6/15/11 The cycle of violence. I've seen it so many times, Lord, and it's all too difficult to break. It's like a merry-go-round, you know, when a kid is barely able to hang on the spinning wheel, but it's going too fast to let go. In this merry-go-round cycle of violence, I'd just like to put my foot down and stop it. And maybe, Mary could climb off. For good.

Cedric came in my office as Mary talked about the upcoming birth of her baby. She is eight months along. He wanted the food stamp card. She didn't want to give it to him. He got louder. She pulled her purse tighter. He said he wanted a coke and had money to buy it. She said, "The why don't you spend it?" He cursed at her. She hung her head. She said, "No!" He sprung at her.

As quick as could be, he screamed, "Give me the card!!!" He snatched her purse, grabbing her arm, and yanked her up out her chair. He violently grabbed Mary and her purse. The eight month pregnant mother of his child. All over a cold drink. All in my office.

Long story short, I escorted Cedric out of the building, he cursing and threatening me and Mary because he couldn't get what he wanted. And, with no regards to his unborn child. She was visibly upset, but trying to carry herself as tough and as having things in hand. Then Mary relaxed a bit and seemed happy, but very weary. She claimed to have a great burden lifted and feeling free. She said, "This is it. He's out of my life."

We lined up a shelter and transportation to Salvation Army to get her clothes and things. "I'm making the break for good this time," Mary smiled.

I've seen and experienced this cycle too often. Once in Memphis years ago, I helped the same lady leave her husband seven times myself, sneaking her out to the YWCA Women's Abuse Shelter and housing her two children in my home. Once, I sat up with her husband all night, who was crying with a cocked pistol to his head, saying, "I can't live without my wife and kids." And, I couldn't tell him I had his kids in my home at that very moment. Time after time, the wife would go back to him, he apologizing and begging for forgiveness promising to be better. Finally, she broke away, and is doing fine. It took eight "break aways" to finally break away. But not before their son shot and killed his cousin over a little unpaid drug money. Anger passed along from father to son.

So Mary got herself together, committing to the break from Cedric, and was waiting for us to take her to get her clothes and to the shelter. Others things filled our time before we had to leave to get her to the shelter on time. Mary disappeared. What we had hoped wouldn't happen, did. The very next day, another concerned person said she saw Cedric and Mary together as if nothing had ever happened. Something did happen. Mary got back on the merry-go-round of anger, abuse, and violence. She almost stepped off the merry-go-round. Almost.

Yesterday, one of our staff happened to be at Walmart and heard a man screaming at someone in the checkout line. It was Cedric and Mary. He was putting her down, making a scene, and everyone around was embarrassed for her. And, she was just taking it. Back on the merry-go-round. Back in the cycle. Anger, abuse, violence.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28, NIV