Many people may be asking this and many other questions this week as we are sequestered to our homes. After all we are not able to gather in churches or easter egg hunts with our families during this time.
The week of Easter is upon us and we are in the middle of a national crisis and global pandemic. This week carries heavy meaning for those who are of the Christian faith. Holy week is when we recognize what Christ sacrificed for us and that we have hope.
When I am reminded of the journey Jesus took to the Cross it made me think about how many are currently suffering domestic violence at the hands of abusers during this pandemic. It has been discovered in recent weeks of the pandemic family violence is on the rise in the US. Many in our communities are affected and that includes members of our military community.
Imagine for a moment, being abused by your spouse, trapped at home, with little if any support and no escape from the pain. This feeling of despair must have been what Jesus felt in the days leading up to the cross. Praying alone, in the garden being abandoned by those closest to him and ultimately betrayed. The heartbreak, emotional, mental and physical agony he must have endured. THIS is what victims of domestic violence experience every day.
For those who are reading this and are in the midst of the agony please know there is hope. Just as Christ rose from ruin of the cross, your resurrection is coming too. There are those of us who are thinking and praying for you. We are only a text or phone call away. There are hotline numbers and websites that have advocates standing by with resources and assistance waiting for you to connect virtually.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 Spanish and their website is https://www.thehotline.org/help/
Hope is not lost. We are in this crisis together and together we will overcome!