Tribute to my Dad who passed on to glory in June, 2008 (29th March 1924 - 5th June 2008)

Daddy, none of us your children would be where we are today without you and Mummy. You did your best. When I spoke with you on the phone that Wednesday afternoon, June 4, and you told me you were alright, little did I know that God would call your name on Thursday morning and you would be taken away from us. In life we loved you dearly, and even now, we do the same.

But you know what, I still think and wish that God could have spared you, even if just for a few more years. We love you and miss you. I am so glad you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior on that day in April 2008, in your room, and now you are in heaven. I remember those songs you were singing which Pastor Adebisi taught you and Mummy. I remember how you sang them quietly on your bed. I remember the song we were singing together when we shared the Holy Communion – “Mo ti gba ara Oluwa, jeki o mo mi ninu o, l’ojo ti ipe ba dun o, jeki ilekun si fun mi.”

Daddy, are you really gone? I can’t hear you sing those songs again? I almost can’t believe this!

Oh – wait a minute! I’m getting a message in my spirit. And listening carefully, I can hear you saying

I am now in heaven, everyone. I am safely home at last. Oh, the beauty of the place, the glory of the light! There is perfect joy and peace. There is beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and troubles are over, every restless tossing passed. I no longer need Ayo to lift me up from the bed again. I am now at peace forever. Do some of you wonder how I so calmly walked and got to heaven? Oh! But Jesus' love illumined every dark and fearful way. And He came Himself to meet me in that way so hard to tread. And with Jesus' arm to lean on, I could have no doubt or dread. And so, you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still. Try to look beyond the past and earth's shadows, all of you. Pray and trust God’s will for me, my work on earth has ended, I have finished my race. There is work still waiting for you though, so you must not idly stand, weeping. Do it now, while life remains and you still have breath. You will rest and reign with Jesus when that work is all completed. He will gently call you home. Oh, the rapture of that meeting, oh, the joy to see you come! I have to stop here though. I have so many things to see and do. But tell the others, you mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears, but be thankful we had so many good years together. Oh before I forget, Vic my wife, I gave you my love as much as I could, and you can only guess how much you gave me in happiness even though we had our own fair share of marital challenges but we stayed together. I thank you and the children for trying your best, for taking good care of me. I also thank my nieces and nephews, tenants and neighbors who were assisting my wife to take care of me. And I thank everyone who has come to comfort my family and to give me a befitting burial. I thank you all for the love that you have shown by crying and weeping. Grieve for me a while, if you must grieve. Then, let your grief be comforted by trust in God, knowing that the separation is only for a while. Treasure my memories within your heart, but life goes on.

(by – Pastor Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi)

	F is for being a faithful husband to his wife for the 58 years they lived together!
	A is for all that he achieved in life.
	This is one of the many things.
	T is for all that he did for my children.
	H is for his caring heart for children.
	E is for giving all his children a sound education!
	R is for being a responsible husband and father!
	The letters spell my FATHER! (My picture with Daddy in March at his 84th birthday ceremony at Mushin)

E-mail: pastor@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org or info@taiwoodubiyiministries.com

Nig: 234-8023000773, 234-8023299502, 234-8058040949, 234-7028776177, 2341-8741229, 2341-8120715.