Abuse

I have never thought too much about abuse.

I have never known anyone (at least that I know of) who suffered from abuse.

Until now.

A friend is trying to escape an abusive marriage.

Physical & emotional abuse.

Scary abuse.

Afraid for her life & the lives of her children abuse.

It breaks my heart.

And it has made me think...

My husband & I tend to be very silly.

We have water fights. We wrestle. We chase each other thru the house screaming & laughing.

Our children, for the most part, just look on in disgust :)

Sometimes they will join in & hand me a fresh water bottle when mine is out or try to help 'bring down' their dad (an impossible task).

But when their dad picks up their mom & carries her screaming from the room ~ everyone is laughing.

It isn't scary.

What about other kids?

What about kids who see their parents hurt each other?

What about kids who try to help their mom because they fear for her life?

How do those kids make it?

How do they ever grow up & be 'normal'?

It is heartbreaking.

And it makes me angry.

Angry that people hurt the people they are supposed to love.

Angry that they hurt the people they have been charged to care for.

Angry that they seem to go unpunished & are unrepentant.

And it makes me thankful.

So  thankful that my husband takes care of me.

That I can run screaming from the room, shooting water at him as I go, and I have nothing to fear.

Thankful that my children laugh & know we love each other.

Thankful that my husband is a good man.

Thankful for the one powerful thing I can do for those who are afraid and hurting: PRAY

Please join me.

Blessings.