Wow, can you believe it? I said the word that no one likes to hear especially married couples....DIVORCE!! Yes, it is a dreadful word and at times, a difficult experience for some people. I honestly believe that God doesn't put more on us than we can bear. You might want to consider me a living testimony of that Bible verse. God knew very well that I would be an emotional work of art in the courtroom if I had to go back and forth with my now ex-husband. But only my God, allowed me to get a divorce and not even have to look my husband at the time, in the eye once. No custody battles, not even those strenous court fees. God made a promise to me that he would put my enemies under my feet and He meant business. Now don't get me wrong, my ex was never my enemy. It was satan himself working through my husband at the time. So God put a stop to satan's plan to destroy me, into better works for His glory to be used by Him (God).
I tell people all the time, the domestic violence I went through in my marriage had absolutely nothing to do with me personally. It happened to bring about a change in other people lives and an avenue to be used by God, Himself. You can't asked for anything more than that. So I thank God daily for using me, to speak to a broken population of women and their children who have been abused on all levels.
DIVORCE.....is an ugly word that even the Bible says, God hates. I don't believe He hates it so much that He would also hate you if that's what's best for you and your family. Alot of time women who stay in abusive marriages deal with emotionally and verbally torture of what the "church folks" might say? Let me tell you one thing is for certain: Church folks will talk about you whether it's something good or bad!
You don't owe the church any explanation to the decisions you need to make for the safety of yourself and of your children. You have to pour out your heart to God and allow Him to mend whatever broken pieces you have before or after your divorce, back together. I held on to my marriage for dear life it seemed like. My marriage became my idol.....and we all know that's a big no, no to God. I read almost every book and went through counseling and listened to family and friends. I neglected to reach out to God and see what His answer was all along.
Divorce is never something easy to do or be done with afterwards for some people. That's why trusted family members, friends, books, co-workers, clergy, therapists, support groups, etc are an essential backbone for those of us who have to deal with this ugly word. It took alot out of me to step out on faith and meet new friends, go to new places alone and focus on my dreams and goals, now that I am divorced. I say those things because usually married couples share the same friends and are involved in the same social environments. So once you get divorced, things ultimately change: no more couples nights out, bbq's together, kids car pooling together for school, married ministries at church--- you are now to sit in the singles section LOL if you decide to stay at the church together.
I pray for those who have to deal with the harsh realities of the worst cases of divorce. But give your situation over to God and He'll give you strength to walk away. I remember asking God to do for me, what I couldn't do myself...which was totally walk away from my abusive relationship. I stand here today to let you know that the road gets better to make your journey easier through life once you let go and let God do His will.
Divorce is the end result of a marriage, but not the end of your life. I hope this helped you in some way to fulfill your greatest potentials in life and if you've fallen down in life, allow yourself to be picked back up again and enjoy God's grace and new mercies everyday.
BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
WE ALL SHARE THE SAME STORY
I went to a conference yesturday that discussed health topics and issues for women of color. So of course, by all means, they had a workshop on Domestic Violence. The presentors amazingly, didn't facilitate using diagrams, PowerPoint slides and the what nots....they simply talked with the ladies. We now know that Domestic Violence is a hidden or "hushed" crime. Many African Americans, especially women, are taught at an early age that, whatever goes on in the house, stays in the house. This has effected so much of our society that words almost can't even give an accurate description of this horrific and silent crime.
It also amazes me that each and everytime I'm in a room with very beautiful and intelligent women, I notice one thing: we all share the same story! The same stories of abuse, anger, guilt, shame, needs, wants, goals, children, married, single, divorced, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, hearts broken, dreams shattered and a host of other testimonies.
I sat there in my seat, literally with my hands planted under my thighs. I have to do this sometimes inorder to allow myself to be the student and not always be the teacher. Hearing the women talk about all of the similar stories of personal experiences with domestic violence or of a dear friend or family member that's involved currently in an unhealthy relationship.
Alot of women share the same stories of how their mothers or grandmothers were abused and it was just the "way of life". That is absolutely unnacceptable in today's society. The Feminist movement allowed us women, to stand up for ourselves, vote and live our lives to the best of our abilities and in the safe havens of our own homes. The stories that we share have no room to create boundaries based off of race or economic backgrounds. As we all know, domestic violence does NOT visit only a selected few of species.
Domestic violence is a community crime: if it effects one of us, it affects ALL of us!
Whenever you get a room full of women who have been abused, you will hear the same stories how they were walking around on eggshells daily, fears of being alone or even fears of dying. The same stories of how at night, they meditated on how they wanted to kill their abuser but thought about their children being without a mother and father, afterwards. Name calling and manipulation tactics or similar threats, are also included in hearing the same stories as well. Last but not the least, we all share the same stories of being stressed out due to the lack of sleep that a victim doesn't get because of her abuser, keeping up chaos to deprive them of sleep.
I encourage each victim or survivor to get involved in any available support groups or have a buddy system with another person and listen carefully to each other and you will be amazed of one thing certainly: we all share the same story!
God bless you, I pray for your strength and let's continue to BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!
It also amazes me that each and everytime I'm in a room with very beautiful and intelligent women, I notice one thing: we all share the same story! The same stories of abuse, anger, guilt, shame, needs, wants, goals, children, married, single, divorced, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, hearts broken, dreams shattered and a host of other testimonies.
I sat there in my seat, literally with my hands planted under my thighs. I have to do this sometimes inorder to allow myself to be the student and not always be the teacher. Hearing the women talk about all of the similar stories of personal experiences with domestic violence or of a dear friend or family member that's involved currently in an unhealthy relationship.
Alot of women share the same stories of how their mothers or grandmothers were abused and it was just the "way of life". That is absolutely unnacceptable in today's society. The Feminist movement allowed us women, to stand up for ourselves, vote and live our lives to the best of our abilities and in the safe havens of our own homes. The stories that we share have no room to create boundaries based off of race or economic backgrounds. As we all know, domestic violence does NOT visit only a selected few of species.
Domestic violence is a community crime: if it effects one of us, it affects ALL of us!
Whenever you get a room full of women who have been abused, you will hear the same stories how they were walking around on eggshells daily, fears of being alone or even fears of dying. The same stories of how at night, they meditated on how they wanted to kill their abuser but thought about their children being without a mother and father, afterwards. Name calling and manipulation tactics or similar threats, are also included in hearing the same stories as well. Last but not the least, we all share the same stories of being stressed out due to the lack of sleep that a victim doesn't get because of her abuser, keeping up chaos to deprive them of sleep.
I encourage each victim or survivor to get involved in any available support groups or have a buddy system with another person and listen carefully to each other and you will be amazed of one thing certainly: we all share the same story!
God bless you, I pray for your strength and let's continue to BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE
I noticed that all of my blogs were geared towards the mature audience of adults. But neglected to inform my readers of another growing topic in domestic violence: Teen Dating Violence. The youth in our society are under so much pressure, such as having sex (protected or unprotected), committing crimes and addictions to drugs (legal or illegal), that dating violence has also become a greater risk for silent behaviors.
Let's explore this further(IL DV Manual and emphasis mine):
Teen dating violence often is hidden because teenagers typically:
*are inexperienced with dating relationships
*are pressured by peers to act violently
*want independence from parents
*have "romantic" views of love
The early warning signs of a potential abusive partner are similar to those of adults: Explosive behavior, extreme jealousy, quick involvement, unpredictable mood swings, isolating victim from family and friends, etc.
Parents, discuss these and other warning signs of domestic violence with your teenager(s). Here are a few signs to look for in teens that are involved in dating violence:
*Physical signs of injury
*Truancy, dropping out of school (multiple physical scars and bruises keeps the teen from attending school for fear of someone finding out about their situation)
*Failing grades
*Indecision (having doubt or uncertainities)
*Changes in mood or personaility
*Sudden use of alcohol/drugs
*Pregnancy (if a teen is pregnant multiple times a year and is having miscarriages/abortions, there's a possibilty that the abusive partner is refusing to use condoms during sexual intercourse)
*Emotional outbursts
*Isolation (The teen suddenly stays "locked" in their bedroom or anyplace in the house that allows them not to be seen for long periods of time. This is a way to hide bruises, scars and even pregnancies from parents)
So if you thought domestic violence only happens in the adult world, I hope this brief information has evolved you into taking a closer look at teen dating violence.
Teens will talk to and find confidence in each other before seeking guidance from adults. Therefore, sometimes parents are unaware of or able to detect if their child is suffering emotionally or physically from dating violence. Let this be a wake up call to us all as mothers, sisters, clergy, professionals, parishoners, teachers, students, etc. and BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!
For more information contact:
National Teen dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474 | 1-866-331-8453 TTY
www.loveisrespect.org
Let's explore this further(IL DV Manual and emphasis mine):
Teen dating violence often is hidden because teenagers typically:
*are inexperienced with dating relationships
*are pressured by peers to act violently
*want independence from parents
*have "romantic" views of love
The early warning signs of a potential abusive partner are similar to those of adults: Explosive behavior, extreme jealousy, quick involvement, unpredictable mood swings, isolating victim from family and friends, etc.
Parents, discuss these and other warning signs of domestic violence with your teenager(s). Here are a few signs to look for in teens that are involved in dating violence:
*Physical signs of injury
*Truancy, dropping out of school (multiple physical scars and bruises keeps the teen from attending school for fear of someone finding out about their situation)
*Failing grades
*Indecision (having doubt or uncertainities)
*Changes in mood or personaility
*Sudden use of alcohol/drugs
*Pregnancy (if a teen is pregnant multiple times a year and is having miscarriages/abortions, there's a possibilty that the abusive partner is refusing to use condoms during sexual intercourse)
*Emotional outbursts
*Isolation (The teen suddenly stays "locked" in their bedroom or anyplace in the house that allows them not to be seen for long periods of time. This is a way to hide bruises, scars and even pregnancies from parents)
So if you thought domestic violence only happens in the adult world, I hope this brief information has evolved you into taking a closer look at teen dating violence.
Teens will talk to and find confidence in each other before seeking guidance from adults. Therefore, sometimes parents are unaware of or able to detect if their child is suffering emotionally or physically from dating violence. Let this be a wake up call to us all as mothers, sisters, clergy, professionals, parishoners, teachers, students, etc. and BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!
For more information contact:
National Teen dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474 | 1-866-331-8453 TTY
www.loveisrespect.org
Sunday, August 15, 2010
I LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE
A dear friend of mine today "Tweeted" me in regards to the song, "I Love the Way You Lie", by Eminem and Rihanna. To my understanding, the song was/is believed to be embracing or dancing around issues of domestic violence. So naturally I logged onto iTunes and thus, I speak now or forever hold my peace about it:
My initial thoughts before watching the video (YouTube) and listening to this song (iTunes) was that, with Rihanna apart of this project, it must be about raising awareness of domestic violence. Due to her countless interviews regarding the alleged physical and emotional abuse she endured in her relationship with R&B superstar, Chris Brown. I admit, I'm not all the way clear on the video concept, so I'll have to watch it a few more times. I can say that I did see where the intersections of emotional and physical abuse, met throughout the video.
The lyrics expressed the heartfelt feelings of both the batterer and of the victim. They talked about how a couple involved in domestic violence go through the different stages: the good times together, the expolsive actions after the emotions have build up inside of the batterer and back again to the honeymoon stage or as before, the good times they had together. The honeymoon period in the cycle of violence, happens after the punches, kicks, degrading remarks and whatever other abusive actions intended or acted out on the victim. This is when the victim has had the "last straw" pulled and ready to leave the batterer. The batterer knows how to turn the "last straw" back to just another one being pulled. So here comes the "lies" as this song described also in the lyrics. Lies the batterer tells the victim: it won't happen again (it almost, always DOES) threats of bodily harm or even death if the victim leaves the batterer, the batterer will cry or make promises that they have no intentions of following suit on once they win the victims heart over again. This list is not limited at a host of other control tactics, batterers use to manipulate and coerce the victim to stay (please read previous blogs I've written explaining more indepth).
So overall, I applaud the artists for collaberating together to raise awareness of domestic violence and having a picture (video) to go along with it. I believe, someone, somewhere, sat and watched that video or read and/or heard the lyrics to the song and saw a reflection in themselves. A reflection of either the batterer or as the victim.
I am in total agreement with different tools and resources used to BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!!!
My initial thoughts before watching the video (YouTube) and listening to this song (iTunes) was that, with Rihanna apart of this project, it must be about raising awareness of domestic violence. Due to her countless interviews regarding the alleged physical and emotional abuse she endured in her relationship with R&B superstar, Chris Brown. I admit, I'm not all the way clear on the video concept, so I'll have to watch it a few more times. I can say that I did see where the intersections of emotional and physical abuse, met throughout the video.
The lyrics expressed the heartfelt feelings of both the batterer and of the victim. They talked about how a couple involved in domestic violence go through the different stages: the good times together, the expolsive actions after the emotions have build up inside of the batterer and back again to the honeymoon stage or as before, the good times they had together. The honeymoon period in the cycle of violence, happens after the punches, kicks, degrading remarks and whatever other abusive actions intended or acted out on the victim. This is when the victim has had the "last straw" pulled and ready to leave the batterer. The batterer knows how to turn the "last straw" back to just another one being pulled. So here comes the "lies" as this song described also in the lyrics. Lies the batterer tells the victim: it won't happen again (it almost, always DOES) threats of bodily harm or even death if the victim leaves the batterer, the batterer will cry or make promises that they have no intentions of following suit on once they win the victims heart over again. This list is not limited at a host of other control tactics, batterers use to manipulate and coerce the victim to stay (please read previous blogs I've written explaining more indepth).
So overall, I applaud the artists for collaberating together to raise awareness of domestic violence and having a picture (video) to go along with it. I believe, someone, somewhere, sat and watched that video or read and/or heard the lyrics to the song and saw a reflection in themselves. A reflection of either the batterer or as the victim.
I am in total agreement with different tools and resources used to BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!!!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
WHY DON'T YOU JUST LEAVE?
OMG this is probably the number one question that victims of domestic violence get from strangers or their friends and family......Why don't you just leave? Society isn't aware of the mindset of an abused victim of domestic violence, so to them it appears to be something simple and easy to do. Let's take a look at what the Illinois 40-Hour Domestic Violence Manual has to say about this:
Some women feel sorry for their abusers. At first it may seem incomprehensible that a person could feel sympathy for the person who causes her so much pain. It is important to remember however that society expects and conditions women to be loving, nurturing and forgiving. Since abusers are often contrite and beg for forgiveness after a beating, a woman may view leaving or divorce as the abandonment of a person that desperately needs help. To do that would mean that she has failed in her role as a devoted, patient and compassionate mate.
Women also find it difficult to get out of a violent relationship because of the psychological effects of living with an abuser. Almost without exception, women are subjected to varying degrees of emotional abuse. Women are told that they are incompetent, stupid, worthless and incapable of surviving without help and direction. Women are criticized for the way they look, the way they keep house, the way they raise their children. The effects of these verbal attacks must not be underestimated. Almost all battered women agree that this abuse is far more devastating that any physical injuries they have suffered. Physical injuries may heel, but emotional scars are hardest to detect and heal.
The result of these psychological beating, inflicted by a person who (supposedly) loves her, is that the woman herself comes to believe that there is some truth in what is said. That she could not survive on her own - she is stupid, worthless, ugly and simply does not deserve any better.
Emotional involvement isn't the only reason that a woman may stay in a violent relationship. Economic factors frequently play an important role. Some battered women lack job skills and experience, and even those who work outside the home often receive low wages and poor benefits. Women with good jobs are not protected; often they are harrassed at work and put in danger of loosing their jobs. If Welfare is not enough, if her wages are low, and if she cannot be certain that she can support herself and her family, a woman may eventually decide that being beaten is the price she must pay for financial survival.
Another reason that battered women don't leave their abusers is fear. It is not uncommon for a man to threaten that he will stalk a woman and kill her if she leaves. A woman is in MORE danger of being seriously injured or murdered when she leaves an abusive relationship than at any other time during the relationship.
Finally, getting out of an abusive relationship is often very difficult by a lack of community and social resources. Shelters and safe houses almost always operate at maximum capacity. In fact, Greenhouse (Chicago) has y=to turn away approximately 600-700 women and children per month because of lack of space. Women may have to wait for days or weeks before there is room for her and her children. Another major problem is finding some good legal counsel that is affordable, even assuming the woman lives in a state where there is protective legislation for battered women.
With all of that being said, has that changed any of your views of why a woman just may decide to stay in an abusive relationship? I pray that the next time you come across a domestic violence victim, you won't ask them this hurtful question or downplay their individual situation as leaving is something so easy and simple to do. Instead, try to reach out to them with providing helpful resources that will allow them to leave or setting up a safety plan for the day and hour that is upon them to leave their abusive partner.
HELP BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!!
Some women feel sorry for their abusers. At first it may seem incomprehensible that a person could feel sympathy for the person who causes her so much pain. It is important to remember however that society expects and conditions women to be loving, nurturing and forgiving. Since abusers are often contrite and beg for forgiveness after a beating, a woman may view leaving or divorce as the abandonment of a person that desperately needs help. To do that would mean that she has failed in her role as a devoted, patient and compassionate mate.
Women also find it difficult to get out of a violent relationship because of the psychological effects of living with an abuser. Almost without exception, women are subjected to varying degrees of emotional abuse. Women are told that they are incompetent, stupid, worthless and incapable of surviving without help and direction. Women are criticized for the way they look, the way they keep house, the way they raise their children. The effects of these verbal attacks must not be underestimated. Almost all battered women agree that this abuse is far more devastating that any physical injuries they have suffered. Physical injuries may heel, but emotional scars are hardest to detect and heal.
The result of these psychological beating, inflicted by a person who (supposedly) loves her, is that the woman herself comes to believe that there is some truth in what is said. That she could not survive on her own - she is stupid, worthless, ugly and simply does not deserve any better.
Emotional involvement isn't the only reason that a woman may stay in a violent relationship. Economic factors frequently play an important role. Some battered women lack job skills and experience, and even those who work outside the home often receive low wages and poor benefits. Women with good jobs are not protected; often they are harrassed at work and put in danger of loosing their jobs. If Welfare is not enough, if her wages are low, and if she cannot be certain that she can support herself and her family, a woman may eventually decide that being beaten is the price she must pay for financial survival.
Another reason that battered women don't leave their abusers is fear. It is not uncommon for a man to threaten that he will stalk a woman and kill her if she leaves. A woman is in MORE danger of being seriously injured or murdered when she leaves an abusive relationship than at any other time during the relationship.
Finally, getting out of an abusive relationship is often very difficult by a lack of community and social resources. Shelters and safe houses almost always operate at maximum capacity. In fact, Greenhouse (Chicago) has y=to turn away approximately 600-700 women and children per month because of lack of space. Women may have to wait for days or weeks before there is room for her and her children. Another major problem is finding some good legal counsel that is affordable, even assuming the woman lives in a state where there is protective legislation for battered women.
With all of that being said, has that changed any of your views of why a woman just may decide to stay in an abusive relationship? I pray that the next time you come across a domestic violence victim, you won't ask them this hurtful question or downplay their individual situation as leaving is something so easy and simple to do. Instead, try to reach out to them with providing helpful resources that will allow them to leave or setting up a safety plan for the day and hour that is upon them to leave their abusive partner.
HELP BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
CELEBRATE WHO YOU ARE
Ever thought you were just weird and no one quite understands who you really are? What about a hobby, that if you had the time and money, you would pursue it as a possible career for yourself? Or how about that thing/object that puts you in another place whenever you interact with it? If those questions stirred up the innermost parts of you, learn to celebrate who are no matter how weird or odd people may assume that you are.
Mothers often take on a chaotic role and become too consumed as the person incharge of the household demands. Too often, they forget about who they were before they became a wife, girlfriend or mother. I know, I know...I can hear you saying to me,..."You just don't know all the things I have to do day in and day out for my family"......or how about, "They can't survive a hour without me". If this sounds like you, get ready to embrace a new you after reading this.
Let's further dissect this celebration a bit further: I enjoy reading all kinds of books. I steal away weekly from my career and my children and take my blankey, journal, nice cup of joe (coffee) and the book of my choice and go to different designations and get lost in the world of reading. I recognize everyone is not a bookworm like myself. Try to go see a FREE admission to a live jazz band, visit your local art museums and coffee shops, bookstores, and now that its summer time, talk a long walk along the beach and meditate on how good God has been to you. Have a picnic lunch also at the beach or take a mile long bike ride, bring your skates too. Invite others that also enjoy your hobby and start a weekly or monthly group to display new and upcoming progress or events. Take up free classes at the local art supplies stores for hobbies such as knitting and painting. Whatever makes you happy, do it or bring it with you to those places.
Want to make a career out of your hobby? Visit your local library and research your hobby and learn the history of your hobby and see what lessons those before you learned about it as well. Surf the web on your hobby and make notes of other pros and cons that weren't listed in some of the older books at the library. Read the consumer comments below the product of whatever your hobby consists of. For example, if you like freelance photography and you are interested in buying a camaera, read the comments of other camera consumers that the online stores provide potential customers with.
Most women that have dealt with domestic violence have had to put a hold on their dreams, hobbies and goals in pursuit of the happiness of their abusive partner. NO MORE ladies!!! Get out and enjoy life and CELEBRATE WHO YOU ARE! If you don't, no one else will care about what interests you outside of your family life. Victims, it may have been awhile, but recall what makes you happy deep down inside and began to reach out to it again. Survivors, now that you are well on your road of freedom so to speak, no more excuses, get busy celebrating who you are!
Read Proverbs 31 the chapter about the virtuous woman of God. She was a great wife, mother and a wonderful and skillful woman outside of her family. So you see, long before me and you were born, God created women to be able to multi-task.....think about it, it almost comes naturally to do for some of us...LOL
HELP BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Mothers often take on a chaotic role and become too consumed as the person incharge of the household demands. Too often, they forget about who they were before they became a wife, girlfriend or mother. I know, I know...I can hear you saying to me,..."You just don't know all the things I have to do day in and day out for my family"......or how about, "They can't survive a hour without me". If this sounds like you, get ready to embrace a new you after reading this.
Let's further dissect this celebration a bit further: I enjoy reading all kinds of books. I steal away weekly from my career and my children and take my blankey, journal, nice cup of joe (coffee) and the book of my choice and go to different designations and get lost in the world of reading. I recognize everyone is not a bookworm like myself. Try to go see a FREE admission to a live jazz band, visit your local art museums and coffee shops, bookstores, and now that its summer time, talk a long walk along the beach and meditate on how good God has been to you. Have a picnic lunch also at the beach or take a mile long bike ride, bring your skates too. Invite others that also enjoy your hobby and start a weekly or monthly group to display new and upcoming progress or events. Take up free classes at the local art supplies stores for hobbies such as knitting and painting. Whatever makes you happy, do it or bring it with you to those places.
Want to make a career out of your hobby? Visit your local library and research your hobby and learn the history of your hobby and see what lessons those before you learned about it as well. Surf the web on your hobby and make notes of other pros and cons that weren't listed in some of the older books at the library. Read the consumer comments below the product of whatever your hobby consists of. For example, if you like freelance photography and you are interested in buying a camaera, read the comments of other camera consumers that the online stores provide potential customers with.
Most women that have dealt with domestic violence have had to put a hold on their dreams, hobbies and goals in pursuit of the happiness of their abusive partner. NO MORE ladies!!! Get out and enjoy life and CELEBRATE WHO YOU ARE! If you don't, no one else will care about what interests you outside of your family life. Victims, it may have been awhile, but recall what makes you happy deep down inside and began to reach out to it again. Survivors, now that you are well on your road of freedom so to speak, no more excuses, get busy celebrating who you are!
Read Proverbs 31 the chapter about the virtuous woman of God. She was a great wife, mother and a wonderful and skillful woman outside of her family. So you see, long before me and you were born, God created women to be able to multi-task.....think about it, it almost comes naturally to do for some of us...LOL
HELP BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Monday, August 2, 2010
GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD
I arrived at my monthly domestic violence support group meeting about an hour early. I often visit this place to clear my head, enjoy nature and capture every essence of God. Due to privacy of the members, I can't reveal the exact location, but I will tell you this:
At this place, you get to see the life of yourself and others. Nature's assignment was also complete with flowers, birds, beautiful and endless roads of water. The environment overall was peaceful.
I took my journal and the book I'm reading now: Their Eyes Were Watching God. It reminded me of what heaven must be like. In the midst of this exclusive meditation time with God, I said a silent prayer of thanksgiving. Thankful for God allowing me to grasp the peace of God that passes all understandings. The understandings of why I'm here in this world. Understanding the strength and courage it takes to began a new life or existence. Understanding how to be thankful for the smallest blessings in life. Such as watching boats big and small sail by, headed to unknown destinations. An older couple walking and holding hands, not knowing how long it took to gain an admiration for each other's company. A child running across the horizon, while his mom stands in awe of his simple excitment. Understanding and being thankful for a good night's rest. When I was a victim of domestic violence, getting some sleep was a luxury.
We all have ups and downs in life. We all have a story to tell, I can guarentee you that. But what I've learned throughout this unpredictable journey of life is to take out moments in my day, and thank God for allowing me to reap the benefits of His mighty blessings. Whenever you come across a roadblock in your life, reach down into your soul and find the true promises of God. Find the good reasons to be thankful in the bad situations, and continue to be thankful for EVERYTHING!!!
Below are some scriptures to help you understand in depth of giving thanks unto the Lord:
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4)
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
(1 Chronicles 16:34)
HELP BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!
At this place, you get to see the life of yourself and others. Nature's assignment was also complete with flowers, birds, beautiful and endless roads of water. The environment overall was peaceful.
I took my journal and the book I'm reading now: Their Eyes Were Watching God. It reminded me of what heaven must be like. In the midst of this exclusive meditation time with God, I said a silent prayer of thanksgiving. Thankful for God allowing me to grasp the peace of God that passes all understandings. The understandings of why I'm here in this world. Understanding the strength and courage it takes to began a new life or existence. Understanding how to be thankful for the smallest blessings in life. Such as watching boats big and small sail by, headed to unknown destinations. An older couple walking and holding hands, not knowing how long it took to gain an admiration for each other's company. A child running across the horizon, while his mom stands in awe of his simple excitment. Understanding and being thankful for a good night's rest. When I was a victim of domestic violence, getting some sleep was a luxury.
We all have ups and downs in life. We all have a story to tell, I can guarentee you that. But what I've learned throughout this unpredictable journey of life is to take out moments in my day, and thank God for allowing me to reap the benefits of His mighty blessings. Whenever you come across a roadblock in your life, reach down into your soul and find the true promises of God. Find the good reasons to be thankful in the bad situations, and continue to be thankful for EVERYTHING!!!
Below are some scriptures to help you understand in depth of giving thanks unto the Lord:
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4)
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
(1 Chronicles 16:34)
HELP BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!
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