Transcending Love

I had a conversation yesterday that was deep and touching and real. I just pray that I said the “right” things. My heart told me to speak words of love, and I’d rather err on the side of extravagant love, if I’m going to err.

Someone I care deeply about that is gay called and said, “I want to know how you handle my sexuality in light of what I know you believe about the Bible.” Wow – let’s just get right to the point. You can believe I sent up quick prayer for wisdom and guidance!

I responded by saying, “I love you. I can handle it because I love you. And Jesus loves you. That’s why he came. He sees us in our humanity – all of our mistakes, our wrong thinking, our sin, and knows we aren’t qualifed to have a relationship with a holy God. So he comes and offers forgiveness and shows us right into our Father’s presence. There are no big sins and little sins. Homosexuality is not a bigger sin than addictions, or unforgiveness or gossip, or anything else we can name that separates us from God. The Bible says that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. So in that way, your need is not any greater than mine was when I came to Jesus and confessed my need of Him.”

She then told me that the biggest weight she carries is shame. A heavy burden indeed. Jesus knows all about it.

I didn’t tell her what she needed to do. I didn’t take the opportunity to preach. I’m pretty sure that caught her by surprise, since when she had started the discussion, I had sensed her defensive tone. I am so thankful that she initiated an open dialogue and listened. When we got off the phone, she thanked me for talking to her about it! I am humbled. I pray that another chunk of the blinders fell from her eyes so that she can see the light of heaven drawing her.

To Tell the Truth

What do you do when someone says, “Okay, I’m a direct person and I need to know if you have a problem with this. I’m asking you to tell me how you really feel.” Do you tell the truth?

I was posed a question today by a neighbor over a really minor issue and asked to “be honest”. She feeds our dogs hotdogs and then calls to complain when they go up there and set up camp in her flowerbed (where it’s cooler) to wait for the next weenie to come out handout. So when she asked today if I have a problem with her feeding them, I (thought I) diplomatically said, “It would be better if you don’t do that.” You’d have thought I’d told her to go take a walk on the wild side by her outraged response. I mean she was mad. She loudly proclaimed she is sorry to have us as neighbors and ought to build a big old fence between us. (That would be a feat of engineering!)

My thought is “why did you ask if you didn’t want to know?” What was I supposed to do, lie?

People are interesting. I am reminded that I really hate confrontation. I was certainly not looking for it. Such a minor issue, any way you crack it. Maybe that’s why she has high blood pressure, ya think? I thought I’d feel better if I let myself rant in print. I’m not sure that I do.

Meet the source of this bone of contention. They are fondly known as "the girls."