I took my last son to the visa application centre at Ikeja, Lagos to retrieve his passport in the early hours of Friday August 11, 2023. While he was at that, I decided to make the most of my time by visiting a branch of Zenith Bank nearby. I had with me an envelope, supposedly containing a cheque that I wanted to lodge in. I had entered the bank, ready to fill the teller when I realized that instead of picking up the envelope with the cheque, I took another containing a ‘thank you’ note that my wife had dropped for me after our return from the United States of America. Later that day, I boarded a flight to Port Harcourt. I was allotted seat 19A and that gave me a clear view of the drama that ensued. A gentleman sat on 18A, presuming that was his seat. He was soon dislodged when the authentic allottee arrived. His seat was 17B which incidentally someone else had occupied.

The mix-up in all these stories is traceable to one thing – failure to pay attention to details. None of these events were life-threatening; they were minor issues that were resolved costing only a little extra time and stress. However, inattention to details in some situations can be life-threatening. Not many people find the books of Numbers and Leviticus easy to read because of so many details and procedures they contain. Yet, they show how meticulous God is. He leaves nothing to chance. Walking with God requires attention to detail. Besides, a life of excellence is impossible without taking care of minute details. Little things do sometimes make a huge difference.