BECAUSE it's the 21st

As I read the headlines a few weeks ago, I was overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. "FBI rescues more than 100 children, arrests 150 pimps in sex-trafficking raid." Yes, those were the words in the headlines on foxnews.com. A 72 hour mission. 105 children and teens rescued. "The youngest victim being 9 years old." NINE. YEARS. OLD. This happening in U.S. cities. 

The range of my emotions went from joy and thankfulness that these children were rescued, to sadness and sorrow for what they had and will endure, to anger that people prey upon the vulnerability of these children, to fear that this is what is occurring all over the world including right here in the US.

We need to be educated on the facts of trafficking, and we need to pass this education on to our children and anyone else who will listen.This is not something easy to talk about. This is hard stuff! We also must NOT turn a blind eye to our sisters and brothers who are suffering. We can all do something!!!

Here are some thoughts on what I want the girls in my life to know:

Precious Girls,

For those of you who have had the privilege of growing up in safe homes and learning about Christ, my prayer for you is that you always find your identity and hope in Jesus Christ. May you find your satisfaction in Him and be grounded in Him. There is much evil in this world that will feed upon vulnerability and will promise you the love of a person and a better life. Do no allow promises of love from any man pull you away from the promises of God. There are hardships in this life, but being grounded in God's Word will provide you a safe refuge. Know that when hardships come, strength can be found in Christ. 

For you Precious Girls who have been hurt and harmed in this life, know that you are precious in the sight of God who offers unconditional love to you no matter where you have been. Know that nothing is impossible for God. He is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. He alone, can bring peace, comfort, and healing. May you find healing and comfort in Jesus Christ, and may He bring others into your life who will encourage you. May you know that you are beautiful, and may you find strength in Jesus Christ who loves you and gave Himself for you. 

In Christ Love,

Stacey

If you are interested in becoming involved in the fight against slavery and trafficking, check out The A21 Camgaign's website. Here you can find ways to become involved and sign up to become an abolitionist or advocate.

"Who told you life was going to be easy?"

Have you ever had times in your life when one thing happens right after the other? When you feel life the waves just keep crashing and knocking you down? You feel like you are sinking and just want a break from the waves of trials that keep crashing down on you.

Thinking over this summer, I cannot remember another time when my husband and I have made so many visits to hospitals and doctor's offices with family and friends. Not to mention some difficult emotional situations, long hours my husband is working, and hard decisions that have to be made regarding the future. As someone who likes things planned out and tends to worry, taking things day by day is challenging for me. I think I need to meditate on Matthew 6:25-34 more often (sheepish smile here).

Several years ago, we were in the middle of another difficult time in our lives. I remember having one of my pity parties. After listening for a few minutes, my husband looked at me and said, "Who told you life was going to be easy?" His words brought me back to reality. For some reason I had started thinking I didn't deserve trouble in my life, and that I had been through enough. How SELFISH! What I don't deserve is God's mercy and grace. What I don't deserve is His unconditional love and forgiveness. That day my husband reminded me that sometimes life is hard- really hard, BUT we have a sovereign God who is in control. A God we can trust, and Whose plans are for our good.

Yes, I still struggle. I still worry and fall and break, but the voice of my husband that day still comes to mind and brings me back to Christ. 

Today I want to share with you a passage that God gave me last Friday. A passage that excited me, encouraged me, and gave me hope as I read it. May you find encouragement today in these verses from Isaiah 40:28-31-

 "Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint."

Unknown

Many times in life we are hit with unknowns. It could be related to a family situation, job, finances, or health of yourself or a family member. I am the type of person who likes to have things planned out and wants to feel like things are under control. When I am hit with unknowns, I am faced with a situation where I have no control. To be honest, I struggle. Right now I have unknowns in my life. Where I don't like these situations, I know that it is needful in my growth in Christ. You see, these situations make me totally dependent upon God, which is where I should be in the first place. These situations remind me who is in control and where my strength comes from.

This morning I needed encouragement so I went to the One who is in control and was reminded of some things that are known. I have been memorizing in Romans, so the first place I went was Romans 8. "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8:15-17. 

Known #1 - I am adopted as a child of God. He is my Abba, Father.

Do you realize the significance of being able to call God, "Abba"?

It's more like being able to call Him, "Daddy" or "Papa."

Looking further I got to Romans 8:37-39- "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Known #2- God is my strength and nothing can separate

me from His love.

I then went to a devotional that has encouraged me over the years- Morning and Evening by C.H. Spurgeon. The verse today was Mark 9:23, which says, "Jesus said to him, 'If you believe, all things are possible to him who believes.'"

Known #3 - "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Today, I am grateful for encouragement through God's Word which is full of things that are known. Today, I am thankful that even though I have no control over situations, I know the One who does, and I can trust in Him. Today, I cry out with the father in Mark 9, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!"