“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…
I was blessed to attend the recent Restore 2022 Conference at Judson University. The subtitle, A Conference Restoring Faith in God and the Church, hinted at the truth that our society is experiencing right now – many people have lost faith in our loving God, because of abuse in the church and in the home. …
Big Man stood in the middle of the street with his hands on his hips, watching Little Wife drive away. “She’s not worth it. She’ll be back. She has nowhere to go and she needs me. She’ll be back in a little while, after she cools off. She’s just not worth it, but she sure…
I wonder if you know that sickening feeling when you answer the phone, and they say, “She’s gone.” After nearly a year of harsh cancer treatments, my dear sister-in-law Linda went to be with the Lord last month. She was only 59, recently retired and ready to share golden days of fishing and gardening with…
FOCUS Ministries believes in the foundational importance of support groups for women who are struggling in dysfunctional or abusive relationships. One of the most challenging factors in domestic abuse is the isolation that a woman may feel. She’s told by her abuser that no one will believe her if she tells her story of abuse….
“Bride Preparing” Rose petals open gently, Gracefully, Little by little A love relationship deepens Little by little I learn more of Him While I share my deepest thoughts with Him He listens He leads He comforts, protects, provides An intense growing love A desire to never be apart A clinging to His every word….
One Sunday morning, Little Wife and Big Man went to their church. He gripped her hand tightly as they walked in and smiled brightly at the worshippers greeting them at the door. “Good morning! Good morning! Yes, isn’t it a fine spring morning! Praise the Lord for Sundays in the house of God.” Little Wife…
What does it mean to be loved by God? I mean truly loved by God. I grew up singing Jesus Loves Me. I believe it, but is it just a fact that I know to be true, or a radical truth that actually changes my life? Shouldn’t it be the latter? What impression does the…
“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. …