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

~ The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, we remember the work and witness of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  It is terribly unfortunate that we are still marching, protesting, singing, “We shall overcome.”  Another generation has come and we are singing the same song, still holding on to hope, still holding out for change.  He died and we are complacently quoting him.  We will repeat his words but are we willing to sacrifice as he did?  It may take some dying– if only to self.

Instead, of passing hatred back and forth, it would require that we put down this boulder because it is more than a chip on our shoulders.  It is more hurtful than a pebble in our shoes.  And it only slows us down.

Without it, we could really walk in the shoes of another and make some real progress.  We are remembering his birthday and all we have is a monument to show for it.  We have not followed in his footsteps; instead, we take pictures of his.

We have not come to realize or accept the weight in our shoes.  It is hatred that causes us to drag our feet toward forgiveness and reconciliation.  We would rather carry it, then drop the façade that we are tired, hurting and in need of help.  But, I have resolved that we shall overcome only when we come over to our neighbor’s side– not just when it is convenient or supported by society.  But, when the burden of love crushes that of hatred into pieces so small that nothing of our maneuvering can put it back together, then we shall overcome… ourselves.