Happy thing of the day: the smell after the rain (source: outside my window!)
I started this blog to find the HOPE that was missing from my life. I found so many sources of hope, and as my hope and faith grew, more blessings came my way. I went from barely being able to pay my bills to having two jobs and having to quit one because I was working TOO MUCH. I went from not knowing what the future held and being so scared about it, to realizing that God has a plan and my future will be amazing. I went from lost to FOUND!
Though my little journey has been bright and shiny, it has lately been filled with a little more doubt. My life has turned around and blessings are showering down on me and my wonderful man. However, with the political battle that is going on, my world has gotten rocked a little yet again.
I'm sure you have all seen these signs on all types of social media and on the TV. Though I haven't changed my profile picture to it, I have posted it on my page. I fully support equality for all people. Regardless of what that is. Marriage, having children, being able to eat wherever you want and not be denied service, so on and so forth.
WHY does it matter so much!? And WHY are the people standing up against this the very people that were taught to LOVE?! I am a Christian, I am an ally. My LGBTQ friends are some of the most important people to me, and NOT because they are LGBTQ! My best friend is a gay man, and our friendship has absolutely zero to do with the fact that he is gay. Our friendship is based on deep, meaningful conversation and truly unconditional love! I support him in everything he does and in every relationship he has.
Here is where my world gets a little rattled. My brothers and sisters in Christ are saying some absolutely terrible things about gay people, all of which I do not agree with. My gay friends are saying some terrible things about Christians. My athiest friends are making statements about "all Christians" or Christianity that simply just aren't true.
"My hope and prayer is that one day, when people hear a story about a gay couple falling in love, getting married, and growing old together, they can say with confidence, “Wow, what a beautiful story about two people rooted in love.” Love, regardless of sexual orientation, truly is a beautiful thing">>
This quote is by a very bright young girl. Her father is a pastor. Welcome to reality.
"This is not an insult to faith. Faith is defined as "evidence of things unseen." I was taught VERY WELL not to question anything I was told, both by my patriarchal community and my fundamentalist religion. Question they couldn't answer? "That's not pertinent to your salvation." No thinking required, or allowed, in religion.">>
This quote is by a very wonderful lady that was in the admin office at my high school.
I have never been taught not to think for myself. I was raised in a very conservative household. I was also taught that my opinions are my opinions. There is nothing wrong with thinking differently, and that I should stand up for what I believe in. I will stand up for my friends and for their rights, and I will stand up for my God.
I believe in Christ, I believe he has saved me from many terrible moments in my life. Some that I have put myself in, and some that I have found myself in.
I believe in gay rights. I believe that if God created you that way, there is absolutely nothing wrong. We are all created in God's image, and if He loves you, why should anyone think any differently.
Jesus said to love....so go do what He said to do!
Rant over!
