You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

That quote by Ghandi is written on my heart – imprinted on my heart. Like a tattoo.

God has gifted me with a huge passion for making a difference in the world. Not just an ordinary difference, but a big difference. All my adult life, I have sought out opportunities where I could pitch in and really change the world.

You can imagine my excitement when I had the opportunity to attend the Free to Live tour a few years ago. Leaving that event, I was on fire. On fire about how I could change the world. I wanted to do something crazy.

As I sat back and reflected on that event – and on the months preceding it – I realized God had been preparing me for something. I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but my husband and I agreed that I couldn’t do it as long as was working in youth ministry.

We began to make arrangements for me to leave my position and become open to whatever it was God was calling me to. When people asked what my plan was – what I would do next – my response was, I really want to write. And volunteer with local organizations that are working to stop human trafficking. I’d love to dive into raising awareness about human trafficking and help stop it. They thought I was crazy. I was ecstatic.

Not too long after I turned in my resignation, I discovered I was pregnant with my first child. And all my great plans – plans to volunteer, plans to write, plans to be the change – they were all put on hold. I didn’t know for how long they’d be on hold – but I knew I wouldn’t be able to dive into volunteering the way I had planned.

I hoped once my daughter was born I would be able to get back at it. Moms go back to work at 8 weeks all the time – so of course I’d be able to work from home and take care of my little one at the same time. But my husband made me promised myself – and my unborn child – that I would take as much time as I needed. I was under no pressure to go back to work – whether it be in a paid or volunteer setting – and neither of us was real sure what life would look like after her birth.

So I took some time and we found our new normal. I tiptoed back into finding opportunities to write. I realized that the way in which I could volunteer was very different than I first imagined. I quickly became overwhelmed. How could I possibly be the change I wish to be while I’m consumed with meal planning, laundry, and dirty diapers?

It wasn’t long after that I discovered Refuse to Do Nothing: Finding Your Power to Abolish Modern-Day Slavery. Written by two mamas who are desperate to stamp out modern-day slavery, it landed on my doorstep at the perfect moment.

Take a look:

Are you a mama longing to make a difference but you feel consumed, and maybe even overwhelmed, by your day-to-day stuff? Do you have a passion for changing the world but you have no idea where to start? Are you searching for community with other like-minded mamas?

If so – I invite you to join me in a little experiment. Here are the details:

Who: Any mama who wants to learn more about the issue of modern-day slavery and what we can do to abolish it

What: Google+ Hangout on Air

When: Four consecutive Monday nights at 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT), beginning August 5

Where: You can find links to every event by checking out Bibledude.net on Google+

• Monday, August 5th – Refuse to Do Nothing: Join (Chapters 1-3)
• Monday, August 12th – Refuse to do Nothing: Advocate (Chapters 4-7)
• Monday, August 19th – Refuse to do Nothing: Change (Chapters 8-11)
• Monday, August 26th – Refuse to do Nothing: Repeat (Chapters 12-15)

Why: It’s an opportunity to sit down with like-minded mamas over a cup of tea (or coffee) and chat about how we can find the power to abolish modern-day slavery.

It’ll be like a virtual small group! Who’s in?