It is 7:06 am on an early fall Sunday morning. The sun has not risen and though light is visible no vegetation has dressed in their colors for the day. Nature’s palette is muted in shades of gray and black. There are thousands of people living around the peaceful Lake Washington which spans at this point from Mercer Island to Seattle. My house sits about a quarter mile above the lake. I relish the solitude as the Cascade Mountains begin to peer at me through my window. Quiet and serene the undisturbed mantle of the water bursts with a roar. One lone person in one loud and noisy motorboat shatters the morning’s stillness forcing those in its’ vicinity to stumble from their slumber in an undignified exit from their dreams.
The Bible records the first horrific act of family violence in the story of Cain killing his brother Abel. God saw the anger that Cain was mistakenly harboring towards Abel. God talked with Cain. God told Cain that he had an opportunity to correct his mistake. Consumed by jealousy Cain refused to change his attitude. . Cain continued to make Abel the target of his wrath. Cain chose rage over reason. He overpowered and killed his unsuspecting and innocent brother. Everything in creation was affected by Cain’s solitary action. Cain’s violence brought death to Abel, the disapproval of God, grief to the parents and a disillusioned life of hardship to himself. Even the earth found itself an unwilling participant as it was forced to receive Abel’s blood. Family violence has never been a confidential matter between the abuser and the abused. It disrupts life on so many levels and causes physical, mental, emotional and social pain to everyone. The injured party is no longer able to contrib
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