Sara's Hair

 1984

 

Sara was an unusually cute girl. She was a year behind me in school, and she had that refreshing, innocent girl next door quality about her that just plain appealed to people. She was nice, popular, and was in the band, and was a cheerleader as well. Lots of guys were after her for her body, and for her girl-next-door personality.

I was a Junior, and I was interested in her hair. I suppose that’s weird. But her hair was perfect, all the time. She was a natural blonde, and always did a great job taking care of her hair. She was one of those girls that even after hours of time in band uniform at a football game, when the hat came off, her hair still looked great.

Her hair was always clean and shiny, always had good body, always smelled good, was always styled in an appealing manner, and she clearly took good care of it. I was fascinated by her hair, I suppose because it seemed so much the epitome of what a woman’s hair should be like. I remember wondering why more girls didn’t take the same amount of care.

I have always been drawn to great hair on women. I suppose the fact that they took the time to get it right says something about their classiness, to me. 

Peace and Harmony

 2022

A lot has happened over the last several years. So many big changes. So many things learned, and so much understanding and enlightenment gained. It honestly has been a wild ride!

Among these things have been the following ideas:

1. Many churches want to do the right thing, and genuinely want to be welcoming to LGBTQIA+ people. The obstacles include such things as:

    - A genuine lack of understanding how to even begin to change, or even what change is necessary. It sounds easy, but it takes thought, and wisdom, and courage. Change is not easy.

    - A real (and realistic) fear that taking any steps toward welcoming LGBTQIA+ people will result in them losing attendance, and with that, losing finances. Numbers = $$. 

 - A fear that if they were to try, the church leadership would quickly be out of a job. This is not an unfair fear. Rather, it is entirely possible. 

2. When an LGBTQIA+ person finds a church that sees them as a person, rather than a political issue, it is a wondrous experience! I can't begin to explain how it feels, and I've been there myself. 

3. Living authentically matters. When an LGBTQIA+ person is able to be themselves, there is freedom, peace, self-acceptance. There is the ability to really live. 

4. Support systems matter. A corollary to this is that Family isn't who your blood relatives are, but rather those who have your back, in the midst of the fight. 

5. Prayer matters. Prayer works. When you stop praying in fear "Please God, anything but this! Take it away!" and instead ask God to show you who you are (have you ever really thought about that?), the difference in your thought process is quick and breathtaking. Go back and read number 3. Once your mind is open to exploring YOU, gracious, the difference it makes!

6. God really, honestly, genuinely does love us for exactly who we are. He knit us together in the womb, and knew who we were before we were even born. He knew. He knew because He held the knitting needles. He made me as me. He made you as you, too.