I remember the day Coretta Scott King and Stevie Wonder, along with others, stood behind President Ronald Reagan as he signed the bill on Nov. 2, 1983, making the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. a national holiday.
“This is not a black holiday; it is a people’s holiday,” said Coretta, because service was at the heart of his dream. Dr. Martin Luther King lived out his faith in the public eye, and as he served others and advocated for justice, he left a model for us today.
The holiday, celebrated on the 18th of this month, could be viewed as just another day off, but instead it is a day full of hope and dreams.
For people of faith, this holiday gives us a chance to reflect and roll up our sleeves finding ways to honor Rev. King’s vision.
Today we honor Martin Luther King Jr., renewer of society, martyr, who died 1968. This message is adapted from a Women of the ELCA blog written by Valora K Starr.