Sign-In
Cart
Before We Were Born
Paperback
Biographies GeneralReligion General
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Aug 23 2026
Pages: 686
Weight: 2.37
Height: 1.37 Width: 6.69 Depth: 9.61
Language: English
Before We Were Born is a deeply personal memoir about first love, family, trauma, young marriage, motherhood, heartbreak, faith, separation, forgiveness, and the unexpected return of a love that once seemed permanently lost.
At the center of the story is Marsha Nisha Johnson, a quiet, introverted, sweet young woman growing up in West Dallas. Her life changes when she reconnects with Kendrick Revels, a charismatic, muscular, intelligent, funny young man known by friends as Shorty and sometimes Little Hercules. Kendrick is talented in mathematics, dancing, music, and school activities, including serving as a drum major. Their attraction begins innocently-one of the defining memories is Kendrick approaching Nisha at a Pepsi machine during lunch-and quickly develops into an intense teenage love. Years later, Kendrick would jokingly claim that Nisha seduced him that day, a version of events she still disputes.
Their relationship is strengthened by something neither of them understands at the time: both are carrying childhood trauma and sexual abuse. They are, in many ways, two wounded young people recognizing something familiar in each other before either has the language to name it. Their love is real, but so are their unhealed wounds.
When Nisha discovers she is pregnant with their son Devone in January 1991, everything changes. Although frightened to tell her mother, she is surprised by her mother's warmth and acceptance. Religious beliefs and family expectations encourage Nisha and Kendrick to marry, but they are also genuinely in love and willing to do so. On March 11, 1991, at only sixteen, they marry before a justice of the peace.
Pregnancy brings both joy and devastating emotional pressure. Nisha faces threats at school from a girl interested in Kendrick, family conflict over who will be present during delivery, and growing emotional strain. At approximately eight months pregnant, overwhelmed by heartbreak and believing she can no longer endure the pain, she attempts to take her own life in a school bathroom. She survives, Devone survives, and the event becomes one of the darkest turning points in her story. Her mother's love, Uncle Brian's anguish, the response of teachers and medical staff, and the complicated aftermath reveal both the strength and fragility of the family surrounding her.
On October 30, 1991, at 7:29 a.m., Nisha gives birth to Devone. For a time, she and Kendrick experience the sweetness of becoming young parents. They move into their first apartment, obtain their GEDs, learn to live as adults, and try to build a family while still barely more than children themselves.
But the marriage begins deteriorating. Financial pressure, family involvement, Kendrick's desire for freedom and acceptance among his peers, grief over the death of his close friend Jerome Gaut, substance abuse, infidelity, emotional cruelty, occasional physical aggression, separation, reconciliation, and incarceration become part of a painful cycle. Nisha continues loving Kendrick while increasingly losing herself inside the marriage.
By Christmas Eve 2001, the breaking point finally arrives. Kendrick disappears during a family Christmas gathering, and Nisha eventually learns he is with another woman. Her family, exhausted from watching her suffer, tells her they can no longer continue witnessing the cycle. Nisha finally makes the choice she has struggled to make for years:
She chooses herself.Also in
Religion General
The Circle of the Way: A Concise History of Zen from the Buddha to the Modern World
O'Brien, Barbara
Paperback
The Destiny of Modern Societies: The Calvinist Predestination of a New Society
Zafirovski, Milan
Paperback
Queer Faith: Reading Promiscuity and Race in the Secular Love Tradition
Sanchez, Melissa E.
Paperback
The Sullivanians: Sex, Psychotherapy, and the Wild Life of an American Commune
Stille, Alexander
Hardcover
Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 5
Kelly, Geffrey B.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich
Bloesch, Daniel W.
Hardcover
The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis: Commentary on the First Three Chapters
Smith, David Chaim
Paperback
Friendship and Society: An Introduction to Augustine's Practical Philosophy
Burt, Donald X.
Paperback
Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion: 300 Terms Thinkers Clearly Concisely Defined
Evans, C. Stephen
Paperback
Chant & Be Happy: Based on Teachings of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Paperback
Medieval Handbooks of Penance: A Translation of the Principal Libri Poenitentiales
McNeill, John
Gamer, Helena
Paperback
Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds
Fugelsang, John
Hardcover
As a Man Thinketh - the Original 1902 Classic (includes the Mastery of Destiny) (Reader's Library Classics)
Allen, James
Paperback
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made
Kobes Du Mez, Kristin
Hardcover
Don't Believe Everything You Think (Expanded Edition): Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering
Nguyen, Joseph
Hardcover
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning with and Reimagining Faith
Bessey, Sarah
Evans, Rachel Held
Hardcover
40 días de viaje en silencio hoy: Una guía para escuchar a Dios en el silencio
Zambrano, S.
Paperback
Determined to Believe?: The Sovereignty of God, Freedom, Faith, and Human Responsibility
Lennox, John C.
Paperback
The Culting of America: What Makes a Cult and Why We Love Them
Reed, Amy
Mestyanek Young, Daniella
Hardcover
Nothing Is Impossible with God: Eleven Heroes. One God. Endless Lessons in Overcoming.
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume
Meyer, Marvin W.
Robinson, James M.
Paperback
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
Comer, John Mark
Hardcover
Mary Magdalene Revealed: The First Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity We Haven't Tried Yet
Watterson, Meggan
Paperback
Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi's Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging
Buchdahl, Angela
Hardcover
I Belong to Me: A Survivor's Guide to Recovery and Hope After Religious Trauma
Levings, Tia
Hardcover
The Books of Enoch: The Complete and Original Edition, Also Includes the Book of Jasher and the Book of Jubilees
Charles, R. H.
Paperback
A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Selected from the World's Sacred Texts
Tolstoy, Leo
Hardcover
Mythology (75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition): Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
Hamilton, Edith
Hardcover
Consagracion a San Jose: Las Maravillas de Nuestro Padre Espiritual
Calloway, Donald H., MIC
Paperback
Every Moment Holy: New Liturgies for Daily Life: (Pocket Edition) (Over 100 Prayers and Illustrations for Practicing Mindfulness of the Presence of Go
McKelvey, Douglas Kaine
Hardcover
The Official Study Guide to I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Geisler, Norman L.
Jimenez, Jason
Paperback
Pray Like a Champion Today: Sacred Stories from the Sidelines of Notre Dame Football
Wills, Nate, CSC
Paperback
Spiritual Hygiene: A Practical Path for Clean Living, Inner Authority, and Divine Freedom
Vanzant, Iyanla
Hardcover
Exceptional Hatred: Antisemitism and the Fight Over Free Speech in Modern America
Loeffler, James
Hardcover
The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby: Inside a Billionaire Family's Quest to Craft a Christian Nation
Blanding, Michael
Hardcover
Did America Have a Christian Founding?: Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth
Hall, Mark David
Paperback
Los Destinado al ��xito: C��mo alcanzar tus mejores sue��os
Gebel, Dante
Paperback
A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God's Gift of Sexual Intimacy
Rosenau, Douglas E.
Paperback
From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says about Women in Leadership
Sprinkle, Preston
Paperback
Bless & Release: The physics of letting go-and wanting what's meant for you.
Laporte, Danielle
Paperback
Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe
Meyer, Stephen C.
Paperback
It Works: The Famous Little Red Book That Makes Your Dreams Come True!
Jarrett, Roy Herbert
Jarrett, Rh
Paperback
A Catechism of the Strange: Stigmata, Relics, and the Miracles That Shape the Soul
Allen, W. Tyler
Paperback
The 10: 10 Challenge: 10 Weeks, 10 Ways to a Jesus-Led Life
Jackson, Andrea
Lesperance, André
Paperback
Unoffendable Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better
Hansen, Brant
Paperback
Through a Season of Grief: 365 Devotions for Your Journey from Mourning to Joy
Leonard, Kathy
Dunn, Bill
Paperback
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs: How the People of the Bible Really Lived
Vos, Howard
Paperback
The Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods and Goddesses
Illes, Judika
Hardcover
The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times
Zondervan Publishing
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Leo XIV, Pope
Paperback
Beyond Wellness: How Restoring the Religious Roots of Spiritual Practices Can Heal Us
Bucar, Liz
Hardcover
David Bowie and the Search for Life, Death and God: A Spiritual Meditation on His Music and Creativity
Ormerod, Peter
Hardcover
The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History
Throckmorton, Warren
Hardcover
The Genesis 6 Conspiracy Part II: How Understanding Prehistory and Giants Helps Define End-Time Prophecy
Wayne, Gary
Paperback
Falling Upward, Revised and Updated: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
Rohr, Richard
Hardcover
Cuando No Sabes Qué Orar: 100 Oraciones Esenciales Para Sobrellevar Las Tormentas de la Vida
Stanley, Charles F.
Paperback
The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth
Barr, Beth Allison
Paperback
Pagan Threat: Confronting America's Godless Uprising with a Foreword by Charlie Kirk
Miles, Lucas
Hardcover