Saluting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Original painting by Keith McLaurin

Today is the birthday of American icon of peace and unity, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was largely responsible for the level of cohesiveness and cooperation between the various races of our great nation.  When we salute Dr. King, we salute...

~Peace

~Freedom

~Equality for all

~Decency and humanity

~Respect for all people

~Love for our fellow man

~Uplifting the downtrodden

~A united, stronger America

~Dignity and grace under disgraceful circumstances

~Courage in the face of overwhelming odds

~The promise of a better tomorrow

~Bravery in the throes of fear

~Miracles in the midst of maltreatment

~Hope in the headwind of despair

~The greatness of God in the poorest of circumstances

~The healing of America in spite of hatred and hostility

~Unity instead of unnecessary division

~A comforting embrace instead of angry confrontation

Please join me in honoring Dr. King and his extraordinary legacy today.

Kem featuring Patti LaBelle and Ron Isley - Jesus

I heard this song on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on Tuesday.  I was instantly in love with the song. I couldn't find a video showing a live performance of this. Hopefully, someone who attends one of the two upcoming concerts Kem mentioned on the show that will include Ms. Patti and Ron Isley will be able to record and post the performance. Jesus... no other name is so powerful. It's the only name you need to know.

The Perfect Substitute

Sometimes it is necessary to find someone to stand in for us when we cannot be present. Parents hire babysitters to watch their children when they have to be away from home. Substitute teachers fill in for full-time teachers when they need to be absent from class for some reason. We all have situations at one time or another when we could use a substitute to act in our stead.

I encountered a situation that was complicated and it had me torn. Being there was possible but would have been accomplished with great difficulty. Wanting to be there was never going to happen. Prior experience had taught me that this was at least part of my walls of Jericho. No matter how I approached it, I have not gotten past the wall. If I showed up when needed, I was wrong. If I decided that it was best to stay away, I was wrong. If I said something, I should have kept my mouth shut. If I didn't say anything, I should have spoken up. The wall is always up and there is no way around it.

My decision on how to handle the situation was to step back, say nothing, and do nothing. There were others who could continue the march around the walls of Jericho. Perhaps they could accomplish what I could not. Someone else could stand in and substitute. 

The substitute may be under qualified. He or she could be over qualified. The substitute may be just proficient enough. If one could have the ideal choice, the candidate who exceeded the qualifications would be given the job. That is precisely what I decided to do. I handed my problem situation over to someone who would know exactly what to do at all times. No one can do that, right? Wrong!

God is the perfect substitute. I woke up with that thought on my mind and I knew that it was the answer that I had been seeking. No more marching around that particular walls of Jericho with nothing to show for it but swollen, painful feet and worn out shoes and patience. No more second guessing what I should do or say. With God, it is done. It is not complicated for Him.

What's your walls of Jericho? What is the problem that you can't fix? Stop going round and round never finding a way past that wall. Offer the job to God and let Him stand in your stead. God is the perfect substitute and His salary requirement is completely doable... a prayer. That's right. He is only a prayer away.

Wishing you Peace, Love, and Happiness,

Sunida

When was the last time?

Is there something that you enjoy doing that you haven't done in a long time? Remember, tomorrow is not promised to any of us.  Do the things that make you happy and be 

considerate of others so that the good karma catches up to you.

Peace, love, and blessings!

Sunida

When was the last time you?

-- Sang along with your favorite song even if you can't carry a tune?

-- Turned off the television and picked up a good book?

-- Ran a hot bath, climbed in and enjoyed a long soak?

-- Hugged your child?

-- Expressed appreciation for a job well done?

-- Stood up for someone who was incapable of doing it for herself or himself?

-- Took your spouse on a date?

-- Visited an elderly person?

-- Swallowed your pride and asked for or accepted a helping hand?

-- Watched the sun set or rise?

-- Gave someone a gift "just because"?

-- Smiled at someone?

-- Took a moment just for you?

-- Prayed for someone  other than yourself?

-- Slept in?

-- Released the guilt and forgave yourself or someone else?

-- Realized the fact that you are beautiful, worthy, talented, desirable, and valuable?

-- Laughed so hard, you were out of breath and your stomach hurt?

-- Inspired someone?

-- Danced even if you have no rhythm?

-- Conquered a fear?

-- Paid a good deed or blessing forward?

-- Savored a sweet moment?

Copyright © 2013 Sunida E. York