Whoever

This past week I did something I have been waiting with much worry and angst to do for the last 3 years. This past week I came out to my home congregation during a small group meeting on the issue of human sexuality. While I have talked to many groups of Christians with regards to reconciling my faith and my sexuality none have been as hard as this one. I definitely felt up lifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit and by the prayer of many of my friends and family. Below is the opening statements I made...or rather cried through. I am really glad I was able to say these things along with others throughout the discussions that night. It is a weight off the shoulders in someways and makes being fully me in all areas of my life and world more of an option. I look forward to seeing where these discussions take my church and hope and pray that no matter what side of the issue they end up on, that that will support me in seminary.

Skakes

John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that WHOEVER believes in him should not perish but have eternal life". I am one of those "whoever's" and I am also a Lesbian Christian. At the heart of this is accepting who you are before God. "for it was you who formed my inward parts; yo knit me together in my mothers womb" in the words of psalm 139 "I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The beginning of sanctity is loving yourself as a creation of God. And that means all of yourself, even the parts that you wish weren't there, the parts that you wish God hasn't made, the parts you lament. God Loves us like a parent loves a child-often more for the parts of the child that are weaker of were the child struggles or falters. More often then not those very weaknesses are the most important paths to holiness because they remind you of your reliance on God.