It’s difficult to see people’s wide eyes in witnessing abuse in families and literally turn away. I think that the reason Jesus told the parable about the Good Samaritan (which is my favorite parable, by the way) is because He knows that 2/3 of people won’t stop for the man who was beaten on the side of the road.
But God.
When man failed me, Jesus never did. And I will always aim to be the Good Samaritan if I see abuse occurring.
Thank you for sharing your story, especially from the perspective of a person who follows Jesus. I appreciate it so much.
We should never turn our backs on an abusive situation regardless of the consequences. It’s wrong to only help when we believe we won’t have to pay a price. What we permit, we promote. Courage is the most important trait a person can have. It takes courage to fight evil & we can’t just fight when we know we can win. That’s not courage.
WOW as a teacher I just want to apologize in retrospect for that teacher asking you something so personal in front of a class! She must have been outside of her tiny mind, there's not another way of explaining it honestly. Who does that? She could have really helped you if she'd had that information and also had more emotional intelligence than a squashed frog, but unfortunately...
Even if they had told your mom, she may not have changed. My father was abusive too. When my youth group leader asked him about it, I thought perhaps he'd change, the same as you. Instead, he beat me harder that evening because he thought I had told on him and was a "traitor."
It’s very hard to get authorities to DO anything. Family court is useless. Judges don’t listen and still let the abusive parent continue. I have experience. My 3 boys were damaged by their abusive narcissistic borderline father. No one helped me no matter how much proof I had.
They are adults now and only one of them speaks to me a little bit. Their father destroyed our relationships. It’s been 30 years and a very long story.
Reading this as an adult, and seeing the situations adults get in, I wonder if they felt that if they confronted her, she would have punished you more for speaking up. I remember a teacher telling how helpless he was when children told him of abuse because when he did contact the authorities nothing was ever done even though the abuse was terrible. All he could do was tell those poor kids not to become like their parents.
I agree it can backfire. And contacting authorities is waste of time. Still if nobody do nothing we are at least certain that nothing will change. So I would say, if I see a child suffer. Pray, and obey if God gives an instruction. It might save a life.
There is a book called Mending the Soul, a book with a completely Christian and Christ-centered outlook. There is even a workbook to go along with it. Jesus pursued you always, never wanting you to be that lost sheep. He offers rest and deepest love. He demonstrated that to you by coming to see you. I grew up in a household like yours, only it was my father who witnessed the beatings and never said a word to stop them. I forgave my parents and moved on. There are painful memories but the love of the Savior is oh so much more gratifying. Cannot wait to hug Him in heaven. Thank you for sharing your story. You never left your love of Jesus. Such a powerful testimony.
People think they are supposed to mind their own business. They also think a mother or father has a right to parent her own child as she wishes, without input from others, sadly even if it’s abusive. I wish we could do more to help innocent children.
Unfortunately many people will refuse to act if it hurts them personally. I have a prodigal child whom I have not heard from in 2 1/2 years. All of my family will talk to her but they will never urge her to call me because they are afraid she will stop talking to them also. Her father (my ex-husband) also falls into this category. I would never allow her to treat him this way, but apparently he doesn't care if she treats me this way. All I can do is pray that she wakes up on her own some day. Your angel encounter was such a comfort to me, thank you for your testimony.
Some may need information and counsel, be fine, or better, get on same side of the problem and solve it. But society teaches anger and hostility, and nothing gets solved til too late.
I would say it all depends on the heart. If a parent abuse in the first place there are plenty of red flags about that person’s heart though. I am not so sure as to how many of those are interested in changing, but of course it is possible. I just haven’t seen it myself.
I tried to survive the best I could even though it was hard. In Norway many people has a problem with their backbone and it is easiest to turn a blind eye to avoid trouble.
It’s difficult to see people’s wide eyes in witnessing abuse in families and literally turn away. I think that the reason Jesus told the parable about the Good Samaritan (which is my favorite parable, by the way) is because He knows that 2/3 of people won’t stop for the man who was beaten on the side of the road.
But God.
When man failed me, Jesus never did. And I will always aim to be the Good Samaritan if I see abuse occurring.
Thank you for sharing your story, especially from the perspective of a person who follows Jesus. I appreciate it so much.
We should never turn our backs on an abusive situation regardless of the consequences. It’s wrong to only help when we believe we won’t have to pay a price. What we permit, we promote. Courage is the most important trait a person can have. It takes courage to fight evil & we can’t just fight when we know we can win. That’s not courage.
Well said.
WOW as a teacher I just want to apologize in retrospect for that teacher asking you something so personal in front of a class! She must have been outside of her tiny mind, there's not another way of explaining it honestly. Who does that? She could have really helped you if she'd had that information and also had more emotional intelligence than a squashed frog, but unfortunately...
Yes I think she realised that, and maybe why she just turned back to teaching as if nothing had happened...
I think people have a really hard time believing that a mother figure can actually be abusive. They just don't take it seriously.
True, because it is natural to think that if someone gets a child it is because they are wanted and loved.
If they had "helped " you in the way you imagined, then you may have been put in an even worse situation or outcome. I look forward to the Day when
Abba Father will take away all pain suffered on Earth. Say to evil, The Lord Rebuke you! JUDE 1:9
Yes, unfortunately sometimes it might backfire. But in my case the Larsen family were so close that I think she wouldn't have dared to continue.
Even if they had told your mom, she may not have changed. My father was abusive too. When my youth group leader asked him about it, I thought perhaps he'd change, the same as you. Instead, he beat me harder that evening because he thought I had told on him and was a "traitor."
It’s very hard to get authorities to DO anything. Family court is useless. Judges don’t listen and still let the abusive parent continue. I have experience. My 3 boys were damaged by their abusive narcissistic borderline father. No one helped me no matter how much proof I had.
Unfortunately very few believes the victim. I hope you have people around you that care about you and your boys.
They are adults now and only one of them speaks to me a little bit. Their father destroyed our relationships. It’s been 30 years and a very long story.
Sad to hear that. Unfortunately not uncommon at all.
This broke my heart. So sorry you had to seemingly unnecessarily suffer through this when help was so close yet so far.
Reading this as an adult, and seeing the situations adults get in, I wonder if they felt that if they confronted her, she would have punished you more for speaking up. I remember a teacher telling how helpless he was when children told him of abuse because when he did contact the authorities nothing was ever done even though the abuse was terrible. All he could do was tell those poor kids not to become like their parents.
I agree it can backfire. And contacting authorities is waste of time. Still if nobody do nothing we are at least certain that nothing will change. So I would say, if I see a child suffer. Pray, and obey if God gives an instruction. It might save a life.
There is a book called Mending the Soul, a book with a completely Christian and Christ-centered outlook. There is even a workbook to go along with it. Jesus pursued you always, never wanting you to be that lost sheep. He offers rest and deepest love. He demonstrated that to you by coming to see you. I grew up in a household like yours, only it was my father who witnessed the beatings and never said a word to stop them. I forgave my parents and moved on. There are painful memories but the love of the Savior is oh so much more gratifying. Cannot wait to hug Him in heaven. Thank you for sharing your story. You never left your love of Jesus. Such a powerful testimony.
People think they are supposed to mind their own business. They also think a mother or father has a right to parent her own child as she wishes, without input from others, sadly even if it’s abusive. I wish we could do more to help innocent children.
I agree strongly. Jesus wants us to care about others.
Unfortunately many people will refuse to act if it hurts them personally. I have a prodigal child whom I have not heard from in 2 1/2 years. All of my family will talk to her but they will never urge her to call me because they are afraid she will stop talking to them also. Her father (my ex-husband) also falls into this category. I would never allow her to treat him this way, but apparently he doesn't care if she treats me this way. All I can do is pray that she wakes up on her own some day. Your angel encounter was such a comfort to me, thank you for your testimony.
I hope you get contact with you daughter again.
God cares, and I still remember this encounter even though it is over 35 years ago.
Some may need information and counsel, be fine, or better, get on same side of the problem and solve it. But society teaches anger and hostility, and nothing gets solved til too late.
Do you think if parents felt safe, but told on, they would address why they were having the issues and get help?
Most parents were probably abused or are overstressed too.
And most other parents may realize how close they have come….
I’m thankful Jesus came to you!
I would say it all depends on the heart. If a parent abuse in the first place there are plenty of red flags about that person’s heart though. I am not so sure as to how many of those are interested in changing, but of course it is possible. I just haven’t seen it myself.
I am so grateful Jesus cares!
Or maybe you played too good
Or people avoided feel uncomfortable , easier look in another.direction
I tried to survive the best I could even though it was hard. In Norway many people has a problem with their backbone and it is easiest to turn a blind eye to avoid trouble.
I laughed Smiling Nobody saw through my laughter. Too clever, I fooled everybody made the sadist keep his charming immage