Appropriate title for A woman living in a terrible situation like this....I am glad that prayers are being answered and that he is at least trying, alas for far too many this is never the case, and many wind up so cruelly battered or worse, it defies reason.
I was once in a relationship with an alkie, 5 years of totally wasted time, so I took to my scrapers and started living.
Hope this lady gets a fair go, and the family too. As for the Hubby, he wont be easy, and falling off the wagon is soooo easy, but prayers will overcome if he be willing to listen to the HS promptings, I will pray for that.

Grace and peace be with you
Love Ch'erie

Just an update about this family...a small miracle has happened, my friend shared with me that her husband hasn't had one drink in two days! This may not seem like much, but this is the first time he has tried to fight this terrible disease...she realizes that he cannot do it alone and is praying that he will seek help either with rehab, God, or both! Pray on dear friends...just a living example that prayer does change things!
Blessings,
Joyce B.

Joyce
This piece was sad, yet one of the best I've read this month. I could see the soul of the individual. A captive of his or her own fear. Excellent write.

I STEP at a Time! for CHANGE to occur! and I am praying for them all, to find their Innner Peace, and inner need they want!
I was in an abusive relationship, GOT Out, couldn't find Peace with him and I wanted to struggle alone then with HIM! I wish them/her Wisdom and Energy to do what is right for all involved! Gain Inner STrength Lady J, you will need it too, don't let it drain you!
GREAT Important and caring poem Lady "J"!
Warmly, Warrior Lady SheCat Purrs...

GOD BLESS!
STay Positive!
STay SAFE!

Horror! Remember old Reagan's saying something like vote with your feet. Time for somebody to get moving!

Utterly frightening Joyce surely hope your friend gets out of this situation and or seeks intervention. I believe no relationship is worth staying in if it is abusive.

God save her!
Sincerely,
~Gwendolyn

A very powerful write... I pray your friend will find the courage to leave and start a new life. Its not easy , but might well be worth her effort .. It affects the children too..........M

Joyce, your poem really illustrates how horrible it is for someone to be in an abusive situation, and indirectly summarizes my book, Desperate Choices, which is also about spousal abuse. I knew such a family in my neighborhood once in my youth and what the mother and children went through was untold misery.

In tragic situations like this, I have to ask myself: "What would God have this woman do?" Would He want her to preserve the bonds of marriage and persevere the continued abuse, while knowing the spouse has succombed to evil, cataylized by the scourge alcohol? In the old days, when these situations occurred, the members of the church would forcefully intervene and confront the one who offends God and his family. Surely we all know those days are gone forever but, I think it is a shame. I will pray for her and for her afflicted husband and for the thousands of souls which are, at this very minute, living in a constant state of fear and suffering. It is right that you would bring this concern to us, your friends, and petition for prayers for these who suffer such heartache. Also, I think you chose your title wisely. It hearkens back to the Biblical account of the valley of dry bones, where God resurrected those long dead bodies from the dust and gave them life -an annecdote of hope. I think Your heart is full of love and concern for others. We know you are a Godly woman, by your words and by the thoughts and concerns you share with us. You are a powerful source of light and hope in this darkening world. Thank God for you dear Joyce! Keep the light of hope shining brightly!

Your friend in Christ Jesus,

~Butch Howard

So sad. . .but she has one big advantage. She has you for a friend!
Surely she will break the chains, leave the past behind, and clowly but surely climb to a healthier and more satisfying life. Going through all this is bound to make her wiser and more compassionate and harden her resolve to stay away from destructive people in the future. . .unless and until they demonstrate that they can change. Bood luck to her and her wonderful friend, Joyce. xOx 'Pea' xOx

Joyce this breaks my heart, for I knew lady who had eight children and lived her whole life with abuse because she had no where and no one to run to and she wouldn't take a chance of her children being seperated. Even though we wondered why at times, I today know it was her love for her family. A shame with so much help today that women let this happen, I often feel they think they love their partner when it is fear of being on their own. Thank you, will keep them in my prayers.
Newfie Hugs, Rose

This is wonderful piece, Joyce. You masterfully capture the atmosphere of fear and futility that comes as a result of an abusive situation; but, I am drawn deeper into the other areas this poem relates to that can come as a result of emotional neglect as well, especially when a spouse resigns his or herself to acceptance of a life of emptiness and mere existence.
Love,
Taylor

Oh Joyce, this is such a heartwrenching piece. Your friend needs to trust in God and be strong in faith. Will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.....

Be safe,
Karen

i totally understand the why and i pray for her strength and wisdom in all that she must endure. peace and joy should feel her heart, not what she is having today.

r

This is no life for anyone! but this women too
Often are afraid no one will believe them or help them
Afraid they can't make it on their own
I think that's the reason why they
Stay in, the abusive relationship!!
You have exposed the mind of an
Abused woman and the fallacy of staying in such a relationship!
A very Powerful message!!!
Love Peace and many hugsss to you....Morning Star

I lived with a family member who was an alcholic. Sometimes they loev we feel for someone makes us turn the other cheek to their demon. Which only proves to be helping hand to their destruction. I have nothing but good wishes for your friend and hope that she finds the strength to say no more. Great poem Joyce!

I always wonder at those who say they "love" an abuser. The model they give to their children is that abuse is acceptable. Having worked with women's shelters, therein is the myth. The question to be asked is 'what is so lacking in the women that they find abuse acceptable.' Conditioning? Probably. Needless to say, it is a sad way to live. Prayers to your friend and for her to break the cycle of abuse...and if she has children, to give them a better model for relationships.

Elizabeth

Both are victims in this battle. Her battle is for love and peace, his is still in the bottle and his soul is not free.

A prisoner of self,
held by chains of fears…
shackled by doubt
impacted through the years.

So very sad, Joyce, and very sadly, there are many such prisoners.

Those that know what torment is, physical, psychical or both at the same time will be sad remembering their own, but with a sigh of relief at being sane again after escaping the situation.
Thank for sharing, but your friend most have somewhere a friend to go, disappear and with God's help start a new life without fright.
Georg

Thank you Joyce
For shring this outstanding write
Peace be with you

Love
William

I do believe in prayer...
Hope all will be better for her
Ron

My mother stayed and in the end it did work for them... but as a child with an alcoholic and verbally abusive parent the scars are deep. May she find the strength to make the best decision for her.. and her family.

Myrna

This is a sad story about one of the main causes of marriage break down. God Bless and protect this family and all the other families who suffer...Good work

Do all thing through Christ Who strenthens us. Jesus saves. It works for me.

Dear Joyce, whenever I come on your site I know I'll read a touching heartfelt write, for you are one of God's chosen who actually follow through with who they say they are. As Victor has mentioned, there are too many dirty peoms as of late on AD. We are to obstain from such things...but how many do? God Bless, Holly

Oh Joyce,such a tought choice for her,she must decide when is the time tosave herself,i fear she may be come a sacfrifice to this
monster ,prayers to her and her family,
stan

I can so relate to this....!!

Love Tinka

One thing about alcohol abuse ... it more often than not unlocks those rooms (in our soul and mind) that we keep under lock and key. That place where all of our struggles and failures fester, and where the demons laugh in derision at our suffering as they dance around the bonfires.

We will pray for both of their deliverances from suffering. Everyone who believes should join in agreement with her. I agree with Victor ... you are a light for the Most High God Joyce ... never change. People need Christ's message of hope and love.

Blessings dear sister ...
Richard

Abuse lingers within so many families, it is so sad to read and realize this disease flows throughout the world....whether from an alcoholic, an abuse by nature, or the crime of it's continued repetition, it is one of the saddest realities of life...

Peace and prayers for your friend and family...



Art Sun...

It is a joy to read you because AD has become a venue of dirty poems these days. Yet a spark of light here for you show you love God and your neighbor. Of course I'll pray for her. But tell her that she must pray too. Victor

Understandable heart-ache - I would offer to try an "Actor" approach other than the "First response" one -Meaning to acknowledge the mind-set of an angry frame of mind - Not with looking hurt -But by looking anxious to help them feel better{Always smiles & asking "Are you mad at me?"}-After they realize nothing you can do will make that happen - They might realize it's He who can help himself- God bless us all -Ted

Oh my,so sad ya brought tears..she will be in my prayers..Hugssssssssss sweet lady

Sad but too true in so many families. I will pray for your friend.
The write was a beautiful set of lyrics. It would be a sad song but a song none-the-less.
God Bless,
Lew