WHO WILL SPEAK FOR THE CHILDREN OF FAMILIES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

A few Saturdays ago, I attended the Not To Believers Like Us (N2BLU) Seminar on Domestic and Family Violence. Someone once said that confession is good for the soul; so I am confessing that prior to attending the seminar, I was totally ignorant of the statistical data associated with domestic violence. The specificity of violence was an eye-opener for me, and having spoken with victims of domestic violence, I was even more baffled by the fact that violence of this magnitude actually exists. I have never doubted that domestic and family violence occur, I just did not know to what extent. And to know the different facets of violence were even more disturbing so much so that it caused me to reflect back to March 1989, when my best friend and college roommate was fatally stabbed to death as a result of violence at the hands of a boyfriend.

The information and resources available at the seminar were astronomical with emphasis placed mainly on battered women - which I can understand because more women are battered than men - but, what about the children? How do they cope with violence in the family and who speaks for them? I have noticed lately that the media is exposing perpetrators who are taking advantage of babies and younger children. (This does not excludes older children and adults). Just recently a perpetrator was arrested for having sexually molested a three-year-old girl for four years. And it appeared, according to the media, that the girl was so traumatized, she totally blotted out what had happened to her. This is just one story. There are many. Some we hear about; some we do not. Some are in other cities, states, and countries; some are in our neighborhoods.

We, as a society, must get involved and speak up for those who can not speak for themselves. Children are being killed, stolen, sold, and used as "sex objects". If we do not speak for them - WHO WILL? If we do not do it now - WHEN? Love and compassion are virtues of Jesus Christ which we must exemplify. We can no longer be silent because no family (house) is exempt, and violence has no regard to race, creed, color, national origin, or gender. Victims of domestic and family violence are hurting, and we must be an advocate for them and their children. We do care, and from the seminar, we may now be in a better posture to identify and understand the emotional scars associated with abuse. I pray that God will soften our hearts so that the victims can feel safe and secure in seeking the help they so desperately need. "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9) BE BLESSED MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND STAY PRAYERFUL!

LORD, I OWE YOU SO MUCH! I OWE YOU EVERYTHING!

Reflecting back over my life during the time when I accepted Christ as my Savior, and Him having called me out of darkness into His marvelous light, I realize that I owe Jesus "every ounce of my being". I owe Him the best that I have - my talents, my service and devotion, my all. By rendering service to Jesus, I must follow His examples by serving my fellowman. The qualities of good character, a virtuous life, a sense of dependability, a right attitude of kindness and love toward my neighbors and all with whom I come in contact, being just in my dealings with my fellowman, helping in times of need, sickness, or distress, being temperate in all things, and avoiding anything harmful to my body are also owed to Him.

As His servant, I have an obligation to the church by witnessing about the goodness and wondrous love and redemption found in Jesus Christ. Matthew 22:21 states " . . . Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's". Therefore, I must support the church financially as the Lord has prospered me in an effort for the Lord's work to continue.

My spiritual strength comes from my desire to grow in grace and the consummation of that desire filters through a life of prayer and Bible study so that my service will be unto His glory. And, while I may fall far short of my duties and obligations to God and the church, His grace is sufficient for me to continue climbing up the mountain of despair by way of leading me around the stumbling blocks that Satan puts in my path. God's favor and my faith allow me to count it all joy when I am tried and tested, and I can rejoice in spite of my circumstances. JESUS has already overcome the world. LORD, SPEAK TO ME SO THAT I MAY SPEAK!