Let justice roll down like water, righteousness like a mighty stream.
For our grandsons and granddaughters remember to remember the dream
Welcome to Songs and Stories from Home as we continue to Remember the Dream. This week Our Dreams
As we complete this journey around the fountain that celebrates the Civil Rights Movement of the 50’s and 60’s, as we share songs and stories that bring to life what is etched in stone, I am filled with both gratitude and grief.
Gratitude that as a nation we have come so far, grief that we still have so far to go.
Gratitude for the words, the ideas, the ideals found in our Founding documents that let us have dreams, grief that so many of the words do not appear to truly be part of our nation’s heartbeat or our shared dreams.
Gratitude that there have been times the three branches of the Federal government have worked together to create a more perfect union. Grief that this is not one of those times.
Gratitude for those who had their lives taken in the freedom struggle. Grief for those had their lives taken in the freedom struggle.
Gratitude that as a nation we share so much in common, so much that unites us. Grief that as a nation too often we choose to obsess and be obsessed by what divides us.
Gratitude that often those differences are only skin deep. Grief that too often we let people get under our skin and too often are judged by the color of our skin.
Gratitude that most of us know what it means in our lives to be governed by grace. Grief that too often we choose to be governed by grievance.
Gratitude that it is clear that the one transformational thing in life is love. Grief that over and over we appear to choose to act out of anger and fear.
Gratitude that so many hold onto the idea that it’s right to grow up together, to go to school together, TO learn together, worship together, play together, pray together, fall in love together, find our way together, laugh together, cry together, sing together. Grief that too many appear to believe we don’t belong together.
Gratitude that the flag I pledge allegiance to ends with the words “liberty and justice for all.” Grief that as a nation we haven’t yet honored the true meaning of those words.
Gratitude that so many of us believe the world we are leaving to our grandchildren is in peril and needs our care. Grief that so many of us appear not to care.
So much gratitude, so much grief. In the end I choose gratitude. Grateful for a chance to remember the dream together. Grateful for a chance to continue to dream, together.
Let justice roll down like water, righteousness like a mighty stream.
For our grandsons and granddaughters remember to remember the dream
