For those of you living under a rock or avoiding the news (and honestly, I don't blame you for either given the world's current state of affairs), the Supreme Court of the United States passed a law that forces those legally "married" to all have access to the same Federal benefits. I put married in quotes because marriage is between one man and one woman before God's throne to be lived out in the company of others. Period. Call me intolerant if you must (because that's what I am but that's a topic for another blog post) but a civil union between two males or two females isn't a marriage. My country took a step back today.
I, however, came to realize something. Do I think that the Constitution of the United States of America is the epitome of man-made governments? Yes. It is not the epitome of government though. In all of the history that I learned throughout my various years of schooling, only one government provided its people with exceptional levels of security, with food and health care that didn't drive the people into poverty, with military strength far beyond what could reasonably be expected...and that was God as He led the Israelites in what is known as a Theocracy. As much as I think the USA got its government right for one made and ruled by man....there's only so well you can build a house on a faulty foundation before the foundation itself becomes an issue.
Needless to say, I am relieved that I have come to the point where my country going down the tubes is more a reminder to pray than it is a reason to worry. Thanks for the peace God!
Stemming from the Supreme Court's decision though...a good friend posted a link to an article, a tongue in cheek article I might add, analyzing the ruling today. You ever have those moments where you really really want to pretend you didn't hear/read/see/know something about someone you deeply respect? Yeah, that hits you like a sack of potatoes dropped on your stomach. There is a difference between loving someone and respecting all their views. I just don't like that difference.
After that sucker punch, God again showed His love and compassion toward me. Talking with some friends after VBS tonight one of them mentioned that I was a "big brother" to them. Now, history lesson about me: I've adopted sisters before. Six of them to be precise. They mean something to me. Yes, those friendships have all but faded but my sisters still matter. I've stopped adopting though. But if I hadn't....well, I would have gained another sibling tonight. Out of the blue. I had no idea that they viewed me as a big brother. And wow, have I ever been a terrible big brother. Not that any big brother is perfect, just that love is an active verb. I've been rather...passive.
So tomorrow...tomorrow I'm going on the offensive. Friendships are worth fighting for and I've got a plan. No, it's not a "save the friendship because it will die otherwise" plan. It's a "hey, you matter to God and to me. I just wanted you to know that" type of plan. We'll see how it goes. Initial Contact: 16 hours, 20+ minutes.
*goes off humming the Pink Panther theme song*