Family members have said to me when confronted with the fact that I might bring a significant other over for a visit to stay for a few days that I am "imposing my values" on them and their household.  Again, there is a lot to unpack here. There's a fear that being around children or youth might somehow influence them to stray from their heterosexual normative family and that somehow being gay can rub off.  There's a fear that questions will be asked, that pre-exposure to sexual ideas will sidetrack growth, or that their people in their social circles will judge them for "condoning" a lifestyle that colors outside the lines of their safe zone. 

Wait a minute...doesn't perfect love cast out all fear.  Why are so many people motivated by fear - especially in the church?  Shouldn't we be talking about perfect love?  About sitting down with people you might not agree with and showing them the love of God? I think God is big enough to take care of the details and convict those who need convicting. God sure doesn't need our help!

And what about judgment? When does the carpenter ever condone judging another soul outside those who are self-righteous and deep in their own hypocrisy? One family member said they have a right to judge other people to which I reply; life is too short...why do I want to waste my energy judging another person? To make me feel better than another person? To establish a social pecking order? Or maybe protect my own belief system? I believe that when a person really begins to have open and honest dialogue with another person, loving that person with no ulterior motive, that's when people begin seeing people through God's eyes. As far as belief systems, may never agree. In fact, we may just have to agree to disagree. But love can widen the circle and include family members and the ones they love, embracing the fact that they might be a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Care and compassion can be the biggest gift a family can give family members...especially those who may feel ostracized and hurt by the difficulties of life. c

I would challenge family members of LGBTQ+ people to lay aside prejudices and preconceived judgement...to forgo the need to be right...to understand that we might be judged by our own social circles...and despite that we can love the way the carpenter loved.  Purely. Without judgement. God's love. What have we got to loose? Our salvation?