Parker: We need to live by Dr. King’s words every day
As a national day of service arrived to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., perhaps this important time needed pause and reflection.
Start with Dr. King’s famous quote regarding greatness.
“Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love” Dr. King said.
While social scales frequently weigh success by financial stability, titles and resumes, other ways exist for worthwhile achievement.
Any question regarding just how great a person wants to be remains a personal desire, not necessarily open for public discussion.
Of course, no human law exists that someone must do anything for anyone. Yet, ask anyone who volunteers or performs even minor acts of philanthropy about the spiritual payoff.
They will tell of unimagined connections with people, an opening of cubby holes of love and affection that had been shuttered.
U.S. citizens have eroded sensitivity as society appears more violent and less trustworthy. Being raised in a small, country town of Winslow, Camden County, allowed for a different response to someone with car trouble or a family recovering from a house fire.
Winslow inhabitants, no matter the color, ethnic background or religion faced similar daily and life challenges or as Dr. King espoused, “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat.”
This similar understanding occurred in Trenton’s Chambersburg, previously from European ethnicities and now for Latinos and Spanish-speakers.
Dr. King marched and represented all people with his powerful message of love, light and peace.
This idea that one day of service, remembrance and date stamp, somehow squares us with Dr. King’s life work of change through non-violence, undercuts this world civil rights champion.
One day? The United States struggles with racism, bigotry, gender bias, discrimination, racism, socioeconomic warfare and a litany of other problems based on the simple facts that citizens backslide on these issues, believing one day can impact a year.
Our inability to make headway on racism and justice connects with a lack of courage and daily commitment to stand against bias.
Our difficulty in eradicating poverty and all of its accoutrements shows a lack of compassion as profit overshadows common decency.
We fail to challenge people in our family circle, friends, neighbors, even loved ones who share our beds and bodies, petrified about being alone or different.
One day? Greatness requires more than a 24-hour exercise. Champions, social game changers, athletes and leaders require time, dedication and perseverance for cultivation of success.
One does not simply run a marathon. Hours of physical and mental training, good sleep habits, nutrition and other items serve as preparation for distance competition.
Dreams offer mental musings but hard work and daily commitment powers upward mobility. When those efforts extend to helping others then amazing spiritual revelations occur.
We must begin somewhere which meant a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast at Samaritan Baptist Church allowed a jumping off point of volunteer service for the Hollingshead family.
Duane and Tiffany Hollingshead visited the 18th annual breakfast offered by Bishop Joseph and First Lady Mary Ravenell.
“I talked to my sons this morning about making a difference by helping others. I wanted them to come back and help the community that their parents group up in,” Duane Hollingshead explained.
Jordan served on the food line as guests enjoyed a hot meal, music, fellowship and prayer.
Jaden helped his mother serve coffee and tea. Gifts included clothing and food offerings.
The Hollingshead family joined Samaritan Baptist Church with a connection to another Dr. King insight.
“Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.”