Looking for my WWJD bracelet

I've been thinking about this particular blog post for several days now, and I still have absolutely no idea how to start. I'm currently starting over for probably the 5th time....and I'm not promising the crap I'm typing right now won't become another victim of the Delete button in a few minutes.

You see.....this recent election has really done a number on my head...and my heart. And I don't know what to do about it.

I mean, there are some really good people out there who definitely think I'll be ruining the institution of marriage if gay marriage becomes legal and Amy and I decide to take the plunge (which we're doing anyway, even though it will bring no legal benefits). And in this world of the WWJD t-shirts and rubber bracelets and bumper stickers, do these people honestly believe Jesus would have their backs on this one? The same Jesus who preached the Beatitudes? The same Jesus who clothed the naked and fed the hungry? The same Jesus who cured the blind man? The same Jesus who told the crowd "you who have not sinned may cast the first stone?"

Because in my relatively simple mind, the answer is "no."

So can someone please help me understand something? If these good people are hearing these "gay marriage will ruin the world" messages from their churches....and at least some people in attendance haven't lost the gift of common sense.....then why in the hell aren't more people standing up and saying "Bullshit!"?

I'm serious.

The whole thing brings to mind that question our mothers asked us when they feared we were being too influenced by someone or something else.....you remember it....."so please tell me, sweetheart - if ____ told you to jump off a bridge, would you do it??"

And I don't know about you, but I always answered that question in one of two ways.....either with a sarcastic "NOOO, Mom - geez!" or with complete silence.....because I knew she was right.....I was allowing myself to be influenced in potentially unhealthy ways, and I was losing the ability to think for myself.

For instance, I remember something I was told back when I was in the convent.....basically, I was told I was honoring God with my promise of obedience to my superiors.....so much so that even if I felt God was asking something of me that wasn't necessarily in harmony with what my superiors were asking of me, it would be better for me to be obedient to my superiors than ignore what they were asking in favor of what I thought God was asking. And although I never said it outloud, I sure as hell said it to myself - Bullshit. But then again, I did only last a mere 18 months in that place.....

But seriously - common sense, which I believe is a gift from God, needs to come alive in us....especially when people in authority are telling us to do something that stirs up that feeling inside us that says "something isn't right here"......

So when a church says something like "we believe in the dignity of homosexual persons..." but then, what? You give us dignity while making it perfectly clear you won't allow us to be happy? Because our happiness will somehow act as a poison for all those "traditional marriages" out there? You think that's dignifying behavior? Bullshit.

And for those of you out there reading this who believe it's possible to push those nasty same-sex desires out of your heart because that's what the church has told you to do, the only thing I can say to you is, well, Bullshit.

Because as surely as I know the sun rose this morning and set again this evening, I know God is the mastermind behind my relationship with Amy. And if you think that's an impossibility, then I think you already know what my response will be. Bullshit. Because as I mentioned in a much earlier blog entry, we either believe all things are possible with God, or we don't. There simply isn't room for anything in the middle.

And if you're still stuck with this image of a God who can't bless or find joy in a love between two people, regardless of their genders, then I will pray for your God to become bigger in your heart.....even if that means you'll end up shouting "Bullshit" in the middle of Mass someday.

And when that happens, give me a call. And if that call comes after 9/20/13, we'll go out for a beer....and I'll show you our wedding pictures.

One week later....and thankful.

Well, it's over. The Marriage Amendment didn't pass. Our state constitution will not be amended to proclaim that marriage can only be between one man and one woman.

And tonight for dinner, Amy and I ate leftovers.....with a glass of wine. Oh, and a friend from work dropped a Christmas wreath off - we bought it from her kids. We each just finished reading our respective books. Now we're sitting on the couch, watching Modern Family.....still working on that glass of wine. I'm thinking about watering the plants. And I really should clip my fingernails before I go to bed tonight. Amy is working on something for church. I'm kind of wishing I was wearing socks, because my feet are cold.

And my state's constitution will not be amended. And I am thankful.

And I'm going to continue to take a shower every morning, and I'll keep brushing my teeth twice a day, and I'll stop the car when the light turns red, and we'll put up the Christmas tree sometime after the turkey has had ample time to digest, and I'll wear gloves when it's cold outside, and I'll tie my shoes before leaving the apartment, and we'll keep hitting the snooze button just once every morning before we finally groan and get up.

And my state's constitution will not be amended. And I am thankful.

And when we finally buy a house, we'll get a dog. And I'm trying to come up with Christmas gift ideas, and wondering if we should put a tv in the bedroom, and I'll try to find room in the freezer for that bottle of irish whiskey, and I'll get the coffee ready tonight before we go to bed, and I'll eat my yogurt and grape nuts for breakfast tomorrow morning, and I'll get on that bus tomorrow afternoon so I can go read to that 7 year-old like I do every Thursday, and then we'll both get our hair cut Friday after work.

And my state's constitution will not be amended - life continues just like always. And I am thankful.

But to those of you who live here in Minnesota, thank you for voting - regardless of how you voted. And if you voted "no" like I did, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for trusting me when I tell you that Amy is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Because when it comes right down to it, neither one of us wants something extraordinary - we just think it would be nice if we're eventually able to file a joint tax return.....I know - romantic, eh?

But for now, it's enough to know my state's constitution will not be amended.

And I am thankful.

An entry from a special guest...

......the "Amy" creature to whom I keep referring:

I’ve been thinking about family a lot lately.  I am blessed to be surrounded by family – I’ve got a big one – more than 20 first cousins.  It’s common for me and Lynn to be out and about and run into someone I’m related to.  I am consistently in awe of people who move across the country – l once moved 3 hours  away, and that lasted 365 days.  We’ll leave that adventure for another time.  I love my family – immediate, extended and those I’m not technically related to - for all that they bring to my life: opinions, cheering sections, amazing food, and really…endless entertainment.

 One of my favorite things as Lynn and I have grown our relationship is the people I’ve met.  Since she moved to the Twin Cities my love has met some amazing folks.   These folks have become part of her life in all sorts of ways – and what has become clear to me in spending time with these people is that people don’t have to be related to you to be family.  Okay – I knew this beforehand – but I’ve lived it these past few months in a way I never thought possible. 

 Why am I writing this now?  We vacationed at a B&B in Austin, TX a few weeks ago, owned by some of these family members to whom I’m referring.  We spent time with some amazing women.  Their love of my love couldn’t have been move evident. 

I realize that my presence has pulled Lynn away from those she (and now me) hold dear…and I thought I’d take this opportunity to say thank you for sharing.  Thank you for cherishing and sharing this amazing woman…Blessed…so, so blessed.