The great thing about the journey of life is that there are frequent unexpected stops in place where we never would have planned to go ourselves. The most challenging thing about the journey of life is that some of the stops along the way are in places we never would have planned to go. God, in His infinite wisdom directs us and allows us, through the gift of free will, to end up in some of both places. Many have experienced these stops as a result of the people they are connected with. Our families are usually major contributors in these situations.
For years I have counseled spouses who have experienced infidelity, addiction, or unemployment, adults who had parents who abused or abandoned them, parents who fret over the directions their children’s lives are heading. These stops are not what we consider the green pastures we are lead to lie down in spoken of in Psalm 23. In fact, they feel more like the stormy boat ride in Luke 8.
This is where my story comes in. I am the mother of a transgender person. She is not a freak...our lives have been freaky through the past years of suicide attempts, cutting, social anxiety, hospitalization, medications and depression. When she finally began to transition I didn't have to live every day wondering if this was the day I would find her hanging from the floor joists in my basement. She is not out to harm girls or women, just looking for relief from harming herself. Do I love this...no. Do I love her? Absolutely. God has promised me that He is greater than this situation.
As I have watched the upheaval over a corporation forming an opinion about something that has been happening forever, I could not be more dismayed by the response of people I have known to be incredible, compassionate Christ followers. Many threatening violence toward people in bathrooms. Many insinuating and drawing very short lines between the LGBTQ community and the pervert/rapist/pedophile label. While I can’t begin to communicate my concerns for the safety of my child should there be the need for a bathroom stop, I can talk about the pain of watching the church publicly persecute this group of people. Many times I have pondered this: If they sense that we don’t want to sit next to them in the restroom, will they ever desire to sit next to us in the sanctuary?
I desire nothing more than to advance the Kingdom, but with harsh judgement and fearful accusation, I am concerned that we might be missing a God-ordained opportunity.
