Beyond the Brink of Despair with MLK

Is someone here

on the brink of despair

because of the death of a loved one,

the breaking of a marriage, 

or the waywardness of a child?

Why despair?

God is able to give us the power 

to endure that which cannot be changed.

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A state agency engaged me to do a series of seminars with high school students as part of a day-long event that happened several times in several places.  My task was to address aspects of life that can be troublesome while giving participants the chance to share and process their own experiences.

I called my workshop “Death, Divorce and Other Deep Do-Do.”

Dr. King reminds us that such things are part of the reality of everyday life: the death of a loved one, the breaking of a marriage, or the waywardness of a child.

I love his next question: Why despair?

He answers that by saying God is able to give us the power to endure that which cannot be changed.

When you and I are facing the rough stuff of life, let’s remember that it’s still true: God is able to give us the power to endure that which cannot be changed.

With whom will you share that good news today?