Dear Pastor,

I am a 39-year-old married woman and I have two beautiful children. I am in trouble. My husband is treating me like a dog. I am so depressed. I can't sleep at nights. Two years ago, he stole all my money and ran away to his relative. His mother lied to me saying that he was not there. Anyhow, he wrote me a letter telling me that he was sorry and he was going to change but that was all a lie because he never changed.

I feel as if I was forced into the marriage. I feel like a slave in a sex house. I can't talk to anyone, friends or relatives. My life has broken down. I was not brought up this way by my grandparents. Please, help me to get out of this marriage. I await your fatherly advice.

L. S., Holland,

Dear L. S.,

Why didn't you call the police to arrest your husband when he was beating you? How can a man love his wife and beat her? Oh, I know men often do and claim that they love their women and some women even say that if they are not beaten by their men that shows that the men don't love them. Of course, that is nonsense.

I believe that you need to see a lawyer. If your husband stole your money, he should be made to repay you. You say that you feel like a slave. You can end this marriage peacefully with the help of a lawyer. No one should stay in an abusive relationship.

Pastor.