Series of tips at the dinner table

Caroline was hopeful for changes time after time (I can hear a song here).

Domestic violence (D V) brewed from more than the coffee pot at her house. D V appeared during holidays, birthdays, weekends, and every so often during the week in her relationship.

She'd take the kids to school and was ridiculed for trivial things (lateness, the route she took, making pit stops, the way she dressed, etc.).

Even when she cooked dinner, nothing was ever grilled, baked, and arranged to his satisfaction. She was mentally exhausted and couldn't figure out where all of her energy was evaporating.

One day, she decided to have neighbor friends over for dinner, which, they also new Cal, Caroline's long time live-in boyfriend.

She thought everything would be alright with him since they've had guests before (basically on his terms though).

Cal was charming as ever and gleaned the "small town boyish ways" like no other person. He helped with dishes and putting the leftovers away and engaged in conversation.

Areas in discussion stood out to Pam and Clyde (neighborhood friends) were Cal's mannerism and a few words he said. Hearing what  Cal mentioned was hard to catch as they had never noticed these "tidbits" before. I guess you could say Cal let his hair down at this dinner engagement.

A while later, rushing out the door, Pam and Clyde new they needed to contact Caroline sooner than later and inquire about some areas of her relationship with Cal. They didn't know if she would share or be honest with what was truly happening in with Cal. Domestic violence relationships often appear sweet and peaceful on the outside, that's why many times they are hard to discern. But baby, there are clues, we just have to look closer with our seers (eyes).

The couple felt an unction about this serious situation and knew they should take action right away.

They pondered: "Call the police?" Cal said maybe they needed to investigate and be more watchful with the couple. Pam said "I'll call my friend Betty that lives three cities to the South and ask her to make up her guest bedroom and get all the prayer sisters together."

While all this was stewing, Caroline finished tidying up her home and told the kids bedtime stories.
Just then, Caroline had an idea while children were inquiring about the evenings events. She knew at that time, some adjustments needed to take place, but how she wondered.

She wasn't aware of shelters, though she had seen billboards for hotlines. Gratefully, Caroline's neighbor, Pam, is already taking action. Praise God for clues that stood out to Pam so she could help Caroline and her children.

It's evident we have encouraging people surrounding us in every direction from the time we wake up in the morning and live throughout the day until bedtime (as long us we get out). Hope comes daily and from various sources, like from this scripture: "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Women Empowerment Solutions is dedicated to empowering women from domestic violence.
Currently we are processing and enhancing workshops to empower communities with education, prevention, and education. #freeing#hope#knockdomesticviolenceoffeverydinnertable