Dressember – On Stewarding my Privilege

Yesterday, millions of Americans gathered around their tables to give thanks for their blessings. I was one of them, and thinking over the many blessings in my life was truly humbling. I  was born into a loving family in the richest nation in the world; I have a college education, and a husband with a well paying job. I get to choose to stay home and raise our two boys who are in perfect health. We live in a nice townhouse in one of the most beautiful (and expensive) cities in California.

Truly, my cup overflows.

And yet, I recognize that so much of my advantages in life are gifts I didn’t earn. I had no control over the color of my skin, where I was born, or to what family. I worked hard in college, but I recognize that not everyone has the opportunity to attend. I’m so grateful for the good health in my family, which is something over which I have limited control.

I’ve been challenged recently to be a good steward of the gifts I’ve been given, and my privilege is one of those gifts. Just like in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), I want to be faithful with what I’ve been given in order to further His kingdom.

One way I’ve discovered to do this is to partner with Dressember, and wear a dress every day in December to raise awareness and funds for survivors of human trafficking. Did you know that there are over 40 million victims of human trafficking worldwide, and it affects all 50 U.S states as well? Between forced labor, child labor, sex trafficking, forced marriages, and domestic servitude, it’s a 150 billion dollar industry and this makes me sick to my stomach.

It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of such numbers, to throw our hands in the air and despair at the scope of the problem. But instead, I’m choosing to do the little bit I can and participate in a style challenge with the Dressember Foundation. It gives targeted, strategic grants to 12 organizations who are doing some incredible work – from creating the technology to eliminate human trafficking online to assisting at-risk youth with services to keep them out of trafficking situations, to physically rescuing people trapped in slavery in places like South Asia.

This is a movement that is truly bringing freedom, and I invite you to be a part of it by donating to my personal campaign page, or take on the challenge yourself and creating your own campaign page here.

This year, my goal is to raise $500 and I’m excited to join other advocates on The Mustard Seed Marketplace Team. Together, our goal is $5,000!! Any donation, big or small, is a step toward ending the horrific practices of human trafficking. Won’t you join me?

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