That Breakfast

OK, a couple seconds, 10 days, what's the difference? Sorry to take so long on this post.

The scene I want to describe is what came about at the weekly breakfast of the group for which I had expressed so much trepidation in posting previously. I decided I would go to their weekly breakfast, and B. said he was also interested (which surprised me, but I was happy to have him with me.) I invited another of our PLU friends who met us in the parking lot. It was the first time for all three of us to attend this breakfast at a local restaurant, so we didn't know what to expect.

It got off to a slow start, as we didn't really recognize anyone we knew. There were 3 guys off to the side that kind of looked like our bunch, but we weren't sure. I also saw another group of guys, including someone I hadn't seen in at least 7 years. But I pretended not to know him and he did the same. He probably didn't really recognize me since it had been so long, and since my looks have changed a little.

The 3 of us sat down and ordered breakfast. After a little while, the head of the group showed up, recognized us, said hi to the other three, and thus joined us into one group of about 7. Well we were feeling kind of uncomfortable, but suddenly everything took a turn for the better: Our Rector showed up and sat down at the end of the table next to us! We really like this guy and B. and I have made a point to get to know him, and make sure he knows all about us (two guys with kids.) Five minutes more, and another or our priests showed up (actually, THE priest who I had confided in as to my quandry about posting) and took a seat at the other end of the table. These guys are not regular attenders at these things either, so I am chalking it up to an interesting "coincidence."

So here's the image: Two priests on the ends of a long table, a gay couple, a single gay guy, and then the four of five "conservative" guys. I thought there must be a message in there somewhere. To me, this is a picture of how our church should go forward. We may only reluctantly choose to hang out together, but we ARE together. Our leadership is reminding us that we are joined together through Christ and we are a family. Does this mean the "conservative" guys are suddenly going to change their views on homosexuality? Of course not. Does this mean the gay guys are going to be sign up for the Focus on the Family newsletter? Not likely. But at least we can talk to one another and not just choose up sides for the impending schism.

I have found when I feel the most tentative about doing something (going to a new group, singing in a choir for which I am not suited, etc.) that God responds with a message that I would not have seen otherwise.