Somewhere Over the Rainbow

I don't know where this community has been hiding. Maybe I have been too blind to see them. 

I promised Hadley I would find an affirming church--not just an accepting one. We found it, and ya'll, it is everything my rainbow dreams are made of.

Not only are there beautiful gay couples all around us, but there are trans folks and drag queens and I'm sure more letters from LGBTQ+! And quess what? They believe the same gospel, the same Bible, that other churches do. They might not interpret it exactly the same. I mean, they see more love coming from God than hate for others. They seem to see more acceptance coming from Jesus than finger-pointing and shouting of scripture. But the word is spoken and studied. It is used to teach the GOOD NEWS from Jesus. I've never been in such an uplifting, inviting, love-filled environment as this. 

Since attending this church, Hadley been more confident in who she is. She isn't ashamed that she is gay, because she is surrounded by people like her, people that are affirming to her (as I have) that God loves her exactly the way she is, and she is perfectly made.

It turns out, the things I learned growing up about God and the gays are quite wrong. 

Who knew? 

If you believe being gay is wrong, because you are reading Leviticus, you must also believe that you cannot "trim off your hair on your temples, and you must not clip the edges of your beard, as a heathen." Ridiculous, right? Also--eh-hem-- "Do not take advantage of foreigners in your land. Do not wrong them. They must be treated like any other citizen. Love them as yourself." 

The Bible says this. 

Right around where people claim being gay is "wrong." 

The Old Testament.

I'm not a scholar, but I can read. And if we are following Leviticus, life is about to change. 

I was told a lot of things growing up. My mom, who was wonderful in every way, would often say, "The Bible says..." and tell me some facts. I never questioned where or what. 

All I can say is that this group of people that Hadley and I have found are what I imagine Jesus being like. The love from this place is overflowing. If you are homeless, they will pour love on you. If you are rich or poor, sick or well, gay or straight, married or single, young or old, you will feel the love from this group of people. 

My dream for Hadley has always been for her to be true to herself, no matter what. No matter what others said or thought. No matter how different she was from others. 

Seeing her confidence in who she is, who she has always been, is so reassuring and exciting. 

Isn't that what we all want, for our kids to live their truest lives and be who they are at their core? Pure happiness and self assuredness? 

And a little Jesus is the cherry on top.