Freedom to Choose
My mom had a rigidity about her. She made it seem punishable to even dream of marrying the one I love. She never mentioned marriage. To her it was about the culture and its ways. But I had something different in mind. I embraced the freedom of marrying a man of God as a little girl. The freedom of marrying someone according to God's will and being happy about it. I knew she was aware of my deepest most desire of pursuing this dream of marriage as a young girl but deeemed it as rebellious, shameful, and illogical. But God still made a way for me to secretly and openly rebel against a cultural that idolized arranged marriages. And when I left home, it was evident that I married for love, and not for the culture and I chose life over death. To accept this grace was like a freedom that I know was envied by many of my acquaintances. But when God writes my story, He makes me to be a Princess - His Princess.
Me being happy in my marriage became what appeared to be an unimaginable defiance to everything my mom believed. She saw marriage as an end to life. But I saw it as the beginning of my Testimony. I had only started living and it began with Christ picking me up from home to be His disciple - as I picked up my cross to follow Him.
Once I got to Michigan, there was a text from my younger sister on my husband's phone. "Hey. I know my sister is with you . . ." Once I reassured her that I was safe and okay, she said how I owed my parents at least a phone call despite me leaving my letter for them on my bed. My husband comforted me with Romans 13:8: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Not soon after, the police called to check in on me telling me how my parents tried to file me as a missing person but because I'm an adult and they know it was my decision to leave and that they didn't file me as missing. A few months later the police spoke with my husband saying they would possibly do a safety check on me and I spoke to them over the phone confirming my safety, something I never truly felt was confirmed growing up.
It were times like these when I needed a reminder of where I'm headed and so I pulled out my Human Development Journal from 10th grade in which a Christian teacher had planted seeds of grace all throughout it, knowing I'd come to Christ one day. It comforted me in seasons where my past tried to chase after me and I was still running, fighting, believing, hoping - needing strength and resilience to push forward. I opened the pink wide ruled notebook from Period 6: Human Development, flipping to the very last page.
06/2012
Eve -
You have made quite the impression on my heart this year. Your journal has provided so much encouragement – knowing that you are getting the purpose has kept me going when so many circumstances in class were frustrating. I do want you to speak up more as you continue to grow. You will learn to become comfortable doing it – because truth is freeing. Jesus said – knowing the truth sets you free . . . and I believe you are called to help set people free by speaking the truth. No – not everyone will listen – but you don’t know the impact it will have – or what seed will be planted . . . Most of God’s prophets were treated badly or ignored – but they couldn’t cease to speak the message God had put in them – it burned inside their soul until they spoke it (Psalm 116). May truth burn inside of you until you speak it when and where God has called you to!
Thank you times a thousand for being transparent and honest and real and so beautiful with me through this “philosophical yearbook” of yours . . . and the brilliant essays you have written this year. Shine your light BRIGHT – and make an “impression” everywhere you go.
Love you!
Mrs. Allison
I reminded myself once again, "This is only the beginning . . . " and took the very first step in my recovery journey, a step that took courage to do what was right for me regardless of what anyone else thought about my decision to cut ties with my Hindu family and start a new life as a Christian. For the very first time, I did what I felt was liberating - I lived for what I believed in.
Joshua 24:14-15 KJV
[14] Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. [15] And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Prayer: God, please help me to always choose to do Your will, even when it means to cut ties with family in Jesus name Amen.
Me being happy in my marriage became what appeared to be an unimaginable defiance to everything my mom believed. She saw marriage as an end to life. But I saw it as the beginning of my Testimony. I had only started living and it began with Christ picking me up from home to be His disciple - as I picked up my cross to follow Him.
Once I got to Michigan, there was a text from my younger sister on my husband's phone. "Hey. I know my sister is with you . . ." Once I reassured her that I was safe and okay, she said how I owed my parents at least a phone call despite me leaving my letter for them on my bed. My husband comforted me with Romans 13:8: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Not soon after, the police called to check in on me telling me how my parents tried to file me as a missing person but because I'm an adult and they know it was my decision to leave and that they didn't file me as missing. A few months later the police spoke with my husband saying they would possibly do a safety check on me and I spoke to them over the phone confirming my safety, something I never truly felt was confirmed growing up.
It were times like these when I needed a reminder of where I'm headed and so I pulled out my Human Development Journal from 10th grade in which a Christian teacher had planted seeds of grace all throughout it, knowing I'd come to Christ one day. It comforted me in seasons where my past tried to chase after me and I was still running, fighting, believing, hoping - needing strength and resilience to push forward. I opened the pink wide ruled notebook from Period 6: Human Development, flipping to the very last page.
06/2012
Eve -
You have made quite the impression on my heart this year. Your journal has provided so much encouragement – knowing that you are getting the purpose has kept me going when so many circumstances in class were frustrating. I do want you to speak up more as you continue to grow. You will learn to become comfortable doing it – because truth is freeing. Jesus said – knowing the truth sets you free . . . and I believe you are called to help set people free by speaking the truth. No – not everyone will listen – but you don’t know the impact it will have – or what seed will be planted . . . Most of God’s prophets were treated badly or ignored – but they couldn’t cease to speak the message God had put in them – it burned inside their soul until they spoke it (Psalm 116). May truth burn inside of you until you speak it when and where God has called you to!
Thank you times a thousand for being transparent and honest and real and so beautiful with me through this “philosophical yearbook” of yours . . . and the brilliant essays you have written this year. Shine your light BRIGHT – and make an “impression” everywhere you go.
Love you!
Mrs. Allison
I reminded myself once again, "This is only the beginning . . . " and took the very first step in my recovery journey, a step that took courage to do what was right for me regardless of what anyone else thought about my decision to cut ties with my Hindu family and start a new life as a Christian. For the very first time, I did what I felt was liberating - I lived for what I believed in.
Joshua 24:14-15 KJV
[14] Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. [15] And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Prayer: God, please help me to always choose to do Your will, even when it means to cut ties with family in Jesus name Amen.
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