A Father's Love.

Yesterday I had the most beautiful experience of seeing pure love in action. After church a man introduced himself to me and asked if I had a moment to speak with him and his 19 year old daughter. I said of course.

The parent wanted to know a little more about what I did. He had been following my blogs on Facebook, though not a friend (which blows me away) and wanted to hear more. So, we chatted. 

I watched as the young girl sat quietly, smiling. It was clear she had a struggle that was deep she needed to share. Finally the father came to the real reason for their visit. They had been in a religion for that past 20 years that prohibited any form of homosexuality. Suddenly in her freshman year of college, the young girl had wondered if she were gay, shared the experience with her dad and asked for guidance. 

I was first amazed at the courage of the young girl, but then also even more amazed at the bond between the parent and child, so deep and cherished that the father would consider moving from a religion to find a place of comfort and security and truth for his child. It made my heart weep.

My mother sat next to me. She chimed in with some resounding wisdom about raising a gay child, which made me love her even more. When I think of unconditional love, I can't imagine someone honoring me more than she does. She would never want me to be sad or unhappy, as was the case with this young father. 

If you are in a situation where religion or society frowns on the very person that you are or choose to be, it is time to rise up and move from condemnation! 

God created you perfectly, my friend. You may need to discover who you are and bring your own morality to your decision, but your desire to be with a man or a woman is not for anyone to choose but you. I'm thankful that this parent was compassionate. Most, however, are not. 

So, I pray today: "God, in a world where everyone seems to have a strong opinion about the rights of others, give us the strength to stand up and be counted. To love and be loved with purity and grace--to never let anyone, whether rule or law stands in the way--choose for us our path to loving. Be the light that shines within us and the truth shall set all mankind free!"