Dreaming

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  A holiday observed in America to celebrate the life of a famous civil rights leader.  A pastor, a leader, a freedom fighter, and a peace keeper.  A man who fiercely believed in equality and justice, and was not afraid to speak up for those beliefs.  Not a perfect man, but a purposeful one. A sinner, and yet a saint.

A dreamer.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed; "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." 

 I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.  

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.  

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.  

I have a dream today! 

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. 

I have a dream today!

The words stir my very being.  Oh, Dr. King...I, too dream.  And alas, it is still a dream.  Although we are closer than when those mighty words of longing were spoken, we are yet so far.  

I know, because I fell in love with a man whose dark brown skin compliments the fair, peachy pink of my own. A man with the greatest smile you'll ever see, and the gentlest words, and kindest eyes, and brightest mind. And when I brought him home, there was much rejoicing that God provided a man who loved Him to love and care for me. 

And there were questions. And stares. And quiet whispers and long, loud, silences of those who want nothing to do with reconciliation.  Who have misunderstood the nature of the Gospel that frees them.

I know, because my definition of family changed in a matter of moments.

I know, because I heard the joke told in the office.  I saw the instant of shame, almost imperceptible, and not enough to quell the laughter or even change the subject.

I know, because I heard the presidential candidate spew vile words of hatred and scorn, and I heard the masses agree. And so few stood up to stop it. 

   "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

Today is a day for remembering.  A day for repenting.  A day for forgiving.  A day for changing.  A day for redeeming.  A day for embracing.  A day for learning.  A day for listening.  A day for loving.  

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." 

Thank you, Dr. King.  Let us keep on dreaming.  And let us invite others to build those dreams with us.