If Walls Could Talk

If the walls in your house could talk, would you be embarrassed or ashamed at what they would say? Would you try to silence them? Would you try to make them forget about today, yesterday, last week, last month, and /or last year? Would your walls be able to say that you treat your spouse, children, and/or elderly parents with love, respect, compassion and patience? Would your walls be able to say that you over-discipline your children? If your neighbor or church family member ask you to discipline his/her child, would you discipline them with the same measure of patience and understanding that you discipline your own children with or would you be a little less harsh and impatient for the same offense as your own child?

If your walls could talk, would they sound the alarm of how you have shown lack of forbearance and self-control when caring for the elderly, mentally ill, or physically handicapped? This is ugly, but it happens. When there is a loss of income, financial hardship, loss of perceived control, living in close quarters, loss of a place for escape, there is a potential rise in violence, abuse, and neglect.  While the world is so focused and concerned about how not to contract the virus, let us not forget about these sicknesses that have been plaguing homes for centuries.  

Currently, husbands and wives are spending more time with each other like never before… literally, twenty- four/seven. The same applies with children. The responsibility of teaching/schooling the children has fallen on the parents. Many of these parents feel ill-equipped, which is causing anxiety.

Since the quarantine, people who already were victims of violence, abuse, and neglect, have no place to run, hide, or escape. In some homes, the workplace and schools provided a temporary safe place to escape and a healthy distraction from the horrid dysfunctions of home. Whereas too much time in the workplace previously caused types of dysfunction… now, too much time at home can trigger family dysfunctions, especially abuse. There are many articles on the web, issuing warnings with discussions concerning the rise of domestic violence and child abuse. The home has become more of a disadvantage than an advantage (Patrick, 2020).

You might be asking yourself, “How can I help, if I cannot leave the house?” You can help by reaching out by phone, text, and private messaging.  There are Department of Human Services or Elderly Abuse hotlines for reporting suspicion. Let’s face it, some of you have some suspicion and have decided to ‘mind your own business’. You are already convinced from asking yourself, “What if I am wrong?” But what if you are right?

The doors of churches are closed unfortunately. We can’t pass this on for pastors and church leaders for comfort. We have to find a way through prayer, faith, and taking risks.

If anyone is reading this blog and needs assistance, please seek help. At the end there will be information to guide you. At the same time, seek the Lord. I can help you with that as well. “¹⁷ The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. ¹⁸ The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit”, Psalm 34:17-18. Not only for the victims but also for the offenders, there is help for you also. “⁶ Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. ⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. ⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts”, Isaiah 55:6-9.

Heavenly Father, please heal broken homes and broken-hearted today. You are our protector and our shepherd. We are garrisoned in your loving arms. Cause peace to reign in disruptive violent homes, oh God. Change the hearts and minds of offenders. Comfort the hurting Lord. You are the merciful God of all comfort from all troubles. Be all of that and more for everyone… the grieving, emotionally, physically, mentally, financially hurt, and those who are worried. Thank you for not forgetting about us and is providing a way. Help us to trust in you and wait on your timing, for this too shall pass. In Jesus’ majestic and mighty name, I believe, Amen.

What must I do to be saved? Email me at: Thykingdomcomem1@gmail.com

I can and want to help!

The journey flows…

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How to Report Domestic Violence:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline website is filled with resources, tips, and links to further information to help victims stay safe. They have a hotline for victims and survivors that is staffed around the clock. They invite those who are in need of assistance or support to contact them at 1-800-799-7233. They even provide an option for victims who feel they are unable to find a safe place for a phone call to log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.

The bottom line is that even in a time of crisis, help is available. For some victims, becoming familiar with available resources is the first step. Knowing where to go and who to call provides many victims with a sense of relief even in the absence of current abuse, because knowledge is power (Patrick, 2020, para. 12-13)

 Reference: Patrick, Wendy, JD, PhD, (2020). Domestic Violence: Domestic Abuse During Quarantine: When the Threat Is Inside. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-bad-looks-good/202003/domestic-abuse-during-quarantine-when-the-threat-is-inside

Child Abuse Reporting:

https://dss.sc.gov/abuseneglect/report-child-abuse-and-neglect/

Adult Protective Services and Elder Abuse:

Adult Protective Services assist vulnerable and elder adults to stop and prevent abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Anyone can make a report about suspected abuse to the Hotline.Phone: 

Adult Abuse Hotline: (800) 222-8000Caregiver Eligibility:   Adults age 60 or older and adults with disabilities