Something happened to me while I was in Texas…..

.…okay, so this could go a whole bunch of directions…so, let me be more specific:

This last trip to Texas…..last week, affected me - and I’ve been trying to remind myself of this all day…..so I never, ever forget…..

You see, Byron and I (and Barry Leathers - C3 Executive Pastor and his better-half Amanda) went to the annual “Creative Church Conference” at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas.  The conference was good…I wasn’t feeling particularly receptive, though…just a little weary, actually……..but, I digress….

Then, on the first night - which was, honestly, feeling a little like a TBN Christmas Special, a petite Australian woman woke me up from my glitter-induced trance……she came crashing right into the middle of my “weariness”…..

Her name is Christine Caine and this is what she said: (for my friends in “google reader”…there’s a video here…you’ll have to come to my blog to see it…sorry for the inconvenience!)

…and it didn’t end there.  For a break, the next afternoon, we decided to take in a movie……..“Taken” sounded action-packed.  We just didn’t bother to really research the story-line.  So, I spent the next few hours - knees up against my chest in a theater, weeping…..and promising myself I didn’t need any more pushing to action……vowing to myself that it didn’t have to be my daughter in order for me to be compelled to help!

Then, Tommy Barnett spoke of his “Dream Centers” and I remembered once more my desire kindled the year before to do something like that……..it was all coming back to me……

On the final night, after a rousing message from Bishop T. D. Jakes…like there ever are any other kind from the Bishop….but, again….I digress…..

Anyway, on the final night - we came in a little later than usual after stopping to grab some burgers….and the lobby was just beginning to jump with activity….so I almost missed her…

I could tell she wanted to remain “unseen”…it’s what actually drew my attention to her.  She looked as if she could’ve been meeting friends…going “clubbing”…..but, then again, not really.  She was going out as everyone else was coming in….and just didn’t look like a carefree 20-something girl.  She would’ve been tiny except for her 4-inch stilettos…..and so pretty….but, her make-up was already worn……….

Something about the way she put her head down and pulled her trench-coat so tightly around her made me look closer……our eyes met…..

She rushed by even more quickly then, not wanting me to examine her………..

It was like a gradual dawning….so that I was weeping on the elevator.  She was leaving after her “work” was done.

I said to Byron, simply, “Did you see her?”.  He said softly through tightened lips, “Yes” - (wanting to beat some unknown man into the dust).  And all I could say was, “That was someones’ daughter….somebody’s little girl……..and someone has just been so, so careless with her……”

It haunted me all night…

…haunts me still.

But, I know I need to do more than just feel bad…..

So, I’ll do for now all I know to do:  Research, Raise Awareness, Gather Support, …….and Act….however that is that I can….whatever that ends up looking like.

This is just the beginning of my journey into fighting injustice…..

It’s a huge, huge war.

But, I’ve got to practice what I preach - you know, “LOVE WINS”….remember that?  Well, I’ve had enough reminders lately that there are so many out there that have no concept of what love even looks like…..let alone feeling like it’s “winning” for them.

I’m listening….now I’m really listening……

Can you hear them too?

Peace………..please, peace………