Marriages are under attack more than ever. No one can attest to that more than Sonia and Derek McLeod, who released their powerful book, Teach Me to War. This honest and stirring memoir brings the reader through the struggles and triumphs of their tumultuous Christian marriage-which included battles with lust, religion and pride.
The couple was finally on the precipice of ruin, with Derek leaving the home. But at this point, God ushered in profound change, bringing both of them to a deeper walk through a cross-country journey with God.
Teach Me to War is not just about the heart of a woman after her husband, it is about the heart of God after his own bride, the Church.
"This book isn't just about our struggles," says Sonia. "It's about a heavenly Husband after His wayward wife and how He loves and pursues her."
Sonia is Plains Cree/Saulteaux. Although raised in London, Ontario, near the Oneida settlement, she is a member of the Key First Nation in Saskatchewan with family ties to Cowessess First Nation. Derek is James Bay (Eastern) Cree. He is a member of the Crees of the Waskaganish First Nation. The couple currently lives in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
Intertribal Life interviewed Sonia to give you a closer look at these authors and their powerful book.
First, when did God get a hold of your life?
When I was 12 years old, my mother sent me to a Christian camp. They did a skit on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and they gave an altar call. That night I accepted Jesus Christ in to my heart. I was touched by the Holy Spirit, and I knew that there was a God in Heaven who loved me.
However, my mother's marriage fell apart, and she began drinking every day. Before long, I was drinking and living a high-risk lifestyle. And not until years later, when I was a single parent of two children, did I begin to think about the Lord again. I would look at my children and I knew I wanted more for them, but I didn't know how to give it to them. I didn't know how to parent and I didn't know how to rear them!
I was 25 years old and had been in and out of relationships and was bound to alcohol and sexual sin. But I had a reverential fear deep in my heart, knowing that I had to turn from what I was doing and turn to the Lord. My mother was also praying for me. She had been 15 years old when she gave birth to me. She told me that one day, as she held me in her arms, the Lord had impressed upon her heart that He would use my life.
So when I was 25 years old, I was in a relationship with someone who threatened to take my life. I was living in a very real life-and-death situation. I prayed and asked God if He could help me and said that I would serve Him. The Lord answered me, and delivered me out of that relationship. And He drastically changed my life.
A year later, my children's dad saw that I had changed; that I was no longer the person I had been before. Amazingly, he called me one night and wanted to give his life to Jesus. The next day a friend and I led him through the sinner's prayer. Miraculously, I watched this man, who once tormented me, accept Jesus into his life. Whenever I face another giant in my life, I am reminded of this testimony. My life has not been the same since. God has completely transformed me and rewritten my story.
How did the Lord bring you and Derek together?
Some years later, the Lord led me to write my first book, Rise Up My Beloved. During the promotion of this book, Derek saw my news release for it and sent me a message. He thought it was really cool to see a First Nations author, and he felt compelled to send me a message. He said he loved my radiant smile. He wanted what he saw in me. He had to at least say hello. He didn't think I would reply.
What inspired you to write Teach Me to War?
As we struggled in our marriage, Derek left the house for a time. After my husband left us, I would go to a particular place every day to pray for my marriage and Derek. I was feeling very overwhelmed one day a few weeks after he left. That day, I had a moment with the Lord on the side of the road that forever changed my walk with Him.
I remember the thoughts of fear that I had lost my marriage and that I would once again be alone. My mind was tormented with the thought that my boys would lose their daddy. I couldn't bear hearing them cry every night.
As I was praying and crying to the Lord that day, He showed me how He was holding back the darkness that wanted to sweep over me. He was holding back the plans that the enemy had against me and my home. As long as I prayed and realized God's Word had power, the enemy would not prevail.
Before my husband left, the Lord had been speaking to me constantly about Nehemiah. I did not know why, but I knew there was some significance about the book of Nehemiah that I would only understand later.
When my husband finally came home, he looked up at the walls of our bedroom and saw the scriptures I had put up and had prayed every day. He said, "Sonia, you built a wall here. Just like Nehemiah."
We saw how God miraculously restored our marriage. I knew I had to begin writing. I had to share how by the power of His Word-and for those who take hold of His promises-that nothing is impossible with Him. I had to write about how we do not walk alone, and that He is in our midst to keep us, and to keep all that we have for His glory.
What is your vision for Teach Me to War?
Teach Me to War was prompted by the Spirit of God. It was something that He had put on my heart many years before. I knew that the Lord was going to have me write a second book, but I had no idea what it would be about. Then, when my husband, Derek, and I faced this battle that the Lord began to instruct me to begin writing.
As I wrote, I knew that the Lord would use this to heal wounded hearts and the restoration of marriages. He would use this to expose the works of lust and religion that have captivated so many, not only in our Native American and First Nation churches, but throughout the church body.
What type of ministry are you currently involved in?
Since 2014, I have been active in online ministry. But in 2018, the Lord began to take my ministry higher. My health, marriage and home were struggling.
I was told that I was prediabetic and had high blood pressure. The nurse told me that I could still turn this around. I went home, and rather than going to my husband and telling him about it, I ran to the Lord. I knew I needed help, and I knew that I struggled with gluttony.
I asked the Lord what to do. He simply instructed me to walk. My husband mapped out a walking route, and I walked every day-for 100 consecutive days! I downloaded an audio Bible and worship music, and I walked an hour every day. And for my accountability I went live online everyday and shared whatever the Lord had spoken to my heart during that walk.
My passion and love for the Lord grew, and my faith abounded. Soon, many others joined me on this 100-day walking journey. I wrote a 100-day journal devotional to encourage others in their walks. An online group was started, and it is still very active today with 300 members.
In 2019, I wrote a Facebook post about how the unmarked graves found on the site of a former Indian Residential School near Cowessess First Nation affected me, since the announcement fell on my birthday. The post went viral, and I did interviews with different non-native Christian media outlets. As a result of this post, many people started following my social media outlets. I began reading Bible verses online and, specifically, I began reading the book of Revelation. I was shocked when thousands of people soon started following my posts!
Today, I am still using this platform to reach thousands with the gospel of Jesus Christ through ministry videos, bible reading, and sharing about our own struggles and victories in this Christian walk.
What encouragement/exhortation would you give to someone walking through really challenging times?
We have an enemy who is the father of all lies and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). He comes to steal, kill and destroy our faith and our lives (John 10:10). But the Word of God is our hope, and our refuge. When we trust and abide in the Lord, He can change the most impossible circumstances. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. David, the psalmist, said, "Even if I make my bed in hell you are there with me" (Psalm 139: 8).
No matter how far you think you have gone, or what you may have done, turn to the Lord with all your heart. Repent, and the Lord will give you the grace to bring you through. His Word tells us not to lean on our own understanding, but to acknowledge Him, in all our ways (Proverbs 3:5–6).
He has preserved you for this time, and He has kept His hand on you. You will have great victory when you walk in truth.
The Lord has a purpose and a plan for your life. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Lay hold of one promise and ask the Lord to open it up to you. He will speak to you and you will begin to see Him everywhere you look. Don't give up, because it will be worth it all. All the hard times will be like a vapour and they will not be remembered when we stand in His presence forever.
You can find your copy of Teach Me to War at most major online retailer sites such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Target, as well as ordering through local bookstores. In the US, readers can order it directly from the McLeods' website: http://www.derekandsonia.com. Canadian residents can order the book through http://www.indigo.ca or http://www.chapters.ca. The book is available in print and as an ebook. Follow Sonia on social media at TikTok: SoniaMcLeod @lover_ofjesuschrist, Facebook: Sonia McLeod, and Instagram: mrs.soniamcleod.
