*The Way of the Cross: Tapiwa’s Test of Faith (Part 3)*
_*Note:* do not copy these stories, if you want to share with others, just forward it_
As the years passed, Tapiwa grew into a devoted young Catholic. He became an altar server, led youth Bible studies, and even considered joining the seminary one day. His love for Christ burned brightly, and the Way of the Cross remained at the center of his faith.
But faith is not without trials.
One year, Zimbabwe faced a severe drought. Crops failed, rivers dried, and hunger spread across the village. Tapiwa’s own family, who had once been indifferent to religion but had grown supportive of his faith, struggled to find enough food. One night, his father sighed heavily at the dinner table, looking at the small portion of sadza they had left.
“Where is your God now, Tapiwa?” his father asked bitterly. “We pray, we go to church, yet we are still hungry.”
Tapiwa had no answer. He had always believed that God provided, yet now, even his family was suffering. Doubt crept into his heart. He found himself questioning if his faith truly mattered.
The next Friday, he walked alone to the church, standing before the large wooden cross at the altar. “Lord, are You really with us?” he whispered. Silence filled the empty church. He felt nothing—no divine sign, no sudden reassurance. Just the quiet presence of the cross.
Then, as he turned to leave, he saw an old woman kneeling at the back of the church. It was the same woman who had wept during his first Way of the Cross years ago. He approached her.
“Mhamha, why do you still pray even when things are so hard?” he asked.
She smiled gently. “My son, Jesus fell three times on the way to the cross, but He never gave up. We must not give up either. Suffering does not mean God has abandoned us. It means we must hold onto Him even tighter.”
Her words struck deep. Tapiwa realized that faith was not about having an easy life—it was about trusting in God even when things seemed hopeless.
With renewed strength, he returned home. Instead of dwelling on what they lacked, he began organizing food collections at the church, gathering whatever little people could share. Though times were tough, the community came together, proving that love and faith could overcome any hardship.
That Easter, as he carried the cross during the procession, Tapiwa’s heart was at peace. He finally understood—faith is not about avoiding suffering, but about walking through it with Christ, just as He had done on the way to Calvary.
And so, Tapiwa’s faith, once shaken, emerged even stronger—rooted in love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable power of the cross.
Story Story Story Part 3