One step you can take to change the world (Join me?)

I used to be able to watch the news.

I could stomach the tragedies and injustices around the world with sorrow held out at arm’s length.

But something happened on the day my first baby was born: my heart turned to glass. The nurse laid him against my chest, and his warm softness made me come undone. My heart hasn’t been the same since becoming a mom.

For a long time, I wasn’t able to stomach the news. Every tragedy, every crisis, every injustice was reframed in a new light: “That’s someone’s baby!” News of our broken world became too much to bear. I wanted to live in a giant bubble of protection where no harm would ever befall us.

What am I supposed to do?

But deep down, I knew the truth: not only is that impossible, it’s not how Jesus called us to live. I wanted to take seriously his example and the words of Isaiah 1:17 – “learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”

But how? With so many systemic, large scale problems in the world, what can one mom do? It’s overwhelming to consider the refugee crisis, ongoing racism in this country, the reality of climate change, and modern day slavery, just to name a few. It can be tempting to throw our hands up in despair.

Who is my neighbor?

As I was thinking about what my responsibility is as a follower of Jesus, I came across these words in Leslie Verner’s book “Invited” about the story of the Good Samaritan:

The Samaritan didn’t need to change roads to encounter God. He was walking his road, minding his business, when God brought someone onto his path. And then he had a choice: notice and do something, or ignore and move along.

Leslie Verner

Recently God put Elisa Johnston on my path. She spoke to our MOPS group about how we can make a difference. She shared that there are 9,000 young girls in our city of San Diego who are victims of human trafficking.

My glass heart shattered.

So much injustice right in my own neighborhood! I thought of the three “gentlemen’s clubs” I drive by on a weekly basis as I exit the highway and head home, and felt sick to my stomach. And then I was faced with a choice: do something, or ignore and move along?

How can one person make a difference?

I chose to do something.

For thirty-one days in March, I’ll be wearing the same black item of clothing as a way to raise awareness about human trafficking, and to raise funds for local organizations who are working for freedom. I’ll be joining other people around the nation who are choosing to limit their freedom to bring freedom to others as part of the Blackout Trafficking Project.

I invite you to join me in this simple way to make a difference. All you need to do is 1) care, and 2) commit to wearing the same black item of clothing every day in March. I’m choosing to wear a black dress everyday, but maybe you can pick a sweater, a pair of pants, or black shoes. You can learn more and sign up here. And you can donate to my campaign here!

You CAN make a difference! Wear one black item every day in March to fight human trafficking! #blackouttrafficking Learn more: https://blackouttrafficking.org/

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