MEMOIRS - 3 (VOICE OF THE WOMEN WHO CAUGHT IN ADULTERY) - WRITTEN BY MS. AYSHWARYA

One fine day, there heard usual knock at my door. When I opened, there stood a handsome man casting his longing eyes upon me. I know he has come to lie with me behind him I could see someone running in the street shouting at top of His voice saying, “Come all, Jesus was back again at the temple to teach us”.  At once I heed these words I felt urge to go temple to listen His teaching because I heard lot about Jesus oh, He is as a great prophet, the miracle worker, even some declare him as Messiah. But then my handsome was waiting for me so let me lie with him first later will hear from Jesus.

 After a while, there was terrific banging at my door, I was stunned to look at group of Pharisees and Scribes gather at my doorsteps. They caught us red handed in adultery but they dragged me alone to the street and made the man who lay with me to escape.  I thought according to Law of Moses, they were taking me out of the city and succumb to stone me.

But they ceaselessly dragging me towards the road which leads to temple and brought me through the midst of multitudes gather there and cast me down at the feet of someone. When I slowly lifted my head I saw Jesus the holy one of Israel before me. I was broken, ashamed and distraught that my secret act of sin has come to light and even common people of the city has come to know me as harlot.

On the other hand, Pharisees and Scribes pointed me and said to Jesus, “This woman was caught in the very act of adultery. The Law of Moses says to stone her, what do you say?”  I thought Jesus too will surely accuse me and this day is the day of my judgment and end of my life. But Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with the finger, Pharisees and Scribes kept demanding an answer to Jesus. So He stood up again and said “All right, stone her, but let those who have never sinned throw the first stone on her”. Then He stooped down again and wrote in the dust. On hearing that they all were being convicted by their conscience and left that place one by one beginning with oldest and even the last. Now, I know for sure there is none to stone except the unblemished Jesus Christ who is alone worthy to condemn me. He will surely pass final verdict on me. My terrible musings were interrupted by the sweet voice of Jesus. He politely asked me “Women, where are your accusers? Din’t even one of them condemns you?” with trembling voice I replied, “No, Lord”.

Jesus said to me, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more”. I was astonished by His graceful forgiveness towards me. I know I’m not worthy of it.  Compassionate Words of Jesus transformed my entire life forever. Earlier I thought I would die but this graceful second chance made me to realize my sin and to repent for it. I was never the same.  Holiness of Jesus made me holy from then I had a new beginning.

Even today, Jesus Christ will never condemn you for He loves you so much. Go to Him in prayer and you will never be the same. 

MEMOIRS - 2 (VOICE OF THE PRODIGAL SON) - WRITTEN BY MS. MELINDA CHARLET

Hi. I’m Dev. I have an elder brother Jonathan. I’m my Dad’s favourite. We lived a happy life together, until I messed up my life with my own decisions.

My Dad is rich in His love. He sacrificed many things for my joy. He has never let me down in front of others. Many a times I have done mistakes, but He has never rejected me. Even when I disobeyed Him, His love towards me was unchanging. He patiently corrects me and always forgives me for my shortcomings. He underwent many sufferings for my welfare. He offered me all that I desired. But, at one point I started comparing my life with that of my friends and felt I was too dependent on my Dad. Though I was happy with my present life, I wanted to be independent.

So, one fine day I went to my Dad and said “Father, divide your wealth and give my share”. My Dad out of His love for me gave of my share. The moment I received my share, I informed all my friends who were with me for so many years. We lived as friends and brothers all these years. They were so close to me. In fact, they meant everything to me.

Not many days after I received my share, we took our journey into a far country. There I lived a riotous and a wretched sinful life with my friends. I enjoyed all the pleasures of the world. I thought this is how my life should be. Initially everything went on well. Day by day as my money started reducing, the love and affection of my friends was different. I did not realise it till I enjoyed my life to the maximum.

There came one fine day, when all my money was spend. I did not have any money to even buy a ticket to return to my home town. When I sort the help of my friends, there was no one to help me. Everybody left me. I was all alone, feeling lonely and rejected at my heart. We were friends for many years. They were all with me when I had money. Once my money was spent, there was no one beside me. Still I can’t digest the fact that my friends cheated me. Their love towards me was just for the money that I had. I cried like a mad man that day, not knowing what to do. The face of my father kept on flashing my eyes. I can’t control my tears. All that I can do is just cry! Nothing else.

Now a big famine struck the country. I understood that I have to work for my living. I became a citizen of that country. I went in search for a job, here and there daily. But no one offered me a job. I had absolutely no money, no place to stay and no food at all. Several days passed, I have not eaten anything because of famine. Whenever I feel hungry, tears rolled down my eyes. I had absolutely nothing left.

Finally a man offered me a job. Do you know what that work was? It’s to feed his swine’s. Out of my hunger, I started eating ‘Husks’ which swine’s eat. Then I realised the love and care of my Father. I remembered the days, when my Dad came behind me feeding me the most delicious and favourite foods. Realising this I said, “Even the servants of my Father have enough food to eat, but I’m perishing here”. I took a decision to return to my Father. I felt bad for dishonouring Him in front of all my relatives. As I experienced the fake love of my friends, I understood the value of His true love. I was firm to return.

As I was travelling back home, I was thinking about my Dad. “What will I say to Him?”, “Will He be angry on me?”, ”Will He accept me?”.....all these question strikes my mind several times. I’m my Dad’s favourite, but to be frank right now I’m scared to face Him. While I was still far from my home, my Dad noticed that I was coming. It was quite a long distance, but my Dad started running towards me with compassion. I could not control my tears when I saw my Dad running towards me. My Dad has knee problem. He has never revealed me about his pain, because he wanted me to be happy always without worrying. I’ve even seen in secret how he struggles to walk with that pain. But today, with the same pain He is running towards me with love.

The moment He reached me, He flung his hands around my neck, hugged me and kissed me. Till that point I was feeling lonely, but from then on I never felt lonely. I said “I’m sorry Dad. I have sinned. I’m no longer worthy to be called your Son. Keep me as one of your hired servants”. But my Dad looked to one of his servants and said “Give my Son the best robe to wear, put a ring in his hands and shoes on his feet”. He ordered the fatted calf to be killed for the party.

That day was an unforgettable day in my life. I had a reunion with my family. My Dad gave me the best party ever. From then on, I had no lack for joy and peace in my life. I became a new person forever! I’m very happy today and I want your life to be happy as well. Are you feeling lonely today? Are you rejected by someone who is close to your heart?

 I have a question for you! If an Earthily Father could offer such a love, how much more will the Heavenly Father lavish His love upon His children?

Jesus is the Embodiment of Love. Only He can satisfy your heart with true love. Are you feeling guilty today, thinking about your past sins and present mistakes. I can understand your feelings very well, because I was like you. I suffered everything as a result of my wrong choices. But my dear friend, I don’t want you to suffer today. Come to Jesus-your Father. He has a big heart to forgive you and forget your sins and love you unconditionally. You are very special to Him. Your wretched life will be transformed. You can also become a new person like me if you trust Jesus. May you experience a change just like me!

Note:
GHG Team thank Ms. Melinda Charlet for taking up the responsibility to write this article.

MEMOIRS - 1 (VOICE OF THE LOST SHEEP) - WRITTEN BY MS. AYSHWARYA

“Kutti…., Kutti…” 

Do you hear that sweet voice calling my name? Yeah, He is calling me. 

Oh! I forgot to tell you who is He? He is none other than my loving shepherd and I’m His little lamb named as Kutti. I’m living in a beautiful farm as one flock. 

I was enjoying every moment with my beloved shepherd who is always with me. He never left me alone. My great shepherd is sole provider of all that I need ^[1]. He finds pasture with green grass for me to eat and make me to lie down for rest and ruminate. He led me to still waters ^[2]; He would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and waters me ^[3].Every day He will lead me out of fenced pen to different places for grazing, He goes before me to show the way and I used to follow Him for I know and recognize His voice ^[4]. 

He knows my feelings, my weakness, my desires, my fears and anxieties, He knows everything about me, He understands me very well than anyone else because He loved me with an everlasting love. He calls each one of us in our flock by our own name; He gathers me in His arm and carries me close to His heart ^[5]. 

Whenever my shepherd saw me approaching poisonous weeds or getting close to danger of one sort or other He uses rod and staff to correct me and comfort me by keeping me under His protection ^[6]. He would risk His own life to save me from any dangerous situation that I my selves got into.

Once, while we were grazing in an outfield, there came a furious lion to attack our flock. We all were startle and scared. My true shepherd didn’t flees away leaving us to guard His own life, rather He leapt in front of ferocious lion wrestling with it ceaselessly in order to protect us. As I was watching this terrible tussle I was even more agitated to see my Shepherd fighting against dreadful being by laying His own life for the sake of rescuing us.

After a prolonged struggle, He was able to slay it. When I looked at Him I could only see His blood bleeding all over His body. He was severely injured. Even in this state of death agony, He was mindful of us ^[7]. Because immediately after slaying the lion, He came running to us, looked us with great love and quickly counted us to check and make sure all was well with us. He cared for us, sustained us and rescued us ^[8].

Day and night, He watches over us. Every night He lay down near gate of pen to protect us from our enemies. He is my great defender and I’m under His constant vigilance. As long as I’m with my dear shepherd I know for sure that I’m safe and secure from all danger.

On one particular day, as usual I was following my shepherd who His leading our flock to a new place for grazing, suddenly I was attracted by something out in the wilderness away from flock. It was very appealing and tempts me not to pay attention to my shepherd’s voice. Being a stubborn creature, I failed to obey His voice and I started to move on my own way which seduced me. 

As I strayed away from right path and moving forward to path that lead to a dark, shadowy valley which I ever thought about, I aimlessly wandering on and on, without knowing that I’m lost my way. 

All of  Sudden, I fall into a pit covered by labyrinth of wild roses and brambles when I tried to come out of pit soon thorns were so hooked in my wool. I couldn’t pull free by myself Instead I caught in firmly. 

I have been tossing to and fro to set myself free but everything went in vain, only pain and hurt that remains. As all my escape attempts failed miserably great fear gripped my heart due to real danger of wolf, which shall spy me out or the lion or the bear shall spring upon me and I would be torn into pieces in an instant. This very thought made me so nervous and was greatly terrified as I was out of my comfort zone, I will be perished soon. 

I’m going on bleating piteously in pain and dying because of thirst and starvation. I’m all alone vocalizing in high pitch calling out someone to save me and get me out of this distress condition, but no one turned. As time passed by I could hear a weir noises made me agonize. Oh, there is absolutely no one to rescue me from this pitiful, perilous and pathetic condition. I understood that I shouldn’t have left my defender because I’m utterly defenseless, hopeless, helpless and presently in great danger of cruel death. I thought that’s it… It’s the last night of my life. 

Although, I realized the fact that if at all I would have obeyed my shepherd’s voice, right now I too would have been stayed safely in my shepherd’s arms as other flocks are, but nothing can be done now.

A while later, I could hear mild foot step from a long distance which is very familiar and I recognized that it’s my shepherd’s foot step, my joy over bounds.

As He was nearing me I could hear my shepherd keeps calling me by my name and searching for me: “Kutti Where are you? , Do you hear me? , where are you?”. 

As I heard His sour voice, I could understand that He was calling me persistently for long time that’s why His sweet voice has become too sour. I hurried to respond to Him; merely I couldn’t raise my voice since I was totally exhausted. But still my heart is desperate for Him to find me and even He strikes me violently with His staff I’m not going to bother because I really deserve it.

Suddenly a shadow fall on me I lifted my head, It’s my shepherd and utter shock to see His ruddy and radiant face ^[9] turned into dark and dull. I astonished to see a drastic change in His appearance that He used to be charming but now because of me, He was too traumatized, weak and worn-out completely. As soon as He found me, He stretched out His hand and used His staff to rescue me by clipping away the bush and gently snipping away my wool.

He used that same staff to set me free from my entanglement. He lifted me gently and hugged me tightly to His bosom; I felt how much He missed me? At that very moment I thought how precious and special am I to my shepherd. Even Though I refused to listens His voice and ignored His direction still He didn’t give up looking for me. He left all other healthy good sheep and came thus far for me. I know I’m not at all worthy of His love; this thought brought uncontrollable tears which started to roll down my cheeks. He gently wiped away my tears and carried me upon His shoulder ^[10]. 

Will it be fair if I ever leave this loving shepherd anymore??

Note:
GHG Team thank Ms. Ayshwarya for taking up the responsibility to write this article.

Biblical References: 

[1]Psalm 23:1, [2] Psalm 23: 2, [3] Genesis 29:3, [4] John 10:3, [5] Isaiah40:11, [6] Pslam23:4, [7]Psalm 8:4, [8] Isaiah 46:4, [9] Song of Solomon 5:10, [10] Luke 15:5.

This article is written based on Luke 15:1-7 and Matthew 18:10-14.

COMING SOON - MEMOIRS (VOICES OF BIBLICAL CHARACTERS)