not mine not yours

two important men in my life
gay
like me
were forced to encounter
hurtful words

words spoken out of love
              so it is said
but sadly
words void
of compassion or 
reason

it is a
circle of judgement
and hurtfulness 
disrespect
unwillingness to listen
arrogance
spoken again and again 
as if some have 
"the mind of GOD"

a vicious circle of words 

in one moment it feels as 
if the new day has broken into 
a joyful, peaceful reality
and then the 
utterance of 
words 
jolting and hurting to the core

repeat 
repeat 
and say it again
"choice, lifestyle, 
sin, and hell"

the circle of words
hard
cold
senseless words...

but the christian 
GOSPEL 
is not about such words 
the good news is not about 
phobia's and prejudice and judgement

the christian 
GOSPEL is about walking deeper 
into the center of GOD'S 
unbroken 
unconditional love

GOD'S love is not cheap
and judgment is to be had
but it is GOD'S loving 
and judging
laughing and crying
dancing and singing and hugging
that will have the last 
word

not mine
not yours!

so i put my hand up to my ears
i guard my heart 
i create safe boundaries
i pray for the patience to endure
i hope for the day 
when 
the vicious cycle of 
words are silenced

for i have witnessed
the love 
and the faith
and the goodness 
that fill 
the hearts and minds of
these two men i know
and i stand beside them 
confident
and joyful as they 
live into the depths of 
GOD'S love
and reality. 

GOD'S love is not cheap
and judgment is to be had
but it is GOD'S loving 
and judging...
laughing and crying...
dancing and singing and hugging
that will have the last 
word

not mine
not yours!