The Greek term translated ‘widow’ (chera) means ‘bereft’ and conveys a sense of suffering loss or being left alone. The term does not tell us how a woman became a widow and, therefore the cause is not limited to a husband’s death. – John MacArthur (Caring for Widows) Twice last week, at separate times, I heard the same question out…
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That First Christmas (After Divorce)
Christmas is just days away. The decorations were up early this year. They’re beautiful. And we’ve been joyfully listening to Christmas music since November 1st. There is a happiness in the air that has been missing the last few years. Maybe, many, many years if I am honestly admitting to how bad things really were. Especially during the holidays. Now…
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The Difference Between Victim and Survivor
Recently, during some college courses, I wrote a paper on domestic violence. This 35-page thesis educated me even more than my abnormal psych classes and experience combined. Reading the Warning Signs and Red Flags on The National Domestic Violence Hotline (click all the tabs to learn more about “Emotional Abuse,” “Sexual Abuse & Coercion”, and “Financial Abuse”) brought back some painful memories….
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I Will Keep Speaking Out (About Abuse)
I’ve been actively speaking up against domestic abuse (violence, batterers, adulterers, etc.) for the last two years. Speaking up against sin that is the abuse at the hands of a husband. Adultery is included in that abuse definition. It was two years ago, this week, that a friend and fellow homeschool mom was killed, along with her teenage son, by her…
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I Will No Longer Take the Blame for the Abuse
You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.” – Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life I grew up hearing how I “made” my mother mad. (Blame?) You know what? I probably did some things that would provoke anger in…
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Toxic People Cannot Understand Your Heart
Most toxic people have undiagnosed personality disorders – narcissists, psychopaths, and sociopaths. They are the conscious abusers of this world. But I’ll just call them “toxic people” today. One big red flag that you are dealing with a toxic person is the sign of projection when you try to share your feelings or hurts. Toxic people have little to no…
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Domestic Violence Awareness
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Statistics put out by the CDC, say 1 in 4 women have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. One in four is a lot of women. And domestic violence doesn’t know race, religion, financial status or educational choices. It’s pretty universally spread across the board, in the human race. I know homeschooling families are affected as…
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