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In spirited partnership–Juliana

As a mother of 5 children I know I want for each of my children the
freedom to love and be loved. As a mom of a gay son I know this will be
harder for him not because of him yet because of others…as I listened to
the debate between Governor Palin and Senator Biden I had hoped to connect
to the mother of five children and hear an unconditional voice to my
concerns. Instead I heard the word tolerate. I know her stance is shared
by other leaders yet I expected different from her-I watched for an
ability to connect unconditionally to the plight of every mother’s child
and she would begin to truly be the change I needed to hear. A voice that
would assure me no child would ever be left behind. I am not aware of any
definitive evidence that homosexuality is genetic or not, yet I do know
for sure that this is not a conscious choice. These judgments of
tolerating another only create division among us-and a lack of peace
within. I am not a scholar in worldly affairs yet I believe the outward
wars we are experiencing are reflections of the wars we wage within
ourselves. I can’t imagine the Jesus I am in relationship with would ever
use the word tolerate in describing his relationship with another-the
Jesus I know would not judge color, special needs, sexual preference,
economic stature, intelligence, physical ability yet he would embrace each
person as he looks past the differences and connects to the one source
that is within each of us. Can we agree to never use the word
tolerates-yet can we embrace and accept each ones differences and let
Jesus do the judging in an effort to create His wish-Heaven on Earth?
Hilary Clinton presented her vision for children in It Takes a Village. I
have a dream this village consists of unconditional and empathetic men and
women; moms and dads; adults that will not be stopped by that which
divides them yet will look for that which unites them-a need to feel loved
and give love and allow each of our children to experience the same.
Patti Nagel
Philadelphia