Well, most of this holiday has been vegging out at home. Last Thursday night was the big fireworks show about two miles away. I went and watched them from the porch of my “ultra liberal Bostonian” neighbors. I use quotes because that is how they describe themselves. Anyway more about that in a minute.
Friday, didn’t do squat. It was awesome. I watched several movies and a concert. The concert was Jill Scott in Philadelphia. I thought several times how I wished to see crowds like that excited about the Lord. There is something very powerful about an “assembly” of people all there in agreement and of like mind.
While I did get a little ponderous about the comparison/contrast of worldly concerts and heavenly assemblies … I spent most of the time just completely enjoying Jill’s voice and lyrics.
Saturday was a semi veg day. I did a lot of cleaning around the house, went and worked out, grocery store and more movie watching. Today was of course church and then a friend came over and we hung out all day.
Back to the Bostonians …
… they invited another neighbor and myself up to their porch to watch the fireworks because they have the best view. Of course, afterward we were all yakkin’ it up telling stories and jokes. It was a lot of fun. Now, the Bostonian couple are older but a very young early sixties. They are very active. I see them walking around and having porch parties all the time.
The other neighbor was a lady who joined the fireworks viewing had given birth to a little girl right after I moved in here. She and her husband have had a rough time because their daughter was born with a genetic issue that I can’t pronounce much less try to type. Their daughter is SO cute and she makes the most adorable cooing noises all the time.
I won’t mention her real name hear of course but I will call her Joy.
Anyway, so we are all on the porch and since I am the relative newbie, the topic, of course, came to be describing what I do for a living. I quit trying to dance around the issue a long time ago. Instead of simply saying I work at a Christian Ministry. I tell them I work for a Christian Ministry called Exodus International and we deal with a redemptive look at homosexuality.
Of course people are usually like … Exo… huh? Redemptive what? And the unspoken question behind their eyes to be verbalized in about 3 to 5 minutes is … Does that mean your gay?
But not the Bostonians. They of course reaffirmed their “ultra-liberal” creds and talked about how they respect all forms of diversity and sexual expression. Mr. Bostonian said, “Oh and have you met Chris? The New Tribes Mission guy around the corner? He’s the kind of guy that thinks if it isn’t in the Bible it isn’t right! He’s been talking me up about my “testimony.”" and on and on.
I could tell Joy’s Mom had been tracking with me but she couldn’t get a word in with the rest of us talkative types.
It did take me about a minute to 90 seconds to realize that Mr. & Mrs. Boston were thinking I also held the liberal view of homosexuality. They were saying some not mean but not flattering things about the Missionary Chris. I finally spoke up and said, “Perhaps I should clarify some more. Chris and I would probably agree about a lot of things …”
And as I explained my views of dealing with “unwanted homosexuality” and not everyone who has same sex attractions want to be defined by those attractions and choose a different path in life … it clicked for them. They didn’t agree but were very civil and inquisitive.
Mr. Boston, “I have NEVER heard that before. Fascinating…”
Mrs. Boston, “We are straight forward people, if you’re nice you’re nice. If you are a jerk you are a jerk!”
She told me about one of her transgendered friends and a lesbian couple she knows. It was all very interesting and they asked a bunch of questions. After a barrage of pointed but friendly questions, Joy’s Mom said that I sounded very “progressive” because my views were far away from either the right or left.
heh … *me* … “progressive.” Did you hear that explosion? No, it wasn’t fireworks. Big Brother just fainted.
I have been called a lot of names, some good… some not so good. This is the first time I have ever been called progressive. 
It’s ironic to me since “progressive” is a political pseudonym for liberalism.
Anyway, I enjoyed that immensely.
It was a great discussion that led to more discussions about different things. We laughed a lot. As I left the porch, Mr. Boston shook my hand and Mrs. Boston planted a big ol’ kiss on my cheek and told me to come back and sit on the porch with them any time.
I guess I am not a jerk according to the ultra-liberal Bostonians down the street.
Related posts (automatically generated)
Add New Comment
Viewing 17 Comments
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment