…but no one knew that she had cried all her tears long ago.
After they got married, everything seemed fine on the surface. Soon, Marko was born, and Jasmina thought that she was finally living the life she had always dreamed of. But as time went by, something began to change. What had started as an occasional drink to relax, became a daily habit for Zoran. Evening outings with his friends became routine, and little by little, the smiles turned into arguments.
The neighbour from the second floor knew about the fights and arguments because Jasmina would tell her about them over coffee. One day, after repeatedly insisting, she finally convinced Jasmina to visit a soothsayer who lived in a run-down house at the far end of the city and was rumoured to know how to break black magic.
“Surely someone has done something to you…” she would tell her. “Go, things will get better.”
Although Jasmina was against such things and initially refused, when a person is broken, living unhappy and in fear, she begins to look for a way out everywhere. So, after much insistence, she agreed to go. But somehow, from that day on, things became even worse. Zoran began drinking more and more and became aggressive for no reason, therefore the peace and harmony completely disappeared from their home.
Marko, who was eight years old, began waking up at night from terrible nightmares and was afraid to be alone. After he fell asleep, Jasmina would sit alone in tears, waiting for Zoran to come home. That night, he never came. Early the next morning, a phone call from the police station brought her the news. Zoran had fallen while he was drunk, hit his head severely and died.
At that moment, it was as if the time had stopped. Jasmina did not know what to feel. One thought kept echoing in her mind: “It’s over!” Marko could feel the weight pressing down on his mother, even though she tried to be strong in front of him.
At school, he was a withdrawn and quiet child. He often sat alone in class, and unlike the other children, the only one who never mocked or avoided him was Stefan, who was different from the other children. Stefan lived in the neighbouring building, and that day, as they were walking home together, he told Marko that his family attended the Good News Church and that, if he wanted, he could come along with his mother. He told him about Jesus and what they learn in the children’s ministry at the church with the other children. He also told him how, one day, he dreamed of becoming a pastor. Confused and unsure of what to say, Marko looked at him and told him that he would talk to his mother.
When Jasmina and Marko talked about it, she was surprised. She had not expected him to show any interest in going. For the first time in a very long time, she even noticed a spark of life in her son’s voice. Although she did not know whether this was the right thing to do or what awaited them there, she knew one thing: her child was finally showing interest in something!
The following week, Jasmina and Marko went to a church service at the Christian Church Good News. She felt somewhat uneasy and expected questions, perhaps even judgment, but instead, they were welcomed by smiling people.The children immediately welcomed Marko, and for the first time, he felt accepted, while Jasmina quietly sat in the last row, trying to hide how difficult things were for her.
Then the sermon began. The pastor spoke about “weary” people, about those whom life had broken and whose burdens had become too heavy to carry, but also about, how Jesus came to set them free from every burden and give them peace. Every word, every sentence, touched Jasmina directly and left a deep mark in her heart.
From that day on, everything was different for them. They began attending Church regularly. Marko was no longer the same withdrawn child, and Jasmina felt that God was healing and restoring her through the prayers and the Word she heard during the services. She realized that sometimes a person does not need much – only a place where she can truly be accepted and filled with love, just as Jasmina found at the Christian Church Good News in the Republic of Macedonia.
The doors of the Christian Church Good News in the Republic of Macedonia are open to everyone who wants to make a new beginning in life!
Vera M.
