“We were brought into existence because we were needed.”- Ellen White
(Enter Mary and Phil, a couple living with their 5 sons, a few chickens, a fluffy Cat, 2 Manchester Terrier dogs and a well kept garden. Mary is in her mid-thirties and Phil in his mid 40s.)
Phil: Are you pregnant again?
Mary: (perplexed at her husband’s reaction, especially after miscarrying a 5 months pregnancy a year ago)
Phil: Aren’t the 5 sons enough? We don’t even have enough land for them. I don’t know what you’ll do with that pregnancy; unless you have the means to raise an extra child.
(Mary feels disappointed that her family planning method failed. She’s confused but she wants to keep the child. She decides to visit her mentor Rachel to share the burden with her.)
{Enter Rachel}
Mary: Is anyone here? Oh, Mom Rachel! How are you doing?
Rachel: (Responds from her farm as she wipes off soil on her wrap skirt. Elated to see Mary) Mary! Is that you? What a pleasant surprise, welcome! I was weeding my garden. I don’t want my crops to get choked like last season. Welcome, welcome, have a seat. Don’t mind the mess, you know how children can be sometimes. I’ll clear it up soon.
Mary: Thanks ma’, I appreciate your kindness.
Rachel: Let me get you some porridge. I’ll also get a chance to rest a bit, you know how life on the farm can be, hehe.
Mary: (smiles and appreciates Rachel’s kindness. She hopes to get a solution for her burden.)
Rachel: (returns with 2 mugs of fermented porridge.) Here, have this. And your skin is glowing nowadays; it seems like The LORD has been shining His face on you lately.
Mary: (Laughs a little.) The LORD has favoured me. I am expecting a child but Phil is disappointed with it.
Rachel: Wow! Hallelujah! The LORD has remembered you. You know what? This pregnancy is special. You will face difficulties with it, but keep the baby. Mary, I have a feeling that you are carrying a baby girl. And she will be named after me. God will use her to bring a smile on your face. Thank you LORD for remembering your daughter, thank you Jehovah!
Mary: (Begins sobbing.) But I don’t know how I’ll endure it, if only there was a better way…
Rachel: (Hugs Mary.) I know it may not be easy, but God will fight for you and I will live to see the birth of ‘Njeri’. The child in your womb will be called Faith Njeri.
Mary: Thank you ma’ you have encouraged me, I’m inspired to keep the baby. I thank God for speaking through you. I can’t wait to hold ‘Njeri’ in my arms.
They prayed together and Mary left feeling rejuvenated, inspired and motivated to see the birth of ‘Njeri’. For the next few months, Rachel served Mary with nutritious foods, prayers and wise counsel. Mary was active through her pregnancy, she never missed any choir practice.
Rachel and a few other women supported her through the pregnancy and on the 22nd day of September, 1991 at 3.00am, Mary and Phil welcomed a beautiful 4.5kg baby girl. Phil was filled with joy! The whole family celebrated the birth of Njeri. The boys were happy to have a baby sister, they loved and protected her. The church community rejoiced with the family, the birth of Njeri brought joy to the family.
God had a special purpose for Njeri, and Satan knew this well. He knew that she would be taught in the ways of the LORD and would turn the world upside down with God’s truth. So, he began derailing her path from childhood. He caused her parents to be burdened with the cares of this world and be unavailable. He used some men to violate her sexually at 5, 10, 12 and in her early 20s. He made her path difficult and made her believe that ending her life would end her suffering. He served her with shame every day; he worked well to discourage her from seeing God’s goodness and made her believe that she was useless and crazy.
God watched Satan do all these, and when the time was ripe, He sent in people to hold Njeri’s hand, to speak life to her, to affirm her of her identity in Christ. They provided safe spaces for her vulnerability. Her brothers showed her love, and soon she began finding meaning in life. God enabled her to pick the broken pieces in her life and used His grace to glue them together.
The rays of His light began penetrating through the cracks of her life, Christ continued mining virtues in the quarry of her heart and soon she found courage to hold her light with her shaky hands. She has trusted God’s word to be a lamp unto her feet and with every step she makes, she’s clearing the path for others to follow as she follows Jesus.
Mary had faith that she would have a baby girl and she did. Her daughter was called Faith Christine Njeri. That’s me!
Every time someone calls my name, I’m reminded that I was brought into existence for a special purpose. Every time my birthday approaches, I reflect on God’s goodness in my life. The experiences which Satan perpetrated to ruin my life, God is drawing lessons from them, that I may reveal His goodness to you and many others. This is why I celebrate my birthday.
I don’t know the events in your past, I don’t know why you avoid your birthday. Would you believe me if I told you that none of those events broke you? That you have the power to celebrate your existence, victories and courage to choose life. Now, pause and say thank you for the breath you just took in. God values you. You are not a mistake. Your past does not define you. Honour your story and embrace each moment of your life.
Thank you for being part of my journey.
Love
Faith Gor
Faith is a Children’s Content Creator at Learn & Grow enterprises, Storyteller and Mental Health Advocate. She tells her story to offer hope, help and healing to survivors of sexual trauma.