I didn't set out to have anything sigificant happen today. It's drizzly and dreary; one of those days you just want to get through. Maybe a few highlights, like reading seven books in a row to the kids and then let them make pigs-in-a-blanket for lunch. You know, boring. But that's not the way my day was supposed to go.
On the way to preschool drop off, I suddenly remembered that I had a book on hold at the library. Jay had told me on Saturday, after I returned from a shopping trip, that the library had called and said the book was in. I totally forgot about this until I was pulling into the school parking lot this morning. I even wondered if the book would still be there, but I figured I'd give it a try. So after dropping Jacob off, Merrilee and I popped over to the library. I like the library on early mornings when it's raining, because hardly anyone is there.
As we walked into the building, I decided I needed to make a pit stop. There was a woman in the bathroom at the sink when I went in, but I couldn't see her face because she was leaning down. I had Merrilee wait for me outside the stall, and the woman was still there when I went to wash my hands. I noticed she was spending a lot of time wetting down her hair (kind of unusual in a library bathroom on a rainy day), and then I saw it. My stomach turned and my face grew hot. The woman's left eye had a black circle around it the the diameter of an orange. Her left eye was bloody, and her head behind her left ear was lacerated. She didn't pay much attention to me as she continued to rinse her hair and wipe her face with a paper towel.
I looked directly at her and she said "I'm okay". I asked if she was really okay, and then I asked what happened. She just said "My boyfriend". I won't go over the next parts of the conversation, but it was a classic case of domestic violence. This poor woman, Eileen, had just gotten the crap beaten out of her, and she was washing up in the library bathroom while her boyfriend waited outside. She knew of all the local shelters I suggested and could even list them off to me. She had heard of Leah House, Three Oaks Shelter, and all the other services our community offers. I prayed with her, and told her over and over again that no matter what, no one had the right to treat her this way. She needed to get help.
I asked her where she was going next and she said she was on her way to find some breakfast. She had no money. I asked if she wanted me to take her somewhere and she said no because her boyfriend was right outside and he would go with her. She was going to "scrounge" some money to eat. I helped her out, and recommended she not tell him I gave her anything, though I'm sure she probably handed it over to him. He even had the nerve to pop his head in the bathroom door to ask her what was taking her so long. Damn. Eileen had just gotten bloodied by this man, and now he's asking her why she's taking too long to wash the blood off her face, out of her hair, and regain her composure.
The hard part here for me was that I felt so helpless and couldn't fix the problem. I had to find a corner in the library to pray some more after we parted because the burden on my heart was so heavy. Is Eileen going to get beaten again this afternoon? Did he knock her upside the head again because she was talking to me? Did he slap her for taking money from me? I can hardly think of what happened to her after I left.
I am very thankful that God put the remembrance of that book into my mind this morning. He is sovereign, and even remembering something as seemingly insignificant as a library book is significant in His plan. I might be the only hope or kindness that Eileen will experience today. God always knows our every need, and apparently He knew Eileen would need someone to pray for her. I hope the little I did was what God wanted me to do. I wish it could have been more.
Now you must be thinking about what Merrilee was going through as all this took place. My daughter has such a courageous heart and she's going to be an amazing servant of the Lord one day. She bowed her head and prayed with us as I did what little I could to minister to Eileen. Afterwards, when Merrilee and I were alone in the library, we talked about how some men don't treat women as God instructs, and that they do these terrible things. And I had to finally give Merrilee the warning that she should never accept this kind of behavior from anyone. I can't relay the whole conversation now, because it's still too fresh. But who would have ever thought today, when my daugher is just five years and one month old, that she would be learning such a lesson about domestic violence. Never in all my life did I expect this. And for her to see it first hand is more than I can absorb right now.
But she didn't squirm and get upset. She bravely hugged Eileen and smiled at her. We will keep Eileen in our prayers. Will all of you please do the same? It's all we can do for her right now.
3 comments:
Found your blog and what a great entry to read. You are so right that we need to listen to the Holy Spirit when he whispers to us, even the mundane things, like...pick up your library book.
Thank you for the encouragement and I will say a little prayer that Eileen seeks the help that she needs.
ckraiPetrie- God placed you in Eileen's life- even if for just a brief moment. He had you in the right place at just the right time ( even if you had forgotten you had a book on hold, He didn't). What a lesson to Merrilee- and although we hate to have to give it to our daughters when they are so young, Lord willing, it will be one that she won't forget. We will be praying for Eileen.
Oh, I just feel sick. I also feel thankful to God that He placed you there that day. You're right- this is a tough lesson at 5 years old, but I have a feeling you handled it perfectly, and your sweet daughter learned from you today how to be compassionate.
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