Twenty times! That's how many times it took me to leave my abusive ex-husband for good. Twenty times! I will never forget my first attempt. My ex-husband had used his .22 hand gun to punch me in the nose. He must have felt really bad about it, because I was really bloody. He willingly let me drive myself to the emergency room. I was mortified. But somehow, I found the strength to tell someone about my abuse for the very first time. Of course, he was sorry for what he did. He even bought me flowers! So, I went back.
As time went by, the abuse only got worse, the apologies grew fewer and the flowers stopped being pretty. I found myself spending the night with my family, more than my own home. The only reason that I went back was because of the burden that I was putting on my family. I praise God that they never did turn me away! Not even to teach me a "tough-love" lesson. Had it not been my silent prayers and their unconditional love, I would have eventually been killed.
My twentieth attempt of leaving him paved the road all the way to the survivor that I am today. I survived so that I can share my experiences with you. My ex-husband might have meant to harm me, but God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:20) October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Read more articles by Candy Goldie or search for articles on the same topic or others.
