A couple of days after reading “Why Would Anyone Want to Be “Delivered” From Homosexuality? “, I had a conversation with a gentleman that I met some years ago. He asked me how was my wife doing and I replied I was not married anymore…my wife decided she did not want to be married or at least married to me. His reply was something that I had said to others numerous of times but never had any one say it to me, “Well there is another man or a women out there for you.” I quickly replied, “Woman without a doubt.”

The conversation left me thinking about the experiences that I have encountered over the past three years of my life. Three years ago if that man would have said that very thing to me I would have jumped all over him. But, after meeting and sharing many conversations with same gender loving (SGL) folks I have changed. Honestly and truthfully, I don’t completely understand the gay and lesbian lifestyle. I understand biblically both sides of the argument when it comes to same gender loving relationships. I understand culturally the impact of “coming out.”. But, the past three years of my life have brought me into community with SGL folks who I have worshipped with, who have prayed for me when I was down to last ounce of hope and I have shared many afternoons of laughter. They have given an unconditional love that was centered on their love for God.

I have never publically said anything about the SGL community because I was never really sure about my stance. But the relationships that I have developed with my fellow students in the past three years have given me such a first-hand experience that has changed my life. They have shown me that they love God in spite of being ridiculed by those who oppose their lifestyle. They have stood up with honor and made proclamations that we want to serve and practice their faith the same as others in their particular faith dynamics. I admit, I do not understand the hows and the whys but I do know what I see every day as I walk across the Lutheran Seminary campus. I see folks working as hard as I am to make their calling and election sure; I see folks wrestling with what it means to be SGL and Christian; I see folks wrestling with what it means to be the image of God; I see people of God…

If that makes me an advocate for the SGL community then so be it…