Unshackled by Vinita Shaw, Chapter 24

I woke up to the smell of incense burning. It was rose incense today. My father was a temple Priest and it was his practice to perform rituals every morning in our home before he left for his temple duties. I was the youngest in the family. All other siblings were married and had moved out.  

A cool breeze blew in through my room’s window beckoning the onset of monsoons. I gazed out and saw the leaves from the top of the banyan tree in our courtyard dancing as if inviting me to come out and play with my friends. I jumped out of my bed. Today was a Sunday and my friends and I had made a plan to visit the nearby town to do some shopping. We used to walk. All of us, in a group. Sometimes, we would cycle.

We lived in a beautiful town on the banks of a river. I was very happy and content with my life. We had plenty. My mother rarely cooked as people used to bring food to our home. We could not afford the luxuries our neighbours could, nevertheless, we had a variety of cooked meals that were brought to my father to be blessed before setting before the idols.

My father was a big advocate of girls’ education. Every day I used to walk down to my school with my childhood friends. Long pigtails tied with bright red ribbons and heavy school bags were the hallmark of our group. Since we belonged to the same neighbourhood, we had long conversations along the way.

We also liked to listen to the radio a lot. A couple of us had the new phone on which radio broadcasts could be heard. We listened to film music, news and had long discussions as we walked and talked for miles.

One day, one of my school friends heard a broadcast called Disha.  “They talk about women's issues and encourage all girls to get an education and become financially independent,” she said, encouraging us to listen to it too.

Peer pressure caused me to listen to the weekly broadcast. We used to listen and discuss every week. We heard interviews of girls and women who had suffered tragedies and had risen from misery towards a hope-filled life. Many were school girls like us. It was fun.

This became a ritual for us; to discuss the subject of the Disha radio program. One day, one of my friends told us that the people who speak on Disha also speak on a morning devotional program. We began to listen to that broadcast  too. I liked it very much. It had a very soothing scripture reading accompanied by songs which I loved to hear. Soon, we as a group began to memorise and sing those songs. One day, one of my friends called up and asked for a Bible. We knew Bible is a Holy Book and talks about God.

I personally began to grow in my faith in Jesus. Time passed and nobody in my family knew about my love for Jesus. We already worshipped many gods and goddesses, so having another one was not an issue. I had been taught to show respect towards all religions. What I did not realise was that as I listened regularly to the words of Jesus, I began to love Him deeply.

One day, a family came to visit us. There was nothing unusual about it except for the fact that my mother made me wear a sari and carry a tea tray for the visitors. I was suspicious because almost all the girls of my age had got married or were getting married.

I was angry. I stamped my feet and made my displeasure evident after the guests had left. “You know I want to go to college and earn a living. Why will you not permit me to study?”

However, my father would not give in. He was adamant. I called up the radio  counselor and cried my heart out. I loved Jesus and would not marry a person from another faith. Yes, there was little I could do. The  counselor encouraged me to pray even as their team prayed for me.

In due course of time amidst all the glitter, rituals and lectures from my parents on how I should not get influenced by everything I hear on radio, I was married off.

What I felt was of no consequence. What I wanted to do with my life and dreams was a non-issue. My mother’s last words to me were, “Now you have to manage your married life. Your husband’s home is your home. Be good.”

Husband. A stranger I had been tied to for life. I could not believe this. All my dreams were shattered. I could see my life coming to an end.

With great trepidation, I met my husband on the wedding night. Seeing me shaking like a leaf, he tried to make me feel comfortable. I was very hesitant but he, being older than me , assuaged all my fears when he talked about my education. “Would you like to study further?” he asked.

Slowly, he got me talking. As the hours of our first night together passed, I began to relax in his presence and took a good look at him. He looked kind. Gathering all my guts, I said to him, “I do not wish to hide anything from you. I have been listening to some radio programs and through one of them I have found Jesus. I trust in Him.”

“What?” he exclaimed. Scared, I looked at him as he laughed and folded his hands, saying, “I too am a follower of Jesus.” 

Both of us had been secret Christians but our families did not know. This was such  a God moment. I wept and together we knelt down beside our marital bed to thank God for bringing us together.

We are happily married and have moved out of our joint family home and told every one about our change of faith. We face persecution but are standing strong. We share about your radio broadcast with our neighbours in this area.

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