FAITH ..... OR ..... DIVORCE?
Dad became very wrathful as he did not see any sign of change in their faith even after confiscating almost everything they had. He thought profoundly as to what to do next to change them. He was not able to find any possible solution. At the same time he was also not able to wipe away shame done to him. Dad's mom and sisters were mad at mom and children. They thought that mom brought shame to Thangam's family which was well respected in the community. Dad's mom Mrs. Fathumuthu Beevi said to dad with indignation, "Your wife caused disgrace to you....not to mention she also spoiled your children. You are so patient.....still she hasn't changed her mind. If shoes don't fit your feet, would you cut off your leg? No!.....You just change shoes". His sisters agreed she was right. They thought about different means to put an end to this. At last dad came to conclusion. Now and then dad went to Vadugapatti, but didn't stay there for long. He acted according to his plan.
Mom got a registered letter from dad. When she opened the letter with suspicion she was shocked. Inside there were some divorce papers. It was written as if the divorce declaration was made by mom. The divorce declaration stated that since mom found new relationship with Christians, their relationship as husband and wife ceased to exist, and there is no right for property claimant to both wife and children, and that mom is not going to claim any livelihood allowance from dad. In a letter that accompanied the divorce paper, dad instructed mom to sign the paper immediately and return it to him. Mom understood that dad could not accept her as wife anymore. This horrifying realization came suddenly like a spear piercing her heart. She poured out her heart to the Lord, "Lord! My husband reached the point of casting away his own wife. Beloved Lord! You shed your blood for me on the cross of Calvary. You cried....Lord! Lord! why hasn't you forsaken me? You bore all those sufferings for my sake. You really care about us....please help me in this situation today". God heard her prayers. At this time children from college were at home for holidays. They were also disturbed. They thought over it for some days. One day Omar said, "Mom! For the sake of Jesus Christ, if it is necessary for us to separate from dad, then there is no choice but to sign the divorce papers and send it back to him". Mom said, "If it is God's will that we have to leave dad for His Name sake ...let it happen. For Jesus sake I am even ready to lose my husband. Only Jesus has given me the strength to bear this. But...only woman can understand what it means to lose her husband. This could be the greatest loss for a lady. The divorce paper declares that I am divorcing my husband..... which I won't do even if I should die. If he wants, let him divorce me. At this moment if we give up our faith in Jesus, your dad will happily accept us at once. We are in a crossroad to decide whether it is Jesus? ... or husband? I will choose Jesus; Bible says....a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me. He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that lose his life for my sake shall find it (Matthew 10: 36-39). We believe those words.....and we are going to loose our dad". Children agreed with mom. After taking that decision, they locked the papers in a locker without signing it. She didn't reply to dad. Other believers joined them in prayer. God heard their prayers. Dad didn't contact mom regarding this further. Mom remembered God's word, "Ask and it shall be given unto you: knock and it shall be opened unto you: seek and you shall find". Yes..He heard their prayers and stopped the misfortune that was about to engulf them.