Coming Out

Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?

Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?

Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,

through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me.

-The Summons

Today has been one of those "go, go, go" days.  Tuesday and Thursdays tend to be that way, seeing as majority of my classes take place on these days.  While it can be wonderfully filling, it is also full of motion.  Going here, then there, then back here.  You get the picture, right?

There were two times in my busy day where I was just sitting and as I like to say, "being".  The first was at Morning Prayers which was part of the Smyth Lectures being held here on campus.  (Justo Gonzalez was our guest lecturer and AMAZING.  He's worth a google.  Seriously.) The second time I was able to just sit and be was at the Imago Dei Coming Out Day Worship Service.  

Today, October 11, is National Coming Out Day.  It is a day to promote a safe world for LGBT individuals to live truthfully and openly.   Imago Dei is our LGBT alliance group here on campus, and I am honored to serve as a co-moderator for this group.  I feel blessed also to serve as an ally to the LGBT community.   

We are pilgrims on the journey
We are siblings on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load
- Servant Song

Being an ally isn't just in my nature, it's in my heart.  The pride and admiration I feel for friends who are LGBT isn't only because they are awesome and amazing individuals, but for their boldness in rejoicing who they are.  I am proud to walk along side them in seeking equality - in the working world, in the home, and in the church. I am not only an ally on days full of sunshine and rainbows, but I am an ally on the days when there seems to be no light shining at all.

I will hold the Christ light for you

In the night time of your fear

I will hold my hand out to you

Speak the the peace you long to hear.

- Servant Song

Regardless of where you stand - to the right or to the left, the aisle in between leads to the table that welcomes ALL.   I was reminded of this tonight at worship when the bread was broken, the cup poured out, and the blessing made.  Christ invited everyone to that table.  The table is not a place to hide behind nor is it to be used as a weapon of discrimination. 

I was reminded tonight. 

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

From sorrow, toil and pain,

And sin, we shall be free,

And perfect love and friendship reign

Through all eternity.

All are welcomed at the table.  

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

Have you ever felt this way towards someone you love?  You love them unconditionally but wouldn't mind if they would stop touching their silverware to their teeth when they eat, because that noise makes you cringe like nobody's business.

I have to admit - guilty like whoa on this one. The post I wrote the other day on perfection has kind of stuck with me. And has made me feel a bit hypocritical which I hate feeling.  I've noticed I get frustrated at other people for their lack of perfection. I seem to hold everyone else up to these higher standards, and yet when I think about it, I can't even maintain the standards.

Yikes.

And ouch, to my self esteem.

I wondered about this often over the past week; I like to think I am a nice, friendly and kind.  But I don't always act like that - especially when I work alongside people who don't do things like I do, or when I hear stories about things I highly disagree with, or even when I am driving along some Atlanta roads with some not so courteous drivers. I don't like this version of me.  It goes against everything I spoke about the other day!

So what to do? I like this quote from Leonard Cohen; I think it speaks to ways of embracing not just my own imperfections, but in accepting other's imperfections.  So what if my peers don't wipe down the counters how I would wipe them down; I have years of experience working in my family's kitchen and a catering kitchen where we had certain expectations.  Instead of whining about it, I could embrace their way as they show a different way.  So what if that car cuts me off and leads me to think ugly thoughts toward them; I should just take a deep breath and pray that if they are in a hurry, they get there safely.  And do the people who think different thoughts?  That is an opportunity for my mind to be expanded.

My personal goal this week is to stop looking at and judging the imperfections I see in people and start embracing them.  Who knows - the light might shine on something new.

Gracious God, you created a unique and very diverse world. Help me to notice the variety of gifts and talents and embrace them; keep my eyes open to see all people as you do, and love them as you do.  In a world so full of injustice and hatred, I pray I keep your love in my heart and in my actions.  Let me remember that even cracked bells ring clear and beautifully. In all I do, I pray  I remember the grace you so freely give me and remember that with all the people I serve and love. In your name, Amen.