Imagine if you will, the consequences for sins against children. Jesus told his disciples in the Gospel of Luke 17:2, “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.” Drowning by…
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…
Have you ever been told that the things happening in your home are “figments of your imagination”? That’s not very validating, is it? Not very affirming. But that is what we hear sometimes when we actually get up the courage to tell someone what’s going on behind closed doors. “Oh no,” they say. “That’s…
The Bible has much to say about our tears. The women in our support group this past Monday evening also had much to say about tears. One woman is learning to grieve and cry. After years and years of putting up with harsh words and emotional abuse, wearing a happy face to cover up her…
“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…
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…
“That was him, I know it was him,” Little Wife whispered to herself. She peeked into the rear view mirror of her rental car to catch another look at the car that had just passed her by. Big Man had mysteriously appeared at the scene of the car crash two days before. Her phone showed…
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…