"I forgot to take the dog out."

Prosecutor's Office, 1993

The receptionist handed me the complaint form, her eyes reflected a knowing sadness. I scanned the form for the description of the incident: "I forgot to take the dog out and he hit me in the head." Processing that information quickly, I was certain I wouldn't be able to help, without a visible, documented injury there'd be insufficient evidence to "prove" abuse in the criminal courtroom.

Wearily, I opened the lobby door, preparing for the expected argument, one I'd had so many times before: "But he hit me." My reply, "I understand and I believe you, but I need to be able to prove that."

I called out her name and watched as a woman in the far corner stood up. Scanning her face, I saw no bruises, no black eye or swollen jaw. These cases were always the toughest. As she approached, I finally really saw: her head was covered with dozens and dozens of red holes. She had puncture wounds on every inch of her scalp. I wanted to throw up. I should have prayed.

She settled in the chair across from my desk. I asked the easy questions first: confirming name and address, asking how long she and "he" had lived together. I avoided eye contact, not trusting my face to hide my shock at her appearance. Finally, I asked her what happened. She replied simply, "I forgot to take the dog out and he hit me in the head." With some prodding, she filled in the details. She got home from work, and it was raining. She should have taken the dog out right away, but couldn't find an umbrella. The dog peed and pooped on the floor. Before she could clean the mess, "he" got home. He berated her for being so mean to the dog and proceeded to "teach her" how it feels to be a dog. He used the steel bristled grill brush and beat her in the head. The whole time he screamed at her never to treat a dog like that again.

We reviewed her statement to make sure I had recorded everything accurately. Then I asked if she was ready to press charges. Shocked, she screamed at me, "NO. I deserved it." She simply wanted me to ask him not to use the grill brush the next time, but to use a belt or stick instead. Nothing I said could change her mind. I never saw her again. To this day, I pray for her.

Today

For the most part, I blog about the joy that comes to us when we have a relationship with Jesus. Most of you -- my readers and friends -- know that joy, at least on some level. You know that God loves you. You know that you are special. Even when we, our own worst critics, berate ourselves for bad choices, we know that Jesus is our redeemer.

I blog about reaching out and making a difference, through volunteering at shelters and food banks, by giving offerings and blessing others. I challenge you -- and myself -- to offer a smile to the grocery store clerk, give a bigger tip at the restaurant, and acknowledge the homeless man. Mommies, I share your struggles to show love when you want to scream at the kids, to provide healthy meals and to teach your kids to love Jesus.

Today...

I want to challenge you to go further. You see, the real world is a dark, mean, hateful place. The real world is filled with women like the one I met at the prosecutor's office. The real world iincludes people whose only purpose is to hurt others, not just in domestic violence, but by rape, murder, drunkenness, DUI, and emotional abuse. I could go on.

We can ignore the pain, refusing to watch the news or read the paper. We can turn our eyes away from the homeless man, pretending that he doesn't really suffer. We can rationalize that our kids' schools are happy places and that all the children have wonderful homes like ours. But we delude ourselves.

Jesus

Jesus came for them. Yes, He came for us too... but if we accept his love and refuse to reach out, who will love them? If we hold him close and pretend they don't exist, how will he reach them? If we keep Jesus for ourselves, are we any better than the abuser? the drunk? the murderer?

Jesus said, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices -- mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law -- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former." (Matthew 23:23)

Friends, where is justice, mercy and faithfulness? Where is our love? What should we do?