A couple of weeks ago, our pastor asked us to look for miracles. I don't know about you, but I'm not sure anyone has ever asked me to look for miracles before. Ok, sure - I believe in miracles and the possibility of miracles, but have I ever actually looked for one?
Well, it didn't take long to find one.
I am not going to use any names here, simply because I haven't received permission to tell this friend's story......but I can't shake it from my own head, so I'm going to tell it here.....or I'm going to tell you at least some of it.
As I've mentioned more than a few times, we'll be voting on whether or not to amend our state constitution this November - this amendment would declare marriage is only between one man and one woman. To say this has become a heated debate would be an understatement. The passion and energy folks feel, on both sides of this issue, is overwhelming. And believe me - I have friends on both sides of this issue. It's safe to say most people I know have "Vote No" signs in their yards.....but I also have some good friends with "Vote Yes" signs in their yards. Their reasons are sound, and it's not a personal attack on me. This isn't the first time I've disagreed with friends, and it certainly won't be the last. Some of you might not understand, and that's ok.
But back to the story.....
One of these friends with a "Vote Yes" sign received an invitation to an Open House that was going to double as a fundraiser for MN United - the people behind the "Vote No" campaign. This invitation came from someone new to the neighborhood who thought this would be a great way to meet new neighbors.
So the morning of the scheduled Open House, my friend poured herself a cup of coffee and headed over to this new neighbor's house to ask if she could bring anything to the Open House. This new neighbor's reaction was something like, "but you have a 'Vote Yes' sign in your yard!" My friend replied by saying "yes - but your invitation said 'Everyone is welcome,' and I'd love to come over because I'm glad you're here."
Needless to say, they both stood there with tears in their eyes, and they ended up in a hug.
Friends, God is bigger than this stupid vote. God is bigger than these stupid yard signs. God is bigger (much bigger, in fact) than a State Constitution.
God is bigger than our differences.
God is bigger......and each time I let myself glimpse that reality of God, I experience another miracle.
The "miracle" isn't that God is bigger than all these things, but in my acceptance of it.
And amendment or no amendment, I will marry my love....in front of our big God.....in front of our families....in front of our friends.....in 367 days.
Quite simply, I have never been happier.
And as long as I continue to look for miracles, you can bet I'll find them. They're everywhere.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
My life. My liberty. My pursuit of happiness.
Over the past week or so, I've realized the following:
1. I have some amazing friends. Sometimes we agree - sometimes we cry together - sometimes we hurt each other - sometimes we laugh hysterically.....but we always find a way to appreciate each other and our differences....and we continue to cultivate those aspects of our friendships that brought us together in the first place. I am beyond blessed.
2. If I had children, I'm pretty sure I'd f*ck things up beyond repair.....and if I ever try to tell you that you're doing it wrong, please remind me that I have no damn idea what I'm talking about. I can't even imagine how difficult it is to raise a child.
3. I don't know what Amy and I did to deserve our little faith community.....these people came along when I didn't believe I'd ever call another church "home" again. Their very existence brought love into my life. I am grateful for the smiles, the hugs, the crazy little emails throughout the week, the nights of sewing and ironing, the shared meals, the laughter, and the total acceptance. It took me 40+ years to really learn the meaning of "community."
4. It takes only one small action from just a couple of people to create a huge amount of change. It's been a good reminder that if I simply continue to live openly and honestly, my life can actually create change. And that's no small thing.
5. You can't buy coffee (or anything, really) if you don't remember to bring money.
6. I fell in love with someone who comes from good people. Very good people.
7. This Marriage Amendment thing is difficult. And it's brewing a lot of hate on both sides of the issue. I can appreciate good passion, but not when that passion turns into hate. I'd love to see the "vote no" people stop stealing the "vote yes" signs.....and I'd love to see the "vote yes" people stop stealing the "vote no" signs. Issues like this can create amazing dialogue, but screaming at the opposition only spreads hate.....and I don't want any part of that. There is no room for that kind of hatred in my life with Amy. No room at all.
8. I love my life. I love my love.
1. I have some amazing friends. Sometimes we agree - sometimes we cry together - sometimes we hurt each other - sometimes we laugh hysterically.....but we always find a way to appreciate each other and our differences....and we continue to cultivate those aspects of our friendships that brought us together in the first place. I am beyond blessed.
2. If I had children, I'm pretty sure I'd f*ck things up beyond repair.....and if I ever try to tell you that you're doing it wrong, please remind me that I have no damn idea what I'm talking about. I can't even imagine how difficult it is to raise a child.
3. I don't know what Amy and I did to deserve our little faith community.....these people came along when I didn't believe I'd ever call another church "home" again. Their very existence brought love into my life. I am grateful for the smiles, the hugs, the crazy little emails throughout the week, the nights of sewing and ironing, the shared meals, the laughter, and the total acceptance. It took me 40+ years to really learn the meaning of "community."
4. It takes only one small action from just a couple of people to create a huge amount of change. It's been a good reminder that if I simply continue to live openly and honestly, my life can actually create change. And that's no small thing.
5. You can't buy coffee (or anything, really) if you don't remember to bring money.
6. I fell in love with someone who comes from good people. Very good people.
7. This Marriage Amendment thing is difficult. And it's brewing a lot of hate on both sides of the issue. I can appreciate good passion, but not when that passion turns into hate. I'd love to see the "vote no" people stop stealing the "vote yes" signs.....and I'd love to see the "vote yes" people stop stealing the "vote no" signs. Issues like this can create amazing dialogue, but screaming at the opposition only spreads hate.....and I don't want any part of that. There is no room for that kind of hatred in my life with Amy. No room at all.
8. I love my life. I love my love.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I need a lawn
Amy and I were really excited to hang our newly-acquired political sign from the balcony.....we picked up 5 signs from a woman in St Paul - they read "Another Catholic Voting No," and we gave 4 of them away to other folks we know. The sign was up for about a week before we were asked to take it down....because hanging a sign is not a privilege of renting property.....and deep down, I knew it would likely be a problem, but I did it anyway.....and I don't regret it. Neither does Amy.
Because a small action like deciding to hang a sign out on a balcony for a week really is enough to cause someone to think about this vote....this election....this amendment. My life with Amy is about refusing to hide in the shadows. I know it sounds cliche, but if living my life...in the open...with the woman I love can be enough to make even one person pause to think about this issue, then I will have achieved more than I ever dreamed possible. That was a painfully long sentence. My bad.
I know this amendment is coming from a place of fear.....and I do understand that.....because I also have some stupid fears. But here's the catch: I know that most of my fears are completely irrational.
Some folks are suggesting that my relationship with Amy is going to diminish the sanctity of your marriage. But in order for that to happen, you've got to allow it. Because I'll tell you something - nothing you do with your love....nothing you say to your love....nothing you decide to eat for dinner....nothing you watch on tv.....nothing you choose to drive down the road will ever be enough to change my relationship with the woman I love. Nothing. Period. You simply don't have that kind of power over my life......and guess what? I don't have that kind of power of your life, either. I just don't. And you're just going to have to deal with that.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to spend some time looking at houses for sale.....because I'll be damned if I'm going to be denied the opportunity to put a sign in my yard the next time something comes along that stirs up a passionate response in my bones.
Because a small action like deciding to hang a sign out on a balcony for a week really is enough to cause someone to think about this vote....this election....this amendment. My life with Amy is about refusing to hide in the shadows. I know it sounds cliche, but if living my life...in the open...with the woman I love can be enough to make even one person pause to think about this issue, then I will have achieved more than I ever dreamed possible. That was a painfully long sentence. My bad.
I know this amendment is coming from a place of fear.....and I do understand that.....because I also have some stupid fears. But here's the catch: I know that most of my fears are completely irrational.
Some folks are suggesting that my relationship with Amy is going to diminish the sanctity of your marriage. But in order for that to happen, you've got to allow it. Because I'll tell you something - nothing you do with your love....nothing you say to your love....nothing you decide to eat for dinner....nothing you watch on tv.....nothing you choose to drive down the road will ever be enough to change my relationship with the woman I love. Nothing. Period. You simply don't have that kind of power over my life......and guess what? I don't have that kind of power of your life, either. I just don't. And you're just going to have to deal with that.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to spend some time looking at houses for sale.....because I'll be damned if I'm going to be denied the opportunity to put a sign in my yard the next time something comes along that stirs up a passionate response in my bones.
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