DISCLAIMER: though I find most people that have or will read this blog to be open minded, open hearted, loving, and decent people, some may find the contents of this blog to be offensive or immoral. read at your own risk
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres... 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
August 1st, 2013, the day that gay and lesbian couples, including some close friends of mine can legally enter a mutual contract of matrimony in my beautiful and lovely home state. FINALLY. Today is one of those days that make me proud to be a Minnesotan, truly one for the books...a day that got me thinking about a lot of things. What do I do when this happens? Blog about it, of course. :)
As you all know, I grew up in Stillwater. SAHS was, and still is a very liberal and open school where most students and faculty welcomed and supported those in the LGBT community. We had a PRIDE organization, and participated in the Day of Silence every year. Sure, there were the select few that wore those infamous "it's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" tshirts, but overall everyone was respectful towards those who participated.
To me, there was nothing weird, different, or unnatural about being gay because it was always there, and what do I care who someone chooses to love? There are plenty of people who never find love, and my friends had. That's all that matters, right??
Enter: my family. We are a Christian, non denominational, bible believing bunch. See the conflict yet? We all know that the bible says being gay is a sin.
I remember being in high school, 16 I believe, when my mom found out I had a significant number of gay friends. I told her about it, thinking she wouldn't care, but she had a BIG issue with it, telling me that being gay was a sin, and that it's "immoral" to be gay, and to associate with "people like them". I didn't understand this at all...but to make a long story short, it was a big enough argument to keep us from talking for almost a month. After we made up, we never talked about it again, and still avoid the subject like the plague. To this day, I still don't think my parents will ever see my side, or become accepting of the gay community. Do I wish my parents would change? Of course I do, but as I've gotten older, I've figured out a way for me to not necessarily understand, but accept my parent's way of thinking.
Okay: this is kind of a long-winded explanation, but trust me...stick with it. It's honestly helped me A LOT. Ready?? Okay...here it goes...
I believe that there is one or two events in history that help shape and define a generation, and that generation takes what they've learned and passes it on to their children, and so on...
So in other words, each generation is more "evolved" than the last. I like to think about it like this...If my grandparents were like a pencil, my parents, like a typewriter, and my generation were like a computer...how can you expect a "pencil" to do, or to think like a "computer"? That would be stupid... Will that "pencil" ever be able to do what a "computer" can do? No, but that "pencil" is doing the best it can with the tools they have been given. How can you be angry or annoyed with that?
Got it? Maybe? okay...
Anyway, so I've struggled a lot with finding a common ground between my family and my friends. I've talked to my friends about believing in God and also supporting the gay community and finally feel comfortable with my faith and doing what I believe is right. (big shout out to Ashley S. Love our talks! <3)
After lots of thinking and reflecting, all I can think is this. My God is a loving, forgiving, and accepting God, and I seriously doubt he would want me to shun them just because of who they choose to love. All I can do is show them love and support that some of them don't experience very often, and let God deal with their "wrongdoings" when the time comes, if it even is one to begin with.
Does the bible verse above mention anything about gender? No. Love is love, folks...let's celebrate it, not forbid it.
<3
