Caged Bird, Arise

By Toni Hardy

Caged Bird, Arise is a remarkable story of a young woman whose internal struggles of heartbreak and disappointment ultimately led her away from God. Kashvi has demonstrated that every person possesses an inner strength which allows them to overcome the challenges of life, while gently reminding readers that defeat is an illusory tactic of the en

• Language: English
• Publisher: Toni Hardy
• Release date: Apr 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9781087900087

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CAGED BIRD, ARISE

TONI S. HARDY

This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise--without prior written permission of the author, except as provided by the United States of America copyright law.

Scripture references are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Copyright © 2022 by Toni Hardy

DEDICATION

Caged Bird, Arise is dedicated to everyone who has ever struggled with low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts and feeling that you aren’t properly equipped to fulfill your purpose. Life will not always be sunshine and rainbows, there will be some cloudy skies along the way. You will experience moments where you truly want to quit, but I want to remind you that you possess an inner strength that will allow you to rise above any circumstance. Learn to see yourself as God does because you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are the Creator’s masterpiece. You have always been enough; you will always be enough and you are a force to be reckoned with! Lastly, remember the only limitations you have are the ones in your mind. Caged Bird, Arise! Spread your wings and be who the Creator has called you to be!

Secondly, I would like to dedicate this book to my siblings: Tarsha, Jalen, Davontaye, Jay, as well as two special cousins Jermaine and Pierre. Remember to keep God first in your life because he will take you far and you will do things that you never imagined. I speak to the inner queen and kings on the inside of you and call it forth. You will live to declare the works of the Lord. You will be all that you were placed on this earth to be. You are all children of the King and there’s absolutely nothing you can’t do the only limitations you have are in your mind. Remember, God loves you more than you can fathom. Rise and be who you were called to be!

In loving memory of my Grandmother Elvera, thank you for igniting my passion for writing. Your legacy will continue to live on.

Table of Contents

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

IDENTITY OF A MISFIT

ENEMY IN DISGUISE

HIGH SCHOOL

DEALING WITH EMOTIONS

A TALK WITH GRANDPA

LIFE AFTER DEATH

YOU ARE THE MIRACLE

PART 2

STOP UNDERESTIMATING THE ENEMY

WHERE IS GOD IN MY GRIEVING PROCESS?

BLOTCHES OF LIFE

HEALING FROM ABUSE

CONQUER AND DESTROY

HEALING, FORGIVENESS, & SELF LOVE

SELF-LOVE

PREFACE

This book outlines real issues that people encounter on this journey of life. The purpose of this writing is to show the reader that whatever you’re dealing with, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Most importantly it serves as a gentle reminder that we can always find comfort in sharing our hurt and disappointments with God. God loves you beyond anything that you can imagine and will always be by your side. The biggest tactic of the Enemy is to make you believe that God has abandoned you.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, thank you for loving me beyond my wildest imagination and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me to pull out the gifts that were instilled in me. I would like to thank everyone who has played a role in my life. Special thank you to my AMAZING support system: my parents, Kim/Tony, Pastor Tony Smith, my aunts, Cheryl, Shala, Saphrone, mentor, Elder Tarsia, Grandma Vivian, and Cousin Jelly. You all have a special place in my heart. You have supported my wildest dreams, reminding me that I can do anything with God. You have spoken life into me and helped to push me into purpose. I am grateful beyond words for your presence in my life.

INTRODUCTION

Jeremiah 1:5 says, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

Kashvi Basu grew up in Hosur, which is a small town located in the region of Tamil Nadu (Southern India). As a child, she was always very inquisitive. Kashvi wanted to know the depth of who she was and why she was created. In school, she heard many theories of how the world began. Some said Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, while others believed in the Big Bang Theory. She honestly did not know what to believe, or whom to believe in for that matter. Was there a God? That was the greatest question that she so desperately longed to answer. Kashvi, just like many others today, was simply trying to navigate the journey of life while finding the purpose for which she was created.

We all have a story to tell and unique experiences that help shape and mold our character. Whether those experiences are good or bad, it all depends on individual perspectives. For many years Kashvi struggled to accept herself and find love within herself.  But now that she is older and possesses a little more wisdom Kashvi couldn’t be prouder of the woman she has become. She has such a beautiful array of confidence, but it wasn’t always that way.  Kashvi used to think she wasn’t good enough, pretty enough--just simply not enough. For some reason, she always felt inadequate. So, she would often fall into this bottomless pit of constantly comparing herself to others.  Comparison is the thief of all joy because regardless of how hard you try, you will never be good enough for the wrong people. Seeking validation from external sources can be lethal because, believe it or not, sometimes people are on an assignment from the enemy to destroy your self-worth. The goal is to destroy you, so you won’t fully show up in the world the way God designed you to do.

Needless to say, that mentality led to an identity crisis which, in turn, was a long dark road of depression, suicidal thoughts and ultimately running away from God’s presence. Kashvi’s story may be a little similar to many women. Hopefully it can be a source