Hate and Homophobia

Since when did these two words become synonymous? I'm not really sure. Guess I missed that memo, but the recent upstart over Chick-fil-a's recent stand on marriage really has got me standing back and looking at what I believe since I could easily be grouped in with the "gay hating Christians."

Hi, my name is Katherine. When I was very young I made the decision to give my heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. I chose to be part of something bigger than myself, and something that would require me to die to myself....pretty much daily. Unlike many, my decision was real no matter how young I was. I never had any doubts that I wasn't truly set on following Jesus. Now I am a junior in college and my beliefs are the same; maybe a bit more refined and wiser, but the same. I still believe that God created the world and sent His son Jesus to redeem the world as the final sacrifice for the sins of humanity. I believe I have a relationship with Him and am able to grow in the faith that I have. 


What I don't believe? Hate. Do I still participate in it? Yes...but not in the way you're thinking. The natural tendencies of any human, religious or not, is to dislike things different, uncomfortable, or just opposing of you. And, news flash, religion does not save you from being human. 


Many people refer to the Leviticus passage in the Bible as a reason to stand against homosexuality. Contextually, it is surrounded by rules and laws made for the holiness of the God's people before Jesus became the final sacrifice. But, in the New Testament homosexuality is mentioned again. Romans 1:28-32 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 both bring it up. The first passage does not single out homosexuality, but groups it with...oh i don't know....other sins? Homosexuality in the Bible is considered a sin...among every other sin. It is not a bigger or worse sin than...say...being a liar. Now before you all get your panties in a twist for me calling this lifestyle a sin, here's my point.
People claim they are born this way. Well guess what? I was born a liar, cheater, hater, gossiper, murderer, adulterer, and anything else you can think of. I was born that way, and I realized that without a Savior I would be that way my entire life and I decided to fight it. And I am not in this fight alone.

Now, while my faith dictates that I believe the entire Bible is true, I struggle greatly. I don't like having to tell people I do not support homosexuality. Some of the most interesting and beautiful people in my life have chosen this, and it's scary to think that they would assume I hated them. I could not sooner hate them than count the stars in the sky. Unfortunately, it is hard for people to comprehend that you cannot support, and not hate something at the same time.

If you do not believe there's a God, or only selectively read parts of the Bible then to you my argument is invalid or insensitive. I'm sorry for the offense, but just as you have the right to stand for your ideas, so do I. I hope collectively that my actions speak louder than any words written over the internet. I'm not here to beat my beliefs and faith over anyone's head, but I am here to stand firm in what I believe in, even if it makes people angry.

If anything, I'm writing this so no one has doubts on what my stance is on the subject, and for you all to keep me accountable on what I say. Call me out if you prefer, and I will be refined by fire.

continually refined,

Katherine

New Kind of Normal

We all have “those days” in which we can never forget.  July 23^rd marks the day for me-that one day that will forever be so clear, yet so hazy in my mind.  Three years ago, my life changed drastically and I never thought I would be able to function normally again, not without my mom. 

September of my senior year, the ‘fun’ year, my mom was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer.  She was given 4-6 weeks to live.  As you can imagine, my world came crashing down when I heard this devastating news, but immediately I thought “she’s going to be ok because I have the faith the size of a mustard seed.”  Do you know how small a mustard seed is? Super small!!  The first thing mom told me was, “You have to be my prayer warrior!”  Not for one second did I question why this was happening to our family, rather I embraced it- God is going to heal her!

I was a cheerleader, so in the fall mom took chemo on Mondays so she could be at my games on Friday nights.  In the spring, I played golf so she took chemo on Fridays so she could be there to cheer me on at my tournaments on Tuesdays.  I need to take a moment and say Wow! What a woman, what a mom!  She saw me graduate May 29, 2009-yes, 8 months past the time she was given.  She saw my nephew born on May 20!  What a blessing it was to make all the memories with her.

She was a fighter-she fought for dad, me, my brother, and her grandbabies-talk about selfless!  I never saw her cry or get down about her situation.  Instead, every Sunday at church when the preacher asked for testimonies she stood up EVERY Sunday and praised God for another day, for the cancer, for her life He has given her.  What a testimony in itself-how often do I complain about trite things, I’m not fighting for my life every day!

I would often get upset about the situation and cry to mom, like she wasn’t the one dealing with it ha!  I distinctly remember riding in the car with her and crying so hard and saying it wasn’t fair that my mom had cancer, out of all the people in the world, why did it have to be my mom? And she stopped the car and said, “Where’s my prayer warrior?  You’re being selfish.”  She began to pray, thanking God that it was her who had the cancer, not anyone else in the family.  She would take it again for everyone.  Then she looked at me and said, “Ruthie, God’s going to heal me-whether He chooses to heal me on earth, temporarily or ultimately in Heaven.  No matter what He chooses, we WILL praise Him for it because I will be healed!” Yeah! That’s my mom!!

That day came, her healing-July 23, 2009.  God chose to heal her ultimately and I praise Him to this day for her healing.  There’s still a place in my heart that misses her so much that it hurts daily.  Every mile stone that comes, I get upset that mom isn’t here to celebrate with us, but I know God allows her to celebrate in Heaven.

After three years, not one day passes that I don’t miss her, I miss her more today than I did three years ago, but good news: I can function normally (depending on your definition of normal ha) without my momma-it’s not easy, but I can.  After three years, I strive to be more like the woman my mother was and is.  After three years, my life that’s drastically changed has become my “new” kind of normal.

In the words of Robert Frost:

“I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life in three words: It goes on.”

I leave you with this verse from my favorite book,

John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace, in this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!  I look forward to the day I get to spend eternity with my savior and my mom!

Forever thankful for a healing, loving, saving God!

Kenze B