Greetings Mt. Vernon Family,

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

While in seminary, I read an article entitled "A Cup of Coffee With God" by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I found the article both intriguing and hopeful. When it comes to spiritual giants such as the Rev. Dr. King, we often miss God's footsteps in the sand as He carried these spiritual giants along. We are busy looking at what we think are their strengths and achievements.

Dr. King lived under constant threat. On one occasion he received a phone call and the caller told him if he persisted, "in three days, we're going to blow your brains out and blow up your house." Dr. King begin to think about his newborn daughter and his dedicated wife. They could be taken away from him in an instant or he could be taken away from them. Dr. King bowed over a cup of coffee and prayed out loud. “Lord I’m down here trying to do what’s right. I think I am right. I think the cause that we represent is right. But Lord, I must confess that I am weak now. I’m faltering. I’m losing my courage. And I can’t let people see me like this because if they see me weak and losing my courage, they will begin to get weak.”

The Lord addressed him by name. “Martin Luther King, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And lo, I will be with you, even until the end of the world.” Dr. King experienced an inner calm. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.

AMEN!

Pastor Deborah Giles