A packed suitcase...

 A packed suitcase....

https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/statistics/domestic-violence-statistics

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/12-things-everyone-help-victims-domestic-violence

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/domestic-violence/art-20048397

https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/get-help/state-resources

I don’t even know why I am supposed to write this...but it has been on my heart this week...

Recently, I learned that an old acquaintance, whose children are in college, had passed away tragically...I knew her pre-children, her infectious joy, bubbly personality, always a smile and a kind word for everyone, her faith, her newly married fun...

I moved away and lost touch, but knew she was still in the same community, serving and spreading her smiles everywhere...

But, there must have entered a darker side over the years...not sure how many knew about...but, she had a packed suitcase and was exiting her marriage...when her husband killed her and then himself, much to the dismay of family, community....”how could this happen here?”, “to them?”, “why?”....

Oh, we can blame the “pandemic”, cultural problems, but the truth is evil exists...it has since the beginning, the temptations to go against God and go our own way...

You just have to read over and over “and he did was was evil in the sight of the Lord” to know that evil exists... or simply read the daily newspaper...

Abuse, some hidden away, some open for all to see, exists, across economic/social/cultural/racial/religious lines....and there is help for those who can reach out...through intervention, counseling, friends, safe houses, churches, family, local authorities...

Care for the families...love those around...lend a helping hand...take a meal...hold a hand...take a simple walk...listen to the heartache...lead them to the Shepherd...thank YOU...

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

He leads me beside still waters. 

He restores my soul. 

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6