In Memory of Rosa Parks, Born This Day 98 Years Ago

" People always say that I didn't give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn't true. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in."

                 ~ Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks departed this world  on October 24, 2008 but her legacy lives on in the heart of this nation.  Her legendary boldness of standing up to oppression by refusing to give up her seat on a public bus to a white passenger, breaking current law, was a spark that ignited a fire that helped give birth to the civil rights movement.

Congress would later refer to her as "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement".

Let's find ourselves inspired today by this woman of courage and integrity. She risked much for standing against what she knew was wrong. May we all find the courage and boldness in Christ when we see humanity threatened to step up and raise a voice against oppression and cruelty.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for blessing us with beautiful individuals of courage and grace who help light a path for us to follow. May we, like Rosa Parks, follow the footsteps of Jesus and overturn the tables of moneychangers. Help give us the courage to raise our voices against the darkness in the world-the oppression, the cruelty and the chains that threaten to bind themselves around the hearts of Your children, threatening to prevent them from finding freedom in You. May Your Spirit guide us, with discernment, into bringing Your light and Kingdom to this place, often filled with chaos and suffering. Help us to bind the brokenhearted, bring good news the poor and free Your people from all forms of oppression.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. 

Amen.