From goodness, goodness comes
When Angela and I lived in Austin and had been together for about a year, we started talking about getting a third schnauzer. At the time, we only had two. We took long walks together, and talked about God, goodness, and puppies. We did that for about nine months, and then Marlee Bean came into our lives. (She had the benefit of a full 9-month gestation period.) She's a blessing.
Beanie is 7 years old now. And our conversations have turned to having children rather than puppies. Besides, we have 4 schnauzers now and it's just a good time to stop! All of the dogs came to us out of an unselfish desire to love little bits of God's creation, and children will come to us in the same way.
Of course we wonder how other people will view us once we have a family. Will our children be teased because they have two mommies? Will we face judgment because we brought "fatherless" children into the world? When I think of all the possible questions, I'm frightened a bit, but at the same time there is an incredible amount of underlying peace. It's the same peace that tells me I'm okay as a gay Christian, and that I am on the exact spiritual path that God wants me to be on. What happens in the periphery is less important than what happens at the core. Just as I trudge on as a gay Christian, I will trudge on as a gay Christian parent.
I told Angela the other day, "You know, we are reaching new heights in the minority category." We're lesbians; that's a minority. We're Christian lesbians; that's a minority within the minority. And now we could enter into the world of Christian lesbian mothers. What's next? Christian lesbian mothers with triplets? We do actually know one couple that fits that description and they could use some company. But no matter how small the category, our faith remains the same. We love God. And from that goodness, goodness comes.
All of this is to say, Angela's monthly cycle is now in motion and if all stays on schedule our first insemination attempt will happen the week before Thanksgiving. We've prayed every step of the way. We feel like God led us to the right doctor, that God has prepared our hearts for whatever it is that lies ahead, and that God will work within our human limitations to give birth to more divine goodness.
So it is with faith that we move forward. We are committed to each other, to God, and to our family. Though others may judge it, we know the truth and the truth is good. God is good. And though the road may be long and winding, we promise to enjoy the journey.
Beanie is 7 years old now. And our conversations have turned to having children rather than puppies. Besides, we have 4 schnauzers now and it's just a good time to stop! All of the dogs came to us out of an unselfish desire to love little bits of God's creation, and children will come to us in the same way.
Of course we wonder how other people will view us once we have a family. Will our children be teased because they have two mommies? Will we face judgment because we brought "fatherless" children into the world? When I think of all the possible questions, I'm frightened a bit, but at the same time there is an incredible amount of underlying peace. It's the same peace that tells me I'm okay as a gay Christian, and that I am on the exact spiritual path that God wants me to be on. What happens in the periphery is less important than what happens at the core. Just as I trudge on as a gay Christian, I will trudge on as a gay Christian parent.
I told Angela the other day, "You know, we are reaching new heights in the minority category." We're lesbians; that's a minority. We're Christian lesbians; that's a minority within the minority. And now we could enter into the world of Christian lesbian mothers. What's next? Christian lesbian mothers with triplets? We do actually know one couple that fits that description and they could use some company. But no matter how small the category, our faith remains the same. We love God. And from that goodness, goodness comes.
All of this is to say, Angela's monthly cycle is now in motion and if all stays on schedule our first insemination attempt will happen the week before Thanksgiving. We've prayed every step of the way. We feel like God led us to the right doctor, that God has prepared our hearts for whatever it is that lies ahead, and that God will work within our human limitations to give birth to more divine goodness.
So it is with faith that we move forward. We are committed to each other, to God, and to our family. Though others may judge it, we know the truth and the truth is good. God is good. And though the road may be long and winding, we promise to enjoy the journey.
posted by Jen Austin at 9:23 AM
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