudgingly
But the seller gives you more than your balance
You keep quiet and walk away
Thinking God has justified you for the price hike
That money will burn your pocket
Daddy, you are a thief!
You are a pastor of a Church
A member has no job, doing nothing
Suddenly he appears with a fat tithe
And you do not ask him questions
How come this tithe? What has the Lord done?
You just say kneel down let me bless you
Pastor, you are a thief!
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We appreciate your comments below…
Bola Adewara.
