Proverbs 17:6
Children?s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Thirty-four years ago this week a miracle was born unto me, a baby girl with curly brown hair and a smile that will light up the remainder of my days.? Happy birthday to my only child Wendy, I am so thankful that God knew best, and blessed me with you.
Born twenty-five years later this same week was my one and only grandchild. Just yesterday I was changing her diapers and now she is celebrating her ninth birthday. I truly believe that children are gifts straight from Heaven, but grandchildren are blessings that give more joy than anything money could ever buy.
Thinking about my two special girls my mind drifts to children in this world who are not cherished, but battered, abused, hungry and cold. In a national survey of American families, 50% of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children.
These statistics barely scrape the surface. Numbers are only as true as the people who report the incidents. Many children as well as their abused mothers, and yes, sometimes abused fathers hide the ugly truth of what life is like inside the walls of their home. For so many reasons they hide the bruises: embarrassment, fear, or the desire to fit in with the ?so called? normal of this world. In reality bad exists and some are not who they appear to be.
What can we do? We can start by educating ourselves, offering help to those in abusive situations. In my novel, Guardian Spirit I address the issue of domestic violence. Millie, the mother of two children runs away from her abusive husband. It took courage for Millie to escape the strong hold of her husband, but she knew if her and her children were to survive she must run.
That?s the message I want others to hear when they read Guardian Spirit. If you are in a bad situation I pray you will find the courage to escape within the pages of Guardian Spirit.
May God watch over His precious children, and strengthen those of us who care for them to keep them safe. No one should have to live in fear.
An excerpt from Guardian Spirit:
?I?m hungry. When can we stop and eat??
As Sammy sat up, he rubbed his eyes and looked out the window up ahead at the mountains and then down through the valleys. He could see for miles, both ways.
?What is all that stuff down there? Where are we??
?That stuff down there is houses and barns and land. It?s the same way it would look from the sky if we were up in an airplane.?
?I?m not going up in any airplane. I saw that picture in the newspaper when one fell out of the sky. I?m never going to do that, never.?
?No, honey. We?re not going to fly in an airplane, we?re going home.?
A terrified look crossed Sammy?s little face, his eyes misted and he caught his breath. ?Home? But I thought we didn?t ever have to go back there again. You promised.? Sammy?s voice was soft and shaking.
Millie stopped the car at the next pullover. She turned around and looked into her son?s eyes, bright with fright. The cut beneath his eye was healing nicely, but the whole side of his face was still a dark purple.
?Come here, Sweetie.?
Sammy crawled over the seat and snuggled up next to his mama.
?No, we?re not going back to Texas. We are far, far away from there now. Look at me, both of you. I promise you as long as there is breath in me your daddy will never lay another hand on any of us ever again, especially you two.
Link to Guardian Spirit?s book trailer:
Please find below information where you may find help if you are in an abusive relationship:
Anonymous and Confidential Help 24/7
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 1.800.787.3224 (TTY)
The Red Flag Campaign: The first statewide public awareness campaign to address dating violence and promote its prevention.
http://www.theredflagcampaign.org/index.php/dating-violence/red-flags-for-abusive-relationships/
Links and help aids for Abused or Battered Women: Domestic Violence Shelters and Support ? local and regional.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_help_treatment_
prevention.htm
New Identities for Domestic Violence Victims
http://ssa.gov/pubs/10093.html
Help for Teens:
?Love Doesn?t Have to Hurt?
http://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/love-teens.pdf
safehorizon
Moving victims of violence from crisis to confidence.
