This is the story of a 17 year old girl who is my latest addition to VoicesAwake. I share these stories because, a lot of times as people we forget to be thankful for the places we are in, and what God is doing to us, in us or through us. A lot of times we do not remember there are other people who are really less fortunate than we are. Sometimes we magnify our struggles which would not really kill us, or could be easily sorted by maybe a little patience and trust in "Be still, and know that I am God". And sometimes we forget to reach out and touch with the little that God has blessed us with. We are blessed to bless. I share these stories because, am a girl such as these, i have been affected, and been touched, am being healed, and i want you to know sometimes what we show outside, is not really a reflection of the struggle inside, we are just trying to blend in.
TELLINA
Story
of my life,
He
died first-my father
My
mother followed
Leaving
me and my brothers
They
left me well covered,
Just
never knew how they did it,
But
it’s all gone, am left being scorched in the sun
Now
my brother’s keeper,
Though
older than I am,
They
have turned me into a mother,
Or
maybe less, because with every mistake I make,
I
get a beating like the abused wife,
Yes!
Not a mother, but the unwanted wife.
Last
night he came,
Smelling,
the foul stench of alcohol,
Kachaso-The
locally brewed one, the one that kills,
Knock,
knock, knock,
“Open
the door fool,”
You know how it sounds,
Or
rather, how the words come out, the drunk words,
“Where
is my food?” He asked
“But
you didn’t leave me with any money to buy food,”
Sleepy
but teary eyed I answered.
Slap,
Kick---- “you are stupid”
Again
am down on my knees, crying for mercy as I get the beating,
“I..i..i…i
a m sorry.” amidst sobs my apology comes out.
I
want to follow mama, that’s my thought.,
My
life now
No
school fees equals no school for me.
My
new fate is marriage.
I know though, if my brothers do this,
Then
my husband will do more.
I
don’t want to go.
Knock
Knock,
Lord,
please, not today again,
Prayer
answered indeed, not today but it’s worse,
My
other brother is no more.
Really
Lord?
Now
it’s me and him, the one who cares less,
The
one who is prone to killing me any minute now.
My
life now.
I
have gotten used to tears,
With
no radio in here, my familiar sounds are my sobs,
I
want out, but am surrounded by darkness,
Somebody
hear my sobs, and get me out.
 |
| Tellina Paul (17) |
I share these stories, to show the brokenness that Jesus is mending. The sicknesses that Jesus is healing. The slaves who Jesus is Freeing and most importantly, the calling which He has placed on us to be His hands and feet in this restoration work. What is your calling?
