My Husband Punches Me

Yes, he does.

He's been punching me in the past, he punched me again last night, and I'm sure he'll continue punching me in the future.

Every time, after it happens, he always apologizes profusely, tells me he loves me, and says he won't do it again. But...I know the reality.

I know what you're thinking. This gal needs to immediately contact her local spousal abuse organization, find a "safe" house, and get away from this monster.

It's just that things aren't always what they seem. And, as is often the case, sometimes there simply are no easy answers.

In this case, it's a rude, painful awakening when my sleeping partner flails in his sleep, landing a good, solid jab or elbow strike to the side of my head. He certainly doesn't mean to hurt me. Who knows what he's fighting in his weird nightmares? Maybe he's even battling some goon that's trying to hurt me.

No doubt about this: I do love this man, and he loves me. We just celebrated our fortieth wedding anniversary two months ago.

Perhaps there are some things I could do to stop this nighttime battering. Maybe there's some kind of medication or natural herbs I could find for him that would help him to sleep more serenely. Perhaps we should consider sleeping in separate beds. Someone has even suggested that we consider using the Amish practice of bundling and install a wooden plank between us down the center of the bed. That way, instead of a shiner on my head, he'll get some sore knuckles.

I plan to stay married for many more years to this man I love, Lord willing, and so my plan is to keep forgiving him when this happens and move on.

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?'

Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"

I probably should think about sleeping more over to my edge of the bed though.

Just to be safe.