This evening I had my second and final appointment with a therapist. Not that there was actually any therapy; I didn’t have much choice in the matter. It is required to officially declare myself a Bible major. The results: I’m not ready.
Not that the therapist said that. She was full of how my strengths will come in handy when it comes to working in ministry, especially if I end up going abroad. Apparently, flexibility and practicality are good things.
But that is not the whole story. She also told me what I need to work on. Nothing too huge or overwhelming, but the truth is clear. I’m not ready.
Yet. And that’s OK.
I remember a story that Sean told about when he did his test. Apparently, the test results showed that every single person who took it had “Issues with family of origin.”
Me, too. That’s OK, too.
I’m a walking contradiction. I’m cautious, but rebellious. I am practical in action, but abstract in thought.
That’s normal.
I’m an introvert. I’m overly independent and I keep my cards too close to my chest. Sometimes, I’m indecisive. Other times, I’m impulsive. What I do has everything to with my mood. And my mood changes a lot. I’m always at risk of depression.
At least, this is what the tests say. But it’s all normal, they say.
At the moment, more than anything else, I’m tired. KidQuest takes it out of you.
Soulforce’s visit went very well. People were more than just cordial, they were kind. More than just personable, they cared enough to get personally involved with the Equality Ride members. When it was all over, I spoke with Jacob Reiten, co-director of the ride. He said some interesting things. He said (and this is not an exact quote) that his goal was not to change our minds about considering homosexuality a sin, but to open dialogue for the idea and to end discrimination. He also thought that in forty years, people who consider homosexuality a sin will be a small minority in the United States.
And I started thinking. (My first mistake, most of the time.) >What if we did allow open and uncloseted members of the GLBT community to attend ACU? Could we really hurt anything by allowing them to be better educated on the Bible and opening debate with other students? I keep hearing from people about how we are trying to hold up certain standards for our university. But if Jesus was in Royce Money’s position, would he maybe want us to be closer to these individuals rather than isolated from them? Would the community created have the power to heal and possibly change? Why keep others out, when we know we havea good thing going here?
I don’t know. But I’m thinking. I’m also impressed that we were the only school on their route so far to have forums with them, to eat with them (administrators on down), to give them a place to stay. For they are truly the least of these, aren’t they?