Dear Kids,
A few recent happenings in the media have brought up A LOT of heated emotions about homosexuality and Christianity. I wish EVERYONE telling their opinions on each side could have a view of our family about 20 years ago.
While I was a teenager in a small town of Idaho the news came out that I had two uncles who were gay. If the world thinks it is a big deal to "come out" now, well you should have seen the world about 20 years ago. These uncles are my dad's, your Papa's, brothers.
The upheaval that happened in our family, from my teenage lenses of the world, was just crazy. The news came out in the small town's newspaper and TV media about my uncles, but didn't name them specifically. My grandparents told their story and their opinions on the matter. I even remember in church one day being by my dad and having someone say to him, "So are you one of the those who are gay?"
Needless to say, our family learned years ago about the hate that can come up because of this argument. Maybe that is why I am just quiet a lot of times when my friends debate over which side is right and which side isn't. It's also why I think it is ridiculous for the cyber world to be so hateful on BOTH sides of the equation. It's because our family had to go through the processing much earlier than most people, and because of that I am very firmly rooted in my beliefs about it all.
But the point is...
It is interesting to look back and see the ebb's and flow's inside of the family's dynamics. A little "mini example" of what the world is doing with it right now. There were times of fighting. There were times of loving. There were times of acceptance. There were times of debate. There were times of major denial. There were times of tears. There were many times of confusion and trying to understand how to handle it all. Your Papa had countless family meetings with all of us about the whole thing. We read scriptures, we debated, we talked, we tried to sort it all out.
I wish the world could have a look at our family now. We love each other. We accept each other. BUT we don't always agree with each other. Everyone in our family has VERY different opinions on the philosophical, political and religious discussions about homosexuality and Christianity. Believe me, we have covered them ALL. But you know what matters 20 years later?
What matters is that I hug everyone in my family no matter what opinions they have and how different their opinions are from mine, and they hug me back. What matters is my dad speaks highly of his family, no matter what their beliefs are and if they are in line with his or not. What matters is that my grandparents have done the best job they know how to keep their family together.
What matters is no matter how liberal or conservative our views are, and there are VAST opinions around our extended family dinner table, in the end our hearts are open to each other. We have come to the point where we KNOW our different opinions on the subject, and there is no more room for debate. There is only room for love and moving on with our lives.
I believe it is a miracle that my father's family is intact and love each other. There is a big difference between how "Cyber Life" treats this subject and "Real Life" treats it. Our family has proven this is the case. We make it work. We treat each other as Christ would.
So, kids, remember that I love you. In our family we will teach you the principles that we believe about this whole issue, and then you will get your free agency to do the same.
I love you,
Your Mom
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