(Based on a true story)
As soon as her eyes were captivated by the light of the world and her mother so gently embraced her, she felt and learned how to love. Savannah Rose was beautiful, with a future blooming with promises. She grew up in the church, and as the years went by, her understanding of who God was and her fear of Him increased. It was settled in her heart that God had a plan for her life from the tender age of nine, but her mind could not, at such a tender age, embrace the idea of an evil force seeking to kill, steal, and destroy her. Savannah, outspoken, kind, and intelligent, possessed the character and true spirit of Love. She cared for those around her and was always swift to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, even the homeless. Little did she know she was about to encounter sorrows just as Jesus, her Saviour, did, but it would be to the glory of God.
One day, Savannah’s mother sent her to her uncle’s house to get some peppers for the Christmas dinner. With her kind heart, she found no excuse or issue and hurriedly walked to accomplish her errand.
Her uncle was surprised as she greeted him. “Wow, you’ve grown so much. Come here!” He exclaimed, pulling her closer and starting to touch her hair.
There was no issue with embracing her uncle until…his hands touched her bottom. She pulled away, but he pulled her back towards him and threatened to kill her family if she ever said anything. He then proceeded to sexually assault her. At the end of this horrific experience, Savannah ran back home, crying, hoping to stay away from him as long as she lived. Unfortunately, the incident reoccurred, and Savannah developed a sexually transmitted infection.
BITTERNESS GREW LIKE THORNS
She began to question God and tried praying, but that did not seem to work. In anger, she turned away from God, and her love for Him ceased. This changed her entire character; bitterness grew like thorns, completely trapping her in a torturous grip of hatred. Savannah chose not to pray or sing at church anymore, as she could not fathom the reason for such a trial. “I’ve been so kind to everyone. Why me?” she thought. Her grades suffered, and her family didn’t understand. No one did! Many nights, she cried herself to sleep.
The devil had won. Well…so he thought!
After a while, Savannah met a friend at school who suddenly broke down in tears after borrowing a sharpener from her. She thought her new friend was crying because she had failed a test. However, her tears turned out to be far more than imagined. Her friend poured out her heart, telling her that she had been raped. Savannah wrestled with her tear ducts as she tried not to cry. She didn’t trust anyone enough to share her own experience, but she lent comfort to her new friend. Their relationship grew, and several years passed, but Savannah still needed to deal with her hidden pain.
THE LEVEE BROKE
One fateful day, the levee broke, and she finally cried out to God about it. This was the key that set her free to release her past and embrace her future. She matured, grew to love again (just as God loved her), and even began a support group for her school.
The story of Savannah depicts the silent cries of many who have been abused and are afraid to speak about their tragedies. However, the ultimate aim is to glorify the Solver of her problem, God. Savannah had to learn that, despite challenges and pain, she needed to get past her past, and only God could make that possible. She had to receive His help to yield her mind and forgive her uncle.
Receiving God’s forgiveness requires that we too forgive those who wrong us. This is a critical principle laid out in the LORD’’s Prayer (Matt 6:12). Savannah was hurt, but by the grace of God, she was determined to move forward with strength, resilience, and a pure heart.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, Rev.12:11a (KJV)
May her story reach you if you are hurting in despair. We encourage you to hold fast to your identity in God and immerse yourself in the boundless hope of having the life of Jesus Christ, which overcomes all!
Markeish Francis is a member of Passion and Purity, a school-based Christian ministry. This story is an excerpt from their book, Love is the More Excellent Way. Contact freedomcomerain@gmail.com