Happy Birthday Ryta

The screen of the computer monitor served as a mirror that helped me peer deep into your face to admire the lady you have grown into. I had to stop to smile richly at you. You are a year older today Ryta. Look at you; you have grown in wisdom, in stature (not sure you’ve grown in stature the last five years), in favour with God and with man.

Twenty…years ago, you were born. I celebrate your mum Ryta; her hands were strong to have brought you up in the ways of God. She reminds me of the proverbs 31 woman. I celebrate your dad also. He helped you discover your interest even before you knew yourself and created the right environment that shaped your career. He never spared you those subtle challenges that nudged you to keep @ it!  I am really glad mum and dad never spared the rod on you.

Your elder sisters (Grace, Mercy, Gladys and Patricia) shaped you immensely into the lady you have grown into. They were indeed role models you looked up to as a girl and even till today. Grace the eldest sister especially did a great job in drilling into you the virtues that can never depart from you. Great job Grace! (Junior mummy).

I’m really happy for you for the right contacts you made when you got into the University; the GPC family. They stood as ladders; they made you know that it is possible to be fashionable, classy, smart, and pretty and still have God.  They really help smoothen the rough edges in you Ryta.

The journey of life has not particularly been a rosy one. Looking at you through the screen of the monitor, I remember moments those moments you you’ve cried out to God in frustration, “Hey God! Are you there? Can you hear me? If you can hear me, talk back at me.” Those tough moments strengthened you; they wove the rich tapestry that makes you Ryta.

Do you know something I have discovered? I found out that at best, you are a mess but God has been faithful to you. You know how many times you have slipped and you thought God was going to give up you? Amazingly, those were the time He held you even tighter in His bosom. How His love humbles you and makes you cry like a baby (wiping a tear). How you’ve enjoyed divine health you cannot pay for; favour you do not deserve.

I will not fail to celebrate your slice from heaven (Biodun). I know you never really had the nerve to ask God for a someone like him; guilt from experiences of past made it too much to ask  for, but trust God, He always reserve his best prince for even the most miscreant daughter, probably to make the statement clear “I Love you; I died for you”. I see the way you two look into each other’s eyes, and I know you could not have asked God for anyone better. Never seen you melt like a jelly until he tagged along (smile).

Happy birthday Ryta, I am proud of the girl you were, the lady you are and the woman you are growing into. Special thanks to all the people that have somewhere somehow added a brick into your life. Special thanks to all of you and especially to you reading this message right now.

Ryta, I told God this morning to keep you strong, to make your dimples always have a cause to dimple, to always tease your lips and tickle your checks to keep smiling. To give you a deeper revelation of the knowledge of Him, to help you not to just mark numbers but sustainable relevance and purpose, and to keep you fashionable in His style.

Happy birthday girl; Have all the fun you can afford.

I love you to shreds Ryta!

Happy birthday.

Ryta.