Oyin

Oyin will be 5 years in May, at the checkout stand, she saw a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. Mum please can I have them?  Mum quickly checked the tag and looked into her pleading eyes. N399! If you really want them, I will think of some extra chores for you so you can save enough to buy them for yourself. As soon as she got home she checked her savings box, N205! After dinner she did more than her share of the chores and so began a month long effort to complete the price. On her birthday,  Uncle TJ and Dad each gave her N100 and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace. Oyin loved the pearls. They made her feel dressed up. She wore them to everywhere; school, church even to bed. 

Oyin has a very loving Dad and every night at bedtime he would read her a story. One night he finished the story and asked Oyin, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, Dad. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls. Oh Dad, not my pearls but you can have my baby doll, the lovely pink one. That's ok, honey, Daddy loves you. Good night. About a week later after story time, Dad asked again, Do you love me? Dad you know that I love you. Then give me your pearls. Oh Dad, not my pearls but you can have my blue gown and the matching purse. That's ok, sleep well, Dad loves you.

A few nights later when Dad came in, Oyin was sitting in bed, he noticed she was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. What is it Oyin, what's the matter? With a little quiver she lifted her little hand up to her Dad. And when she opened it there was her little pearl necklace,  Here, Dad, it's for you. 

With tears in his eyes, Dad reached out and took the cheap necklace,  and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave it to Oyin. He had it all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the cheap stuff so he could give her genuine treasure. Your heavenly father is asking you too, Do you love me?