It would have been a beautiful Thursday morning for the pastor if he didn't have a lot on his plate. Like the day before, driving and thinking were his agenda.
There was an exciting coolness in the atmosphere, and all the streetlights and wired lights of companies added to the beauty of the city. The pastor enjoyed the breeze that blew into the car through his wound down window. He had always loved the wonders of nature, and for a moment he forgot all about his worries.
As he drove aimlessly, he thought things through. These last days of his life would have been used by him to spend quality time with his family and make final decisions that would foster the growth of the church even after his demise. He had always had the conviction that whenever death came knocking, he'd open up with a smile of triumph at least he had this conviction until the accuser came. Now, hell seemed surer than Heaven.
He switched on his car radio and turned the tuning knob for few seconds and caught a channel. He increased the volume and listened to the song from the channel. It was one of his favourite hymns and so he sang along;
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"
"Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art..."
Then the song was stopped for the anchor of the ongoing programme to continue what he must have been saying.
"God loves a cheerful giver. Give without grumbling, give and don't boast about it, give and the good Lord shall bless you..."
The presenter's voice got the pastor thinking. He realized it had been long he did something charitable. He had been too busy with the church of God that he had forgotten that charity was one of the things the Almighty adores – or so he thought. Yes, this was what he was going to do that morning. If he was going to die in about four days' time, he could as well distribute his personal savings to the poor. Who knows, the neglect of his charitable obligations could be the stain on his garment. There was already enough money to run the family in the joint account he and Chichi operated, and besides, Chichi had a well-paying job so giving up all of his money wouldn't hurt.
As the presenter announced the conclusion of the daily programme, Brown Ade took a U-turn and headed for the bank he favoured. He checked his wristwatch, it was 7:15 am. He wouldn't mind being the first customer at the gate and he sure wouldn't mind waiting till the opening time. He just hoped that the abrupt stop in his charitable deeds was the one sin he had been accused of.