A direct hit by a passenger bus later and the van with a variety of fruits lay in bad shape separated from its wares as bodies littered the road and sidewalk. It looked hopeless even for the surviving. Residents of the sleepy community immediately became rescue workers battling to extricate the driver of the mangled bus. The traders paid to be transported home but rather found themselves on a journey to eternity on a note of tears and blood.

 “For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.” – Ecclesiastes 9:12 (KJV)

  Be thankful to the One who gets you home safely daily.

Let the Son shine in your heart daily.

 By, Nosa Owens-Ibie,

He was his encouraging self on this call, reminding me of the need to complete a project which he committed his time to its completion though he had no house of his own. His only desire was for a short holiday in the following two months. That was not to be as he succumbed to a night heart attack. Although he mentored many, this pastor died without having his own child.

 “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” – Mathew 6: 34 (KJV)

 Hmmmmmm.

Let the Son shine in your heart daily.

By, Nosa Owens-Ibie

He had gone to sympathize with the family of one who died while on a condolence visit to another family. But he never made it back as he hurried home that night to care for another relation in dire strait. The journey ended in a crash.

 “…how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” – Romans 11: 33 (KJV)

 Is there something you just cannot understand?

Let the Son shine in your heart daily.

By, Nosa Owens-Ibie

Some called him “Exide” – also the name of a heavy duty battery range, in acknowledgement of his spark and vigour. Even the heady ones knew where to draw the line. He worked hard and was just peculiar. But on this day, he was quiet, untouched by the buzz around. He was never going to be moved, nor anymore rankled by the currents within and without. It was his lying-in-state.

“As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.” Job 14: 11-12 (KJV)

 Many tough ones are gone.

Let the Son shine in your heart daily.

By, Nosa Owens-Ibie

One photograph had him in a designer suit, while he was in his national service uniform in the other. But this poster in Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State, Nigeria, told of a 33-year old who was “gone too soon”  in a community with those stooped by age and probably wishing they replaced those who left early.

 “Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.”  Job 14: 5 (KJV)

Only God understands.

Let the Son shine in your heart daily.

By, Nosa Owens-Ibie