"Love Is Ultimately the Only Answer"

"I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems. And I'm going to talk about it everywhere I go. I know it isn't popular to talk about it in some circles today. I'm not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love, I'm talking about a strong, demanding love."   ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

I read this quote today in Teacher Tom's blog post. It's not a quote I remember reading or hearing before. It's a quote that has stayed with me throughout the day. 

Strong, demanding love. Love that sees beyond barriers or differences. 

I want to live that kind of love...but I must admit that sometimes it's hard. Maybe I don't struggle with loving someone of a different race or color. But what about someone of a different political opinion. Or someone who makes much less or much more than I do. Or someone younger or older. Or someone who is just irritating.

Strong, demanding love. Love that sees beyond attitudes and circumstances.

As someone who interacts regularly with young kids, I also run into instances that may challenge that love. The child who won't sit still or stop talking. The child who won't talk or who wants to just watch. The child whose brain works differently and acts differently. The child who does "it" one more time. 

Strong, demanding love. May God help me live that love with the children and the adults I encounter every day.