MINDSCOPE: July 2022

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Seye Adetunmbi

My vintage picture on a brand new rally tricycle at the age of one, was my first birthday anniversary in 1963 and it was celebrated by my parents and siblings for me. My feet could not touch the pedals in the memorable picture; which means that my older siblings enjoyed riding the bike while I was growing up for my legs to catch up. I can't remember any formal birthday celebration in pictures until when I started marking my birthday myself. There was a year that throughout the whole day, I forgot my birthday anniversary and when I mentioned it before my mentor in the undergraduate years, he remarked that may be because I have not been celebrating my birthdays that was why it skipped my memory. Since then, I have been marking my birthday anniversary, modestly, every year. There was a year I accompanied Uncle Richard, one of my father's younger brothers to his farm in Ifaki-Ekiti on my birthday anniversary, just to mark the day. When I was 35 years old, I marked it in my apartment in Lagos, with my nephews, nieces other little children in the neighborhood. When my 40th birthday fell on a Sunday in 2002, I did thanksgiving at Anglican Church of the Ascension, Opebi, Lagos during the regular church service; and thereafter, I had a good game of squash with my buddy, Yinka Olafimihan a.k.a. Abona at Unilag Squash Court. The friendly squash game was specifically meant to mark the day, just before we had food and drinks for all guests. I was able to beat him 2:1 that day because, Yinka and I were rivals in the squash court over the years. Perhaps, it was his birthday gift to me for that year, in order to make me feel good. Year in year out, my subsequent birthday anniversaries were marked with my family at home or we stepped out to eat in a good restaurant. I usually mark my milestone birthday anniversary with something to set the day aside, and other birthday anniversaries, depending on the day of the week it falls and the location of where I found myself. My 50th birthday anniversary was marked with holy communion and thanksgiving service at Anglican Church of the Ascension and thereafter, I presented my first book, MINDSET, to the public at the reception. When I was 57, it was on a Sunday, my family and friends joined me to give thanks to God during the church service. On my 58th birthday anniversary, I presented a textbook, titled: Financial Intermediation: Operations and Practice to the public via zoom; it was in the thick of the lockdown as a result of the incursion of covid19 into the global space. On July 21, 2021, I marked it with my childhood friends, primary school classmates and relations in Ifaki-Ekiti; we treated ourselves to indigenous meals and wine (ogoro).

God has been too kind to me and my family. I survived some wild expeditions as an adventurous youth through the grace of God. I remember a journey across the Lagos lagoon in a local speed boat without safety jackets because it couldn't go round and I didn't know how to swim! You can imagine my state of mind when fuel finished in the engine powering the boat before we got to our destination for the beach party, until another boat came to our rescue. How can I forget my trip in company of my friends, young working class university graduates, to Port Harcourt for a party. Some left from Ibadan/Lagos axis while we took off from Ilorin on Saturday morning. While we were returning from the night party, our car ran into a bad pothole veiled by drainage water. One arm of the car went bad and must be fixed on Sunday morning before we could travel. Meanwhile, one of us told his parents that we were traveling to Ibadan, delayed arrival caused anxiety for us and people at home; also our other friends heading to Lagos would have to be at work on Monday. Sagbani Patani portion of the road was a nightmare for us considering the condition of our car that the mechanic managed to fix. Everybody was quiet in the car, I exhausted singing all the Anglican church hymns that I could remember throughout most part of the journey. Thank God there was no boko-haram and Niger-Delta bad boys then.

Considering the situation of things in Nigeria, to get to the 6th floor is no joke. On the 29th of December in 2020, I almost died! God revived me when spirited effort to get me medical attention was still in progress. This is why I said to myself that I must give thanks to God for keeping me alive to mark 60th birthday in the land of the living. In addition, I formally unveiled on my 60th birthday anniversary, my new book: The Premium Schools in Nigeria. I don't like celebrating my birthday on any other day apart from the anniversary day. I so much appreciate those who were able to join us on a working day, at the holy communion service held at St Botolph's Church, Northfleet, on Thursday, July 21, 2022. It gives me great joy to share the accompanying pictures, videos and other visuals with all well wishers. Yes, I have so many reasons to praise and thank God for His uncommon grace (ore ofe sa...) and integrated blessings. Join me in giving thanks to God, while reminding all God's children to count their blessings too, and it will surprise you on what the Lord has done.

THE SERMON

Rev Cyril Showers

The meaning and essence of a 60th birthday is significant in many cultures for many different reasons. In the western world, this is seen as a huge milestone as in many places this was and in some still is the retirement age. This is where one chapter of your life closes and the age of retirement opens to you.

However, I am sure this is certainly not the start of your retirement Seye, but a new chapter in your Christian Journey.

So today, we are here to Give thanks to God for 60 years of the life of Husband, Father, relation and friend, Seye. Today is a day of thanksgiving, a time of reflection and a time to count your blessings and name them one by one, and it will surprise what the Lord has done for you. Seye, you have so much to be thankful for in life. Even during the “storms” of life I am sure you made the correct decision to focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness. By being thankful to God you will be strengthened by his love, refreshed by His Word, and fully energized to press on in your journey of faith. Instead of focusing on the negative or instead of constantly focusing on anything and everything that is not going as you may have planned, I encourage you to choose to remember the good things God has done for you and your family, and celebrate. So, what kinds of things can you be thankful for today, Seye. Be thankful for God’s daily provision and good health. Be thankful for daily life. Be thankful for the love of your family and friends, and be thankful for The gifts of the Holy Spirit that has enabled you to be a faithful servant of the Lord over the years.

The Homily

So today I encourage you to take this message to heart and try it for yourself. You’ve heard the old phrase, “Count your blessings.” Well, it’s a great advice! And it’s Biblical! Take a few moments right now to thank God for His goodness, love and faithfulness. To all of us, we can celebrate our birthdays, and please don't leave here saying the priest doesn't want you to celebrate your birthday! I do want you to do that, but especially for the right reasons. We can celebrate our birthdays, and we should. But we should be celebrating something even more important than how many years old we are. We should be celebrating the years of Christian life God has given us. We should be celebrating what we have done with all those years God has given us. Seye, have you used those years wisely, or have you wasted them? Did you glorify God in all those years, or instead did you give yourself glory?

Seye, from your Book (Christianity and Anglicanism) and from our conversations about your devout Christian upbringing. I have no doubt that you have been a wise steward of the years God has given you so far. I have been very impressed with your contribution to your previous Parish as a chorister, Lay Minister, Acolyte and the strong faith you possess.

I am aware of your ambition to continue serving God and enhancing your faith even as you celebrate this milestone. My prayer for you is that may all your wishes be granted. May God continue to be your guide and protector in all you do. May you live long to see your children’s children.

Jesu, to thy table led

Conclusion

Do not be lagging in diligence, but be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; Keep Rejoicing in hope, and be patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; Please continue distributing to the needs of the saints and give to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Seye, repay no one evil with evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. Finally, If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. I congratulate you and may God Richly Bless you. Amen.