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Sub Rosa

Valerie Cullers 23 Comments

Sub Rosa means “under the rose” in New Latin. Since ancient times, the rose has been associated with secrecy. Merriam-Webster Dictionary

When I look at what’s happening in our world today, I see many things that are cause for concern…wars, natural disasters, famine, and disease. All of these problems capture my attention, but the things I am most concerned about are the things that are happening sub rosa. In other words, they do not appear on the surface of society, but they are taking place in secret, unbeknownst to most of us.

Take the dark net, for example. If we knew the things, i.e., weapons, deadly drugs, and people that are being marketed, we would be aghast and unable to sleep at night. My greatest concern is for the people, the living souls, who are being bought and sold. Yes, it is human trafficking that grabs my attention the most.

Human trafficking is happening in most communities in this country. And yet, the only people who know about it directly are the people involved and the police who are trying to put a stop to it. Why, you ask? Because it is happening sub rosa, in secret, under the radar.

What is human trafficking exactly? Oxford Languages defines it as, “the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation.” Most people think that it is not happening in their communities, but it is everywhere. Last week in our community, in one of the most affluent suburbs, three people were arrested for human trafficking and prostitution.

The statistics are staggering. In Texas alone, it is estimated that 313,000 people are being trafficked with 79,000 of the victims being minors involved in sex trafficking. My concern is that many of these minors crossed the border looking for a better life but instead were forced into a life of sexual servitude. This is a huge problem, especially in the states that share a border with Mexico.

Is there anything that we can do? First, we have to be aware that the problem is present in our communities. Just because it is happening sub rosa does not mean it doesn’t exist. In our area, there are three organizations that help people who have been trafficked. All of them could use funding or some other kind of support. Second, we need to keep our eyes open for those who need help. If there is a house in our neighborhood where there is activity that is suspicious, we can report it to the police. Know the universal sign for help: a person puts their thumb in the palm of their hand and closes their fingers over it. If you see someone do this, call the police; that person is probably being trafficked. And third, pray. Pray that these terrible deeds of darkness will be exposed to the light and that the people responsible will be arrested and the victims will be rescued from this form of modern-day slavery.

Photo courtesy of Engin A Kyurt, Pixabay.

This One Thing

Valerie Cullers 19 Comments

Now that January is almost gone, and all of my so-called resolutions have either been implemented or discarded, I thought about one resolution that I could implement each day that actually might make a difference in my neighborhood. This year, I decided that the one thing I would like to implement was to love my neighbor as myself.

You know, it sounds simple, but it really isn’t. My neighbor has her own catering business, and her garbage is near to overflowing every time she puts it out for the garbage trucks to pick up. Many times, after they dump her garbage, there is some lying on the ground. Sometimes, it blows into our yard. My first response is usually irritation as I look out the window and see it blowing by. I have decided to move from that response to a kinder response. I am thankful she has a good job. I am thankful that once in a while, she brings my husband and me lunch, etc., etc.

This may sound simplistic to you, but it has changed my outlook. Every time one of our neighbors makes a lot of noise or their dogs bark, after my initial irritation, I am choosing to think kindly of them. My neighbors don’t even know that my attitude has changed, but I know. It has made a difference inside of me.

Don’t get me wrong – I like my neighbors. I just want to have a kinder, gentler attitude towards them this year. I know I will be a nicer person inside, and perhaps some of that kindness may even move from an inside attitude to an outward action. You never know, after I pick up some of my neighbor’s trash that has blown into my yard, I may even pick up some of hers. Stranger things have happened!

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Discount

Valerie Cullers 7 Comments

“Discount – (verb) to decide that something or someone is not worth considering or giving attention to.” Cambridge Dictionary

If we were fortunate as children, we lived in a family where we were taught to not discount people because of their race, religion, ethnicity, or financial situation. We learned that people are not less valuable because of any of their inborn characteristics or outward circumstances.

For the past several years, people have also been discounting others because of their political beliefs. Our children in the university system have been taught to discount those who do not conform to the current norms at their institutions. On campus, they live in an echo chamber where only the accepted opinions are given any real credence or value.

This past Thanksgiving, a psychiatric intern at one university shared online that people might want to skip getting together with their families if their relatives voted for candidates they didn’t agree with. The “Northeastern Global News” stated that about one quarter of people were considering skipping the family get-together this year.

I come from a family where one of my brothers is on the far right and the other is on the far left. Would I ever consider not having dinner with them because of their political views? Absolutely not. Family is too important, and life is too short. Political candidates and opinions change like the ocean tides. To be so locked into our views that we must live in an ideological bubble where those with different views are discounted seems absurd.

Believe it or not, we can always learn from those who have different opinions than our own. We can learn why they believe what they do. We can learn to be tolerant of those who see life differently. We can learn to care about people who think differently than we do because they add to our understanding of the world around us. We can also learn to have a little humility because believe it or not, we are not always right in our opinions and we do not always see the whole picture.

Let’s learn to love those who have different political views this holiday season. Let’s not discount them as the world would have us do.

Image by Okan Caliskan. Courtesy of Pixabay

Foreshadow

Valerie Cullers 5 Comments

“Foreshadow – “a warning or indication of a future event.” Oxford Languages

As I look at current events happening around the globe, I can see that they are foreshadowing things to come. We are watching a story unfold right before our eyes that is filled with hints as to what we can expect in the future.

Take Israel and Iran for example. When I watched the attack on Israel by Iran on April 14th, I could see this as an event that foreshadows another war that will come against Israel in the future. The Bible speaks of a war that will happen to Israel in the latter days. Found in Ezekiel 38, a coalition of forces from the extreme north of Israel (possibly Russia or Turkey) plus Iran, Sudan and Libya will come against Israel. Did you ever think that Iran would dare to strike Israel? Well, it happened. Carefully orchestrated and announced ahead of time so that their missiles would not actually hit major population centers, Iran announced to the world that it is not afraid to strike Israel. A line was crossed and there is no going back. When Iran and her allies are ready, they will invade and attack Israel.

When the time comes, will any nations help Israel? Sadly, Israel will be on her own, and we are currently watching the foreshadowing of this in cities around the world and on college campuses. Antisemitism is rearing its ugly head, and even when these demonstrations stop and the war in Gaza is over, people will continue to hate Israel. This antisemitism has taken root globally, and it will not easily be pulled out.

Not to worry, though. Even though men will not come to Israel’s defense, the Lord will strike the invading armies dead on the mountains of Israel. This will not be a pretty sight and will according to scripture affect the entire world when it sees this happen.

As we watch the foreshadowing of future events, what should our response be in this incendiary climate? For one thing, we must not be taken in by those who would hate the Jews because of the war in Gaza. We must do what we can to stand up for the people who are being persecuted in their synagogues and on college campuses. So much of this reminds me of what happened in Germany in the 1930s. Jewish hatred was whipped up within the population to the point that people believed they were subhuman. Once they were dehumanized they were systematically eliminated with little or no public outcry. We cannot let this begin to happen again, not on our watch.

Image by merandad. Courtesy of Pixabay.