Category: freedom

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Saint Josephine Bakhita: Patron Saint of Those Who Have Been Sex Trafficked

Saint Josephine Bakhita stands as a quiet but powerful witness to survival, dignity, and hope. She is the patron saint of people who have been trafficked, abused, and exploited—especially those subjected to slavery and sexual violence. Her life reminds us that sanctity can rise even from the deepest suffering, and that no human being is ever beyond redemption or worth.

From Enslavement to Freedom

Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in Darfur, Sudan. As a young child, she was kidnapped by slave traders, torn from her family, and sold multiple times. During her captivity, Bakhita endured brutal physical abuse, psychological trauma, and repeated violations of her body and dignity—experiences that closely mirror what many survivors of sex trafficking face today.

Her captors gave her the name Bakhita, meaning “the fortunate one,” a cruel irony given the horrors she endured. Over time, she was forced to forget her birth name and even her native language, a devastating loss of identity that is common among trafficked victims.

St. Josephine Bakhita for kids

Encountering God in the Midst of Trauma

Eventually, Bakhita was brought to Italy, where slavery was no longer legal. For the first time, she encountered kindness without violence and authority without abuse. It was there that she learned about Christianity and came to understand God not as another master, but as a loving presence who had been with her even in her suffering.

Bakhita later said that if she met her captors again, she would kneel and kiss their hands—not because what they did was acceptable, but because, through her suffering, she came to know God. This radical forgiveness does not erase injustice; rather, it reveals a profound spiritual freedom that no chains could destroy.

Why She Is the Patron Saint of Trafficking Survivors

Saint Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of victims of human trafficking because she lived their reality. Her sainthood does not romanticize suffering; it validates it. She represents:

Survivors who have been silenced

Bodies treated as commodities

Lives fractured by exploitation

The long, painful journey toward healing

Her life tells survivors: You are not defined by what was done to you. Your dignity is intact. Your story is not over.

A Saint for Our Time

Human trafficking is not a problem of the past—it is a global crisis happening in plain sight. Bakhita’s story urges us not to look away. She challenges us to listen to survivors, to support organizations that protect the vulnerable, and to confront systems that allow exploitation to thrive.

Her holiness was not forged in comfort, but in endurance, compassion, and love. In a world that often reduces trafficked persons to statistics, Saint Bakhita restores the human face.

A Prayerful Call to Action

Honoring Saint Josephine Bakhita means more than remembering her story. It means committing ourselves to justice, mercy, and solidarity with those who are still trapped in cycles of exploitation. Whether through advocacy, education, prayer, or direct service, each of us can play a role in ending trafficking and supporting survivors.

Saint Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of those who have been trafficked, pray for us—and especially for all who are still waiting to be free.

Room 21 A Film on Human Trafficking
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Gratitude and Financial Responsibility for Women

Daily writing prompt
What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?
View all responses

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” – Proverbs 31:25

One of the biggest shifts in my life has been steadily stepping into entrepreneurship and embracing fiscal responsibility. Every day, I learn something new about money—and here’s the truth: money is not a bad word. It’s actually a powerful tool and far more than just a way to pay bills. It can fund dreams, create security, and open doors to freedom.

There’s an old saying: “People perish for lack of knowledge and vision.” That resonates deeply with me. Many of us, if we’re honest, approach money in a hand-to-mouth way because we lack a clear vision for what to do with it. Years ago, I took time to pray and reflect on the vision for my life—not as a wife or mom, but as a woman.

That moment set a series of changes in motion. I realized I didn’t want another purse or more ill-fitting clothes. I wanted purpose, impact, and abundance—but without vision, those things felt out of reach. I don’t feel that so much now. I am in a space of looking around and seeing what life has to offer and being grateful for what is there. There is alot and I will be sharing lots of resources and initiatives from my home state.

The Reality for Women and Money

Here’s why this conversation matters:

  • After divorce, women’s household income drops by an average of 41%, compared to 23% for men.
  • Nearly 56% of women defer financial decisions to their spouse, leaving them vulnerable when life changes.
  • Financial literacy among women lags behind men—only 52% of women demonstrate strong financial knowledge compared to 62% of men.

These numbers are sobering, especially when you consider that many women have never opened a bill or managed household finances until a major life event forces them to. But here’s the good news: awareness is the first step toward empowerment.

Gratitude and Growth

My biggest attitude is gratitude. Life will hand you lemons—but you can keep squeezing out lemonade. These are the years to change it all. Whether you’re starting a business, learning to invest, or simply creating a budget, every step you take toward financial literacy is a step toward freedom.

Your Call to Action

Don’t wait for life to force you into financial independence—start today. Create a vision for your money. Learn, plan, and grow. Because when women have knowledge and vision, we don’t just survive—we thrive.

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Turning Roadblocks Into Hope: A Message for Single Moms

Today I turned on the news and saw something that gave me hope. It was definitely a “Your Cross Is Your Crown” moment. Lately, I have been feeling like I can do hard things. Especially in areas where I may have allowed my skills to um, lapse–i.e. the financial literacy department.

As you know, life can throw curveballs and there are unexpected challenges that change everything. For some, those twists lead to single motherhood. For others, it’s been the reality from day one. Either way, the journey can feel overwhelming. You work hard, sometimes juggling multiple jobs, not just for survival but because deep down, you want more time with your kids. Ironically, the biggest struggle for single parents isn’t just money—it’s time. Time to guide, nurture, and be present.

I grew up with both parents, but they worked tirelessly to give us a good life. I often wondered if they missed moments with me and my brother while chasing financial security. That thought stays with me as a mom—because whether you’re single or partnered, the desire is the same: to give your children the best future possible.

Here’s the truth: being a single parent is not a life sentence. Kids grow up. One day, you’ll step into a new chapter—stronger, wiser, and ready to build something even better. But right now, your focus is on their future. And today, I found something that gave me hope: Trump Accounts. This is an amazing philanthropic gift from the Dell Family. I am here for anyone who puts tangible action into play, especially for our nation’s youth. This is huge. I plan to post more on the steps to engaging this opportunity in future posts but this is a genuine solution for children under 18 and their families. Read on for how it works.

Why This Matters

If you’re a single mom or part of a working family, you know the daily balancing act—stretching every dollar while dreaming of college, a first home, or a debt-free start for your child. Saving feels impossible when bills demand your attention. That’s why Trump Accounts are such a breakthrough.

What Are Trump Accounts?

  • $1,000 Government Seed: Every eligible child gets a head start.
  • Up to $5,000/year Family Contributions: Build steadily over time.
  • Employer Contributions: Up to $2,500 annually, tax-free.
  • Dell Family Bonus: $250 for millions of children in qualifying communities.

Funds grow through investments in U.S. stock index funds. If fully funded, a child born in 2026 could have:

  • $303,800 by age 18
  • $1,091,900 by age 28
    (Projections, not guarantees—but powerful nonetheless.)

Why It’s a Game-Changer for Single Moms

This isn’t just about money—it’s about opportunity. It’s about breaking cycles, leveling the playing field, and giving your child a foundation for education, entrepreneurship, and independence. For single moms, Trump Accounts offer something rare: a chance to turn small steps today into life-changing outcomes tomorrow.

Final Thoughts

You already give your child love, resilience, and guidance. Now, you can give them something even more powerful—a financial head start. This is more than a savings account; it’s a promise of possibility.

Call-to-Action:
What do you think about this initiative? Could it help your family? Share your thoughts below and subscribe for more resources on building a brighter future for your kids. Also, please like share and subscribe. Thanks for reading.

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What Happens When You Surrender Everything?

Last year was interesting. It was also intense to say the least—but will go down in history so far as one of my favorites.

Here is what I mean. I’d like to think I know a lot, but last year I often felt clueless. For example? knowledge and a general “knowing” comes to me naturally, but it can be more like a fuzzy math than a concrete science. As spontaneous as I try to be, I still plan to jump with my parachute on. This past year I took risks that typically grown adults with responsibilities don’t take. The doing of this thing has proven to be more powerful, challenging, and rewarding than setting an intention and dreaming about it. The gift of space and time is invaluable. I’ve gained a healthy respect for the risk takers of our world.

“Untitled” by La Luz, 2025. Acrylic on Wood

I struggled for a bit, that’s just the truth. But when I began to surrender this false sense of control and ego, did I notice my mind begin to settle and knowledge began to come to me. I even began to recall forgotten memories that I had buried deep within me. Admittedly this is a new development.

Surrendering is not anything I’ve mastered to date, but is the most profound experience I have had so far. From the beginning of 2024 to now, I feel as if I have been reborn. I feel like I’m at the beginning of a great many things. Life seems to begin now.

I chuckle to myself because I am reminded of the phrase, “the more you know, the more you don’t know” and I am humbled. Ironically, I thought I had reached the truest form of myself and I’ve come to understand that I’m simply in better position to obtain that ideal.

So much has changed. Even my artwork. The air of discipline and the desire to go beyond remaining a dilettante forever has been solidified within me. My spiritual gifts now take center stage instead of looming in the back. I hope to teach some people how to help themselves in that regard. Knowledge of self brings about an infectious serenity that extends outward to those lucky enough to bask in that life. Last year I discovered that I like all the things I was told not too, and have become quite good at a few of them. Honestly, I love this energy. It feels liberating and truly where I belong. But again, this is only the beginning of “something.” Life looks different when you are eager to learn.

My advice for anyone this year is to surrender. Surrender your plans. Surrender your ideas and travel down the rabbit hole and see where it leads. Take a bet on yourself, there is no way you can lose.

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It All Lies Within You: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression And The Power To Re-Write Your American Story

Written by La Luz

All of my endeavors have been in the realm of publishing. Within the realm of media you have the ability to touch upon many topics. I began my first newspaper while living in Ft. Riley, KS. I was in the fifth grade, and we all sat at a four-top table with me at the head giving out the writing assignments. I remember calling one of my friends on the phone over the weekend to see if they would bring their pages in on Monday so we could staple the newspaper together. She told me that she may not be able to because she only had pens at home. Maybe we only could use pencil. I’m not sure, but that’s a memory that still speaks to me.

It was all so simple then. When you wanted to get something started, you just did it. In fourth grade, I used to love the Babysitter’s Club series and decided I wanted to start my own. So, I made the flyer. My mom made copies, and I put them in my small neighborhood on the military base. I babysat two times. I was actually a bit nervous so it didn’t last long, but I liked getting paid. I liked knowing that I could start something and just go do it.

Today we have so much red tape. We are discouraged before we start. I think because we are thinking in the “middling” space. See, big dreams need lots of people. Small dreams can become big dreams, but they need fewer people to start.

In the middle you often get tripped up and therein lies the problem. You also have people with bigger voices coming to take the food from the small fish, but as a highly intuitive empath, I am here to let you know—that time has come to a halt.

No longer will you, your ideas, and your freedom of expression will become engulfed by people that will use your vulnerabilities against you, especially for profit. There is a shift in the atmosphere.

James 3:3, in the English Standard Bible, talks about the “bit in the horse’s mouth used to steer him.” To me, I read that as the power of spirit being able to use an individual to do a good work. This same spirit calling a people who believe on faith, in humanity, and the goodness of their fellow man and woman to speak a truth that will continue to balance the scales. This is a powerful thing. It is also a truth that speaks to how David was able to overtake Goliath. See, freedom of speech is a slippery slope but it also has its confines, or it should. Unmitigated freedom of speech, that operates outside of the civility for which it was intended—is incendiary and dangerous. Yet, with the “bit” in our mouths and the roots of truth as our foundation—then the truth becomes the power. True is Power because like a math equation it largely follows a pattern. If you go forward and contextualize truth as unemotional facts, they become easier to work with and then bring forth new emotions.

Free speech should to some degree should stop at actions. If harmful actions follow words, then we have work to do when it comes to educating the public how to discern and respond to information.

With or without permission, the choice and the ability to rewrite your story and to exist in a world where you feel validated and seen comes from the bottom up. Not the top down. Freedom was bestowed on you at birth but the noise of the world will force you to fumble.

At the end of the day it should be family first. Safety first and honoring the divine call that resides over the lives of us all. My work with The House of Maryam is a passion. It is an inter religious endeavor that centers peace, resource management, and sacred living practices that will actually save lots of families and individuals. Peaceful religious freedom and expression is not only a must, it is needed. The Maryam is seen in many ways throughout many traditions but the mother figure as a whole is constant. Yet even that constant is nuanced. This isn’t about being kissy-face and pinching cheeks this is a matriarchal call. To be a matriarch is not about money, she is the stability of the family. She is the lighthouse and standard bearer of the generation. When the matriarch passes she becomes the ancestor we call upon.

Matriarchs and patriarchs are the leaders of our world and they grow into position. We need a nation of individuals that ok with cultivating wisdom and becoming those people who are able to give wise counsel. Therefore we need our minds, our choices and our voices to be free. Let the voice of reason and truth be the unifier. Let common sense and empowerment be the unifier—not solely your pain. Trouble doesn’t last always but your progeny and your legacy will.

You may not be strong enough to do this today. But you will grow into it. You will respect every aspect of your life because your imprint will be on it. To me, that’s how you rewrite the story. You rewrite it together, throwing out the old wine and braking down the old vessel and making room for the new.

I dream of a New America. Where someone is not constantly telling me what to do. Where even if I am wrong, I can die knowing that I have the tools to think for myself. I have the wisdom to know that I can better myself or someone can lead me to that notion. But I will no longer sit in the passenger seat of my own life.

Peace be with you.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share. Thanks for reading. Very much appreciated. Please share your thoughts. It’s better not to write in a vacuum. You matter to me.

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All Loyalty Is Not Good Loyalty, It’s Good To Know The Difference

What is one thing you would change about yourself?

There is really only one thing I would change about myself and it revolves around my loyalties. Throughout my life I have struggled with engaging in relationships, and even jobs until the point of catastrophe. Although I know that after every catastrophe of some kind immediate blessing appears after, I still seem to take my time making decisions. That’s because if there’s a catastrophic moment allowed to enter my life, I know it’s for a reason.

Life Is Too Short Too Be Unhappy, Is it?

I wrote an article about life decisions the other day and posted it on Nextdoor, and someone commented that life was too short to be unhappy. I remember thinking is that true? In my mind that is an oversimplistic way of looking at life. Think about it, just because you rid yourself of one area of unhappiness doesn’t mean that another is not going to pop up later down the line. Unhappiness, just like happiness, is forever. Ultimately happiness is a choice and it is controlled by you. Now, there are situations where people can disrupt and systematically try to dismantle your happiness and decisions need to be made about it. All the decisions involve a level of detachment, and that is where my pontification comes in. When is it time to reconsider your loyalties and embark on the next phase of your journey? For the most part, life tends to move along for me from glory to glory. However, in the rare moments when tragedy hits, I know it’s time get off the fence. When my steady boat threatens to capsize, I know the only thing that will get me through is faith and loyalty to whatever I hear from God.

This past year my spiritual journey has unearthed a lot about my strengths and weaknesses. It allowed me to see how I put others before myself, and how they would like to see me put myself first. Believe it or not, I have put myself first but it still looks like putting other people first at times. In many ways, that’s most of us–we are simply caring individuals. Maybe that’s just how my life is designed. I am created to inspire.

In the past I allowed so many people to keep the energy and gift of inspiration in small group. But, I noticed that my spirit was calling me out the group. I was feeling a desire to spread my own wings and fly. I believed then, and still believe now, that all things ultimately work for my good. Even in the toughest of times and sometimes especially in the toughest of times. Like you, I’m a person that at one moment I think I have a part of my journey that is so compelling than another thing hits me before I can even tell how I was delivered from my past. Through it all, the worst thing has been meeting so many emotional vampires– but I now know that I’m the only one with the power to change that trajectory. The change comes with the consideration of my loyalties. Wherever I go, I take the crux of who I am with me, because it belongs to me. Just as the essence of you belongs to you, and you can always call back your power when necessary.

Loyal To God

This past year has caused me to rise up in my life and take the drivers wheel in a firm way. It was initiated by a consecration I did to The Virgin Mary last year. After I completed this consecration, I began to see life with new eyes. I saw that due to my rose colored glasses I was missing a lot of important things in life. I was missing important moments. I was missing hidden truths, and I was missing myself. When we are loyal to God we get the ultimate gift of being reconciled with spirit and with ourselves. It is a level of divinity that brings about continued happiness.

When I reflect on 2024, that will be my greatest gift, that of spiritual growth and finding myself again. It has been a journey of discovering all the things I love, and removing all the things I can live without.

Loyalty to the wrongs things, and to severely broken things, can cause you to become despondent and stagnant. I don’t think that is God’s best for our lives. I remember going through a great deal of emotional stress that caused me to shut down and become numb. Numbness is one of the worst things you can feel. Especially if you are like me and you understand that life is a gift. Going numb is dangerous. Thankfully I am not numb today, yoga and art helped a lot with that. But the interesting thing about that time is I had a memory that crossed my mind like a beam of light. I had a memory of eating pizza with my friends. It had been so long since I’d done anything fun that the memory of me having fun was lost. I know that is a direct correlation to negative soul ties and negative relationships.

For many Christians we take a lot. There is a false teaching somewhere that makes it seem like we need to be the wastelands of the lost and it’s not true. When God says he cares, you are counted in that grace. You are designed for glory and happiness. The thing I had to retrain myself to remember is that God is the savior, not me. My job is to keep my soul in alignment to my calling and pray for others on theirs.

You may say, what if I am married to that person? I’d say especially if you are married to that person. You need to pray for them, but your loyalty is to whatever He is calling you to do. Too often in our lives we are tied to situations we should have never been in because we leaned into our own understanding then we need God to get us out.

If you are called to move across country, start a new endeavor, leave a friend or family member behind —be obedient. If you are called to stay, do that too. Obedience is always better than the false sacrifices we tend to make. Sometimes loyalty has an end and possibly a new beginning. For me, I have undergone such a significant spiritual change that I no longer resonate with a great many things. It’s now time to make new plans, alliances, dreams, and memories. Not out hate for the past, or a lack of loyalty but out of a hunger for the future and a renewed relationship with God.

So when anyone asks where my loyalties lie, there’s your answer.

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Forgiveness And Joy Keeps The Spirit Young

Written By La Luz

Daily writing prompt
What does it mean to be a kid at heart?
View all responses

I woke up this morning with hearing the saying, “After you’ve done all you can, you just stand.” After I heard that, I felt a peace wash over me. Some may or may not know, but I am an intercessor and I proudly stand in the gap for others who cannot pray for themselves. That is all of us some time.

In these days and times that feel very tense, and like we are having a battle between true and false, and light and dark–after we plead our case, it is time to stand. The world right now seems to be fueled by anger. There is a desperate need to stir up a hatred so palpable that if we succumb to this void, it will overtake us. There is a general belief that the truth rings true, and if it does, we don’t need to be cajoled within an inch of our life to receive it. However, there is nothing that we can do about the heaviness that exists. It is by design and has existed from the foundation of the world in an effort to steal your joy, faith, peace, and ultimately your hope. Anger robs us of the promise of happiness and cloaks our inner child with disbelief and agitation. Once this happens, we lack the ability to forgive. Forgiveness is a major conduit of change and transformational energy. It is of the highest vibration we lay hold of when we are able to forgive. When you forgive those who have wronged you, you are rewarded with a gift of youth and vitality because you have made your heavenly Father proud.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

It is not easy to forgive. This is I know. If it is easy intellectually, we know that healing takes time. But when I really feel stuck, I like to look at my children who sometimes fight like cats and dogs but they could never be apart from each other. Even though my daughter knows that her brother is going to say something mean or do something mean, it never kills her desire to love him. I lived like that for a long time. In many ways I still do. It’s only when my ego kicks in and I worry about looking like a fool or being mistreated do I go down the rabbit hole of hypotheticals and scenarios of what could be instead of what has typically been–God’s protection, grace, and favor over my life.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven” Luke 6:37

We often forget that everything is actually working in our favor. Every setback, every situation, and burden is strengthening our resolve to surrender. We know that sometimes forgiveness feels like a tall order, but that’s why Lamentations was written, every know and then we are going to complain. That’s ok. But, if you want to experience true freedom, true joy, then you must forgive. It has a way of lightening your spirit and allowing laughter to come in. When laughter comes in, you aren’t taking yourself so seriously. When you stop being so serious you can connect with your inner child and see the good in others. If you are guilty of wearing rose colored glasses, well, I’ m inclined to believe that you still made it out of your past situations ok.

Confession

I am a believer in going to confession. I go once a month and each time I go, I try to go deeper into identifying what my issues and faults are against others. Almost all of them are rooted in pride or unforgiveness and the absolution redirects me towards family time. We have to be thankful for our families. Everything that we are doing is about family. I am a big kid at heart so I play too much with my kids. I like to scare them or roll around my house chasing them. I like to dance and sing loud and laugh. All of these things keep me happy, youthful and young. It also shows my kids that there is a contrast to my seriousness and that I am learning and growing too. If you feel you need permission to enjoy yourself or be a kid at heart, take this as confirmation. Go do something you used to love to do. Get some friends together or go roller-skating. Whatever you do, enjoy your life. It is a gift.