Mustard-Seed Faith

 “99.9% I may not be going, but am holding on to my God-given faith that I will join my husband in the US!”

This was Margaret’s mustard-seed faith in her God that miraculously moved the mountain – thanks to a vengeful colleague – paving the way for her immigration to the US and life with the gentleman she was married to. And that was almost three decades ago! 

The fifth of seven children, Margaret was born to an Anglo-Indian mother and a Malayalee (Namboothiri) father. That Margie was remarkable right from infancy is no exaggeration. At the tender age of one year and four months, she could sing the beautiful hymn, “Soul of my Saviour” in its entirety, much to the astonishment of family and friends. We’ve all heard of babbling babies, but singing babies, now that was a rarity half a century ago!

Margaret grew into an amiable, beautiful, cheerful and delightful young woman. She was a fighter and a firebrand when it came to standing up for fair-play and standing against injustice! Her positive attitude, numerous attributes and inexhaustible Joie de vivre drew the young and old alike to her like a magnet. Needless to say, that when Margie became a teacher, her students, both boys and girls, loved her winsome ways and dynamic teaching methodologies that helped them discover the joys of learning.

In the presence of such smartness and versatility can envy/jealousy be far behind? Sad but true! Margie had applied for her M Ed programme in the US much earlier, and everyone in her school came to terms with the fact that it was only a matter of time before she would have to leave them. Then, of course, marriage happened and Margie found her life in the fast-track lane. School work, shopping and waiting for her passport to arrive made her days exciting and exhilarating, when, like a bolt from the blue, she received a terse note from the passport office asking her to present herself immediately. 

Wondering at the urgency, Margaret went to the passport office with a prayer in her heart. Imagine her shock and utter disbelief when the officer there showed her her wedding picture neatly cut out from her school magazine with an accompanying note that said that she was not going to the US to study as she had claimed, but to join her husband! Margaret, very clearly and, patiently explained herself to the officer, and, in no time, she was given her passport. Margie knows her God is close at hand, but in moments like these, she could truly feel His presence.

Now let me fast-forward to the visa interview. Waiting in the queue with an outward calm in the US consulate in Chennai, Margaret watched as those before her were either cleared or rejected. She couldn’t help noticing that that those who were directed to one particular counter left crestfallen and even crying. It appeared that the officer at that counter was rigid and unapologetically uncompromising. You’re thinking what I’m thinking, right? Yes, the poor girl prayed fervently that she be sent to some other counter when she heard her name being called at the ‘rejection’ counter. 

In a daze, Margie walked to the counter with her only weapon: Prayer!

She answered all questions honestly and sincerely. And just when it appeared that she was finally through, the visa officer looked askance at the wedding band on her finger. Margaret was forthright with him, explaining the circumstances, and, hold your breath, the officer was convinced. But you just can’t say until you actually get the visa in your hands… and the wait can be very agonizing for anyone let alone a young girl yearning to join her newly married husband! 

We received Margie’s long letter overflowing with her unshakable God-given faith even as she detailed the setbacks she had to face in quick succession. It was Margaret’s ‘mustard-seed’ Faith that flew her into her loving husband’s arms, to embark on their journey of life together as One! 

(Betty D’Couto is the former Head, PG & Research Centre of English, Lady Doak College. She taught there for 35 years.)