There is much chatter today about the Narcissistic Personality Disorder and how it impacts the family, especially concerning domestic abuse. In a nutshell, these people have “an excessive degree of self-esteem which can be considered a form of emotional immaturity. They are often a danger to the mental health of those around them, due to…
Hurricane Ian is coming ashore in Florida as I write this post. I am praying for several people, loved ones in the Ft. Myers area who are already seeing the record-breaking storm surge and hearing the nightmarish screaming winds. I pray the Lord will bless them and keep them safe today and tomorrow and in…
I was reminded today that the Jewish High Holidays begin later this month. Rosh Hashanah (also known as the Jewish New Year, also known as the Birthday of the Universe, also known as the Feast of Trumpets) falls on sundown of September 25th and continues until sundown of September 27th. Immediately after Rosh Hashanah, follows…
“I feel sorry for him. He had an abusive childhood.” “He said he’s sorry for hurting me and it’ll never happen again so I guess I will stay. I can forgive him one more time.” “I feel physically sick at the thought of leaving him. He can be very kind sometimes.” “He makes me feel…
At FOCUS Ministries, we often receive phone calls or emails from people who ask, “My friend (or my sister, cousin, daughter, granddaughter) is in an abusive marriage. What should I do?” Good question! We often get the same question from pastors and church staff. What should we do? What should we say? What is…
Little Wife’s little knees were shaking. Her little hands were shaking. Her tiny little voice was shaking. “Ma’am, could you please speak up?” asked the judge. Little Wife looked over her shoulder to the court advocate who had helped prepare her statement and other court documents. The court advocate nodded to Little Wife to…
After her escape from Big Man, Little Wife filled her days with job hunting, volunteer work, apartment searching and driving her children to school and their activities, trying to keep life for the children as normal as possible, all things considered. There was so much to consider and many life details to be worked out….
“Just slip out the back, Jack. Make a new plan, Stan. Hop on the bus, Gus. Just get yourself free.” When artist Paul Simon sang those lyrics in 1975, he probably was NOT thinking about domestic abuse. No, I KNOW he wasn’t. He was thinking about something completely different than survival. Leaving the abuse can…
The very next day Little Wife called the local police station. “Hello, is this the police? Yes, my name is Little Wife and I left my abusive husband yesterday. Yes, his name is Big Man. Yes, my children and I left him yesterday with nothing but the clothes on our backs…and a little bit…
“After all he has done to me, how can I ever forgive him?” That’s a good question, one I hear often. Yes, he has hurt you badly. Yes, he has stolen so much from you. You are heartbroken at the loss — of self-worth, faith, and dreams of what might have been. So much loss. …