MLK Day

This year Martin Luther King is more significant to me than it has been in other years to me. And it's all because I am reading this book right now:

If you have not read this book, please do. It is a fictional book set in the 1960's in "Jim Crow" Mississippi about relations between black and white people. I won't give away the plot but it tells the story of three women: a white post-college unmarried girl who is trying to find her place in the town she grew up in after moving back, a black older woman who is alone after her only son died and who is the maid for a white woman, and another black middle aged woman who has ruined her reputation in her town after sassing one too many rude white women. "The Help" refers to what the maids are called.

I have many convictions, but race relations have always been a sensitive subject to me. I have no idea why except the fact that I believe it is Jesus in me who leads me. I can't watch movies that deal with racism very easily because I can't stand to see it. It disgusts me like not many other things. Maybe it is because I grew up in Houston and I had friends of every race growing up, but again I like to think, in fact I know, it is God in me who influences me to feel this way.

Anyway, I'm sorry to be going on a personal rant right now but I just feel the need to recommend this book to any and everyone. Not only is it beautifully written, I appreciate its historical accuracy. I thank God for people like MLK who stood up and fought for their God-given rights. I also thank God that I do not have to live in a time where there is still need for people like him. I'm not saying race relations are perfect now by any means, of course. Racism just rears its ugly head back again after changing its appearance a little.

If you like reading, and even if you don't really, give this book a try.

On another note, I am thankful for two other things today:

The Keurig my co-worker bought for the office!

And these two babies!

Al and Kasha brought home a 6-week-old yellow lab puppy last night!!! They are my favorite!! 

(I hate using too many exclamation marks usually so this should tell you in itself how excited I am about it!!)

Have a good Monday!