can i just tell you something that makes me madder than a hornet? people in eugene do not know how to take the grocery carts to the shopping cart return.
they park it right beside your car and it makes me want to punch someone in the face.
see!?!? grrrr.
the closest one is the one in front of my car. but, do you see the other one between the gold and blue car?!? seriously? seriously, people?
and this happens every single time i'm in a parking lot where there are grocery carts. i just don't understand how people can just do that?
the 'us' and 'them' line is becoming finer and finer to me.
all i know is that since i've met 'them'. my heart is so full. my cup is overflowing. and we are one. it's as if i've waited my whole life to know 'them' and glorify 'HIM'. together it is WE.
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. ecclesiastes 4:12
and we all have healing to do. all of us. the good news is that He is in the business of healing our depravity.
this morning i was reading john 8. a woman was caught in adultery and the religious leaders brought her to Jesus, saying, "the law of moses commanded us to stone such women. what do you say?"
and jesus bent down and wrote in the dirt with his finger. and he said "let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her". and they went away one by one.
i just see jesus drawing a line in the dirt.
and even the religious leaders can't separate themselves from her. we are one in the same, friends.
my friend wrote these lyrics. and, my oh my, they just captured my heart. i want to share them with you.
"She has long curly hair that exceeds her back, She has Piercing eyes that set ur soul on fire, She has skin so soft to touch its like milk. She has a face like an angel, She stands tall and always holds her ground BUT WHAT U DO NOT SEE IS... She is SCREAMING FROM THE INSIDE OUT, SHE IS DIEING FROM THE UNWANTED HANDS THAT LAY ON HER EVERY NIGHT, SHE CRIES HERSELF TO SLEEP WHILE SHE LAYS IN THE DARKNESS WANTING TO DIE, SHE CLAIMS HELP WILL NEVER COME, SHE CLAIMS THE WORLD WILL REPEATEDLY RAPE HER OVER AND OVER, SHE WALKS AROUND AS IF NOTHING IS HAPPENING, SHE WALKS AROUND AS IF SHE IS OKAY..SHES BEAUTIFUL AND MESMERIZING TO LOOK AT. BUT DO U SEE WHAT I SEE? SHES BROKEN SHES SCREAMS WITH EVERY INCH OF HER BODY? SHE SENDS SIGNALS OF WANTING TO BE HELPED. SHE LOOKS AT YOU IN SUCH A WAY UR HEART BLEEDS FOR HERS..WILL U HELP HER OR WILL YOU RAPE HER OVER AND OVER? "
i will make this post short. there is a great injustice happening right now in our own backyard.
the facts that we have are just a low estimate that we've concluded.
27 million slaves in the world today.
1.2 to 1.4 million are Child Sex Slaves.
one quarter of those slaves are our children in the United States - that's 300,000 children... but after researching, there is no way that this number is accurate. there is way more. even 1 child being sold for sex is too many. i encourage you to look it up.
the average age of entering the sex industry is 13 years old. so even what the world considers of legal age - these women started as a child slave. they are not prostitutes... they are also victims.
here is a video by the A21 campaign with some quick facts
just hit play
and she is right, numbers are desensitizing. after you meet one victim, your life will be changed forever. this is real. and it's a problem and it's happening in our own backyard.
this is an old video. but has some good resources listed if you want to get involved.
the problem is not getting better. it is getting worse and worse. and this weekend is the most profitable day of the year for traffickers - and a day of unfathomable evil for these poor victims. super bowl sunday. it's the second busiest trafficking event to the olympics. start by praying and fasting for these victims on sunday.
we need to save these victims. we need to tell them that they are their creator's masterpiece. that He knew them before they were formed and that he has a purpose for them in life. and it is not to be used and trafficked. we need to save them, help them heal and empower them.
we need to abolish slavery.
we need to increase the punishments for the pimps and the johns (buyers).
and the pimps and the johns need jesus too.
believers - take 20 minutes and watch this video
let's do something now. let's take our light and shine it in a world of overwhelming darkness and evil.
the more that i talk to women, the more i realize that i am a minority.
the close men to me in my life have loved me unconditionally. they have empowered me. they have never used my weaknesses for themselves.
i have never been abused physically, sexually, verbally or emotionally.
thank you Daddy,
thank you Brother,
thank you HUSBAND.
and thank you close guy friends.
and thank you JESUS.
Thank you for believing in me, supporting me, and empowering me. thank you for encouraging me and listening to me. thank you for protecting me and teaching me.
and it's not fair that i am the minority. every one of us deserves to be loved like this. and with this blessing of being loved liked this, how can i not use it to love and empower the majority of other women who are victims of abuse.
we need more men like these men in my life. you men, are sadly, also a minority.
let's go out and share this love. there are so many people in desperate need of it.
