Dreams… even in the midst of bitterness

So, it’s somewhat surreal to consider all that Martin Luther King Jr stood for… even moreso when you consider the condition of this great land when he did so.

This past Summer, Sheila and I went to a movie together – she chose “the Help” (she heard it was funny and I let her choose).  I had no idea what I was in for.  While the story is, at times, hilarious, the condition of the lives of people at that time was not.  Racial hatred (not simply prejudice) was rampant in the streets. It was a safe place for me to be reminded of what we’re still coming through as a nation… judging people more by the color of their skin than the “content of their character.”

Since then, we’ve allowed Marissa and Makayla to both see “the Help” (despite the language issues, we believed it to be an important film and a way to introduce them to an understanding of how far we’ve come as a nation – - and how much is still left to go.

This morning, I took a moment to read the words (rather than watch the video) of the “I Have a Dream” speech that Dr. King delivered on August 28, 1963.  The moments were surreal… considering that the wonderful African-American lady who works at Panera would have been considered less than the God-created-image-bearing lady that she is less than 60 years ago (which I’m guessing she was a little girl as the speech was delivered). 

People… today (and every day), we need to remember that all men – black men and white men – are created equal!  It was a dream that one man… and a nation of African-American men and women… and our nation’s leaders had the guts to dream just a few decades back.  

Let me ask you this… what reality do you have the guts to dream regardless of the current situation?  What injustice will you stand in the face of regardless of the opposition?  What dream do you have the guts to have even though you are dealing with the bitterness in your life? 

Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr for your life of dreams that we summarize in one speech.  Thank you for the example, both in racial equality and a life well-lived for the glory of God!

Peace!

Jeremy