Deliverance from the nightmare of spousal abuse. by Kay May with Muriel Larson Norm seemed like such a nice guy when we dated. He had a great sense of humor, and we laughed a lot. We went to church together. He professed to be a Christian and even taught a Bible school class. Little…
Read moreCategory: Home and Family
Good for Something
Seeing our worth in the eyes of God. by JoAnn Wray “Stop squirming! Hold still while I tie your shoe.” Whack! The frustrated mother slapped the four-year-old across the face. Then she twisted his arm for emphasis. “I said hold still!” The boy looked at his mom, bewildered. I could see his pain clearly….
Read moreHealing for the Hateful Heart
A woman learns to cut loose the ties the bind. by Lynne Collins* as told to Muriel Larson I was twenty when it happened. One evening I was washing dishes in the kitchen sink. The sound of the television in the living room kept my baby content; I could hear him banging his toys….
Read moreHelping Victims of Domestic Violence
When ignorance isn’t bliss. by Bette Nordberg When Nita moved in across the street, Susan was delighted to find that her new neighbor was also a full-time mom. Over time their friendship grew to include carpooling duties and occasional morning coffee. Though Susan had never known anyone in a violent relationship, it wasn’t long…
Read moreHoly Hypocrite
Singing, serving, smiling — but looks can be deceiving. by Don Cox as told to Muriel Larson In my home, I was the king; my family members were the peasants. At least that was the way I saw things. Whenever there was the slightest resistance to my will, my violent temper could assert itself….
Read moreHonor My Mother?
A new adventure of biblical truth. by Betty Smith Sixteen-year-old Angela struggled to find the chord among the piano keys. She pressed a combination. The sound made me cringe. “It’s okay,” I assured her. As I reached for the keyboard, I felt my heart quickening. My hand trembled as it hovered over the keys….
Read moreLearning to Feel Again
by Beth Swain Relieved, I watched the counselor gather his papers without asking me that dreaded question. Then, as if an afterthought, he asked, “Oh, was there any sexual abuse?” There it was. “You mean with me?” I asked, attempting a casual facade. Still, my quivering voice betrayed me. “Yes, with you.” His kind…
Read moreMidst Roses and Concrete
Finding forgiveness for the deepest hurts. by Shirley A. Reynolds On a concrete bench in a mausoleum courtyard, I tried to muster courage. Shaking my fist at the foliage, I said, “I’m not leaving until I’ve emptied my heart of this anger toward my mother.” Oh Mama, I thought. Why did you use a…
Read moreThe Power of Pain
The suffering of Christ gives newmeaning to a suffering man. by Douglas Hainer as told to Marguerite Tustan My earliest memory is being struck in the head with the butt of a rifle. It was my fourth birthday. My older sister, jealous of the attention I was receiving, hit me so hard that I…
Read moreThe Ugly Truth About Child Abuse
Understanding past and present influencesto find freedom for the future. by Muriel Larson My dedicated Christian friend, Melissa*, told me, “The memory of that awful experience when I was four has been indelibly seared into my mind; I have relived it again and again. It has profoundly affected my whole life. It is the…
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