In my youth, I attended the annual:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Luncheon

on MLK Day. It was a time of great refreshing where members of the community would encourage each other to continue working toward equality. Community Leaders delivered moving speeches and singers skillfully brought the house down. 

As an adult, I am thankful to have an employer that honors MLK Day. On my day off, I sketched to reflect on his service to humanity and listened to a recording of his “Letter From Birmingham Jail”.

Dr. King had serious barzzzzzzzz! As I listened, I felt convicted for the times I have shrunk back in silence or gone along with the crowd.

I was reminded to use my voice and take quick action when people are being mistreated. That is what God calls us to do:

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Proverbs 31: 8- 9

I have three children of my own and have made it my business to educate them on the power of their voice & responsibility to be an upstander. They know that at 9, 5, and 11 months old – they are positive change agents. They are impactful leaders already. 

In this home we conquer fear & shift atmospheres!

Leadership does not require one to be a certain age, possess a grandeur title, or have the mic at a podium. 

I am thankful for the constructive work of Dr. Martin Luther King and for the opportunity to keep pushing his mission forward.

We can never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was “legal” and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was “illegal.” It was “illegal” to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler’s Germany. But I am sure that if I had lived in Germany during that time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers even though it was illegal. If I lived in a Communist country today where certain principles dear to the Christian faith are suppressed, I believe I would openly advocate disobeying these anti-religious laws …”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail”

Let Freedom Ring,