Many of us may wish to disregard this message because it does not directly impact us personally. However, I admonish you to give thought to the fact that a family member or friend may be suffering because of abuse or domestic violence. Every smiling face is not living at peace in a happy home.

Domestic violence is real and we must not ignore the possibilities of persons remaining in an abusive relationship because of fear or economic pressures. Anyone can be the victim of domestic violence, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or class.

According to the Center for Family Justice, domestic abuse is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that is an erosive life-threatening crime affecting people in all communities.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic there has been an alarming rise in domestic violence and intimate partner violence according to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine. It is reported that approximately one in four women and one in nine men experience intimate partner violence.           

If you are a victim or know someone suffering from domestic violence or abuse, pick up the telephone and dial 203-333-2233. Please do not continue to live in agony and pain, allowing someone else to control your life.

Let us not be deceived by the pretentious actions of persons in public whereby they appear to be a perfect couple or family, but behind the walls of their home, it is an entirely different story. I am aware of a case where the grandmother is being psychologically abused by her son and grandson, but is too afraid to go to the authorities to report them. How miserable and broken this grandmother is in having to daily face the fear of these two young men. 

The question becomes, “What can we do to help?” Recently, Genesis Covenant Church received information from the Office of the Sheriff, Domestic Violence Division, Prince George’s County, Maryland stated that there has been a substantial increase in domestic violence cases, and that resources are desperately needed to support victims.

We are grateful to many of you for providing a variety of non-perishable foods, women and men clothing, diapers, pull-ups, wipes, blankets, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, body lotion, and other needed items. These items will be given to persons who may be leaving an abusive situation. Your vast donations will be a blessing for this population of people.

A very profound passage of scripture tells us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” We know that when God stirs our hearts to give, we experience the satisfaction of pleasing God. Matthew 25: 44-45 reads, “They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”                   

I believe Romans 12:10 will help us understand how we are to better treat one another. For we are called to “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” When we honor another person, it means that we respect and value them, and if we value and love someone, we will not abuse or mistreat them.

May this message be a reminder as to how we are called to treat one another, be it in our homes, workplace, communities, etc. Treat others the way you would want to be treated, and I promise you, life will be better for yourself and others.

Not a sermon, just my thoughts!

Robert Earl Slade, Pastor