Martin Luther King who graduated from Morehouse College after studying medicine and law had not intended to follow in his father’s footsteps by joining the ministry. Martin went off script when he changed his mind under the mentorship of Morehouse’s president, Dr. Benjamin Mays, an influential theologian and outspoken advocate for racial equality. After graduating in 1948, King entered Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree, won a prestigious fellowship and was elected president of his predominantly white senior class.
In 1953, Coretta Scott who was studying voice at the New England Conservatory of Music went off script when she met and wed Dr. King, Boston College graduate in Systematic Theology. Although Coretta Scott King abandoned her career she did not abandon her independence. She insisted they delete the word obey from their wedding vows. Their joint legacy included four children: Yolanda Denise King (1955-2007), Martin Luther King III (born 1957), Dexter Scott King (born 1961) and Bernice Albertine King (born 1963).
Probably the most famous off-script King experience occurred on August 8, 1963, at the March on Washington and at the prompting of singer Mahalia Jackson. On that famous occasion, Dr. Martin Luther King extended his original four-minute speech to 16 minutes as he presented his improvised homily that began “I Have a Dream”.
If you Google I Have a Dream you can receive about 123,000,000 results in 0.34 seconds. That’s an example of what can happen if you go off script, dream and believe you cannot fail.
Martin Luther King Day might mean another paid day off work, and for many people, that’s reason enough to celebrate. But when you scratch the surface of what this holiday is really about, you may come to have a whole new appreciation for how one man changed our nation’s history and influenced its current social state.
King reminds us that “Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.”
What if all of our life scripts included directions for us to dream, speak our love, forgive, appreciate diversity, listen, gladden the heart of a child, find the time, try to understand, laugh a little, laugh a little more …?
What if?
Until next time, remember,-
You are not alone.
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You are not your circumstances.
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You have everything within you to live a purpose-filled life.
is a best selling author, Breakthrough Speaker and Spiritual coach. She has spent the last fifteen years mentoring and coaching those needing direction and support in the areas of life skills, leadership development, effective and efficient communications, and improved self-image. Connect with Tyra to get the support and help you need. Contact Info: Tyra Garlington Email: Tyra@TyraGarlington.com For Bookings and Inquiries: (813) 994-9462 As a Breakthrough Coach, Spiritual Coach and Christian Coach, Tyra offers a variety of breakthrough services including but not limited to: Personal Empowerment Coach :: Spiritual Coaching :: Breakthrough Coaching :: Christian Speaker :: Professional Speaker :: Breakthrough Speaker :: Personal Empowerment Speaker
