Where There Is Love

(stamp: Verve More than Love  die: Avery Elle Dotted Borders Elle-ments)



I stumbled upon The Hop to Stop hosted by Becca Cruger 

via the lovely Darnell J. Knauss

To quote Becca's post...

"...purple is the color of National Domestic Violence Awareness month. 

1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence over the course of their lifetimes." 

15 years ago I had a new friend bravely share the harrowing life she was living with her husband.


It was definitely one of those God moments...because I'm not one to pry.


I'm really not.


For some reason she felt she could trust me and little by little pieces of her nightmare eeked out in words~


10 min here and there as we whispered in between worship and women's Bible study classes. 


There were moments here and there when our kids had play dates.

As the reality of what was going on in her home settled in on me...and the shock wore off (because I seriously WAS floored)...


I prayerfully advised her to speak with a local mentoring couple who gave her and her child the resources to flee this dangerous situation.

  I know it was God directing me because

I had only lived in the area a few months prior to her arrival (typical military atmosphere).

 I had never experienced this dilemma before.


I was a new Christian and clueless to what the "right" answer was for this.


I mean, this is a MARRIAGE and FAMILY we are talking about.



I didn't know what to do or how to help her.


I'm grateful the Lord gave me timely words to enable her.
 

So grateful for this sweet, GODLY couple who didn't sweep it under a rug.


Super grateful they BELIEVED her and put her safety first.



By the way...her husband didn't look like a monster.


 He appeared like a doting, faithful husband and behaved well in a public setting.


In fact,

he was charming, nice, and smiled.




Just because it isn't obvious doesn't mean it isn't happening.


It is what it is.


 Unfortunately, even if it's not happening to you...more likely than not,


you know someone who is living it and probably hiding it.


May God give us the ear to listen & the boldness to be encouraging.


Also, may He give us wisdom to help those that can't help themselves.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, reach out for help! 

Call the 24/7 confidential National Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-800-799-7233