“I first came to the S.A. because of domestic violence.  I remember feeling confused, my self-esteem and confidence ebbing away and I just felt totally lost about my marriage.  Everything felt wrong, but I didn’t know why.  All I did know was that I was afraid of my husband’s violent, verbal episodes; which later turned physical.  I was at the The Salvation Army only a short time when my husband left me a message to call him, and I did because I loved him.  When I flew back to him, thinking he would have changed, I remember reflecting back on that safe feeling and unconditional kindness I had received at the shelter.

There was one incident in particular that stuck with me and was the reason I retuned almost five years later.  I met an officer and his wife while I was doing laundry at The Salvation Army.  He asked me if I was ok, if I needed anything, and if I was being treated well.  I was feeling so much shame about being an imposition and being there in the first place that I could not meet his gaze.  His soothing, soft spoken voice finally convinced me to look at him.  I will never forget his eyes.  They had a compassionate softness in them that I have never seen before.  Never.  He continued talking to me and I couldn’t help but begin to answer him, assuring him I was being more than cared for.  I’m not sure I even had the presence of mind to thank him as they left.  His eyes were the reason I took a great number of papers about domestic violence with me when I left the shelter.

When my husband would start his demeaning rants, I would start keeping mental notes until he was gone.  Then I would get those papers out and one by one as I checked and compared I had no excuses for him anymore.

I prayed and talked to God all the time about my marriage.  I’ve prayed and talked to God since I was 5, so thankfully I had that to count on when I was going through this ordeal. 

Domestic violence is not simple nor is it easy to understand but those papers I took with me from The Salvation Army saved my life!  That and the officer’s eyes.

I returned to the SA one year ago and my life; yes, I can say MY LIFE is blooming.  I am blooming because of the nourishment I receive emotionally, physically, mentally, and most of all spiritually.  I can mention God, Jesus Christ, and our Lord as often as I like here.  In fact, our Lord’s name is spoken here around every “nook and cranny,” as my mother would say.  The staff and the limitless hosts of self help programs available are phenomenal. 

One may come here broken; mentally, physically or both.  But if a person uses these services to learn and advance and lets the staff help and guide them, then each one of us will fly out of here a centered and blessed creature of God.”

What a wonderful testimony to what we are trying to do here at The Salvation Army Social Service Center!  Thank you to “SG” for taking the time to put her words on paper and share her experience with us!