With the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation approaching in September, this is a perfect moment for Americans to take stock of where we are in the fight to eradicate slavery in our own country. Slavery does still exist in the United States, but it doesn't have to be that way. No one wants to eat food tainted by slave labor, and we can act together as consumers to ensure that the tomatoes we purchase are guaranteed slave-free. -Eileen Campbell, Director of Justice Campaigns, International Justice Mission 

That’s what I think about Florida’s tomato fields where men, women and children are right now enslaved to work.

“Where exactly do you seek justice?”

“Seek Justice? I have no idea what that means.”

“SEEK JUSTICE!”

“Excuse me. Are you a law student?”

I sometimes wear a T-shirt from International Justice Mission that says Seek Justice on the front. Inevitably when I wear it, I get comments or questions about it. The above are some of what I’ve heard while wearing the shirt.

When I first bought the t-shirt, awhile back, never did I anticipate it would draw the attention it has as I sport it around town from time to time. Actually, the first time I wore the shirt on casual Friday’s around the office, it was a co-worker who stopped me to ask me “where exactly do you seek justice?” While I was completely caught off guard by the questions, thankfully the Holy Spirit was not and instantly this verse was brought to mind and so I responded with:

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:14.

This past Saturday me and my husband took a day trip up to Big Bear Lake in southern CA. In the past, we've done a good amount of hiking through the mountains that circle the vast lake. But this time we kept our feet level with the lake and spent our day driving to various parts of the lake while remininiscing about those past hikes and trips with friends to the gorgeous mountains. Thoughts of my grandpa were also swirrling about in my mind that day as I knew his time on Earth was coming to an end. I had the sermon I describe below on my heart as well. As our day in the mountains ended, we descended down the curves of the mountains and I got a phone call. Grandpa had passed and Jesus had remembered him once and for all. I hope the knowledge of salvation in Jesus brings you hope on this day, no matter what life's circumstances are moving around you. And if you don't yet know the salvation and rememberment Jesus brings, I hope that your heart and mind be opened to his grace and forgiveness.