my nightmare is "her" reality

At 4:10am this morning I woke up from a dream in which my 2 year old and I were trapped in a public restroom by a sexual predator. I woke up before anything actually happened but I vividly remember the feeling of fear and panic that overtook me just before waking. What if I can't stop this guy? What if I can't protect my son? What if my child watches me be raped? What if my child is raped? What if no one hears us scream? What if people hear and do nothing? What if it doesn't end here and we become victims of sex trafficking? What if I never see my child again? What if... what if... what if... All in an instant rushing through my thoughts.

Even after waking up safe in my bed next to my husband with my children sleeping soundly across the hall, it was difficult to shake the feeling of panic. I tried not to dwell in the panic because I do not think that living in fear is productive. Instead I gave thanks for my family's current safety and handed my fears over to our loving God. And all of a sudden, instead of panic for myself and my loved ones, my heart became heavy with the realization that though this is not my reality, it is reality for literally millions of women and children.

What if we hear and do nothing?

Millions of women and children are forced into slavery in the sex trafficking industry. They might have been abducted from a situation similar to my dream. When they become pregnant their babies are sold into child pornography. As a mother, I can think of nothing more abhorrent. It breaks my heart.

I cannot stand by and enjoy my safe little life, in my safe little family, with my safe little children. First of all, safety is an illusion, sex trafficking could happen to anyone. More importantly, those who are victims need me to hear, they need me to do something.

I am excited to be getting together soon with some other like-minded women touched by this issue to start making plans to do something about this. If you are a local friend and interested in joining us, let me know! If you aren't local, please think about doing something in your community to join the fight against sex trafficking.