My 40-day journey began when our daughters came to us at different times and shared that they were gay. It was a life-altering time for all of us. I had been preparing my heart through prayer, knowing that this moment was a possibility. I made a conscious choice to respond with unconditional love.
Though it wasn't the life I had envisioned for them, my love for my children has always come first. I turned to prayer frequently and didn't let myself fall apart. It took nearly a year for me to find peace and come to terms with the significance of everything, including the reality that they may never have children of their own.
I’m still navigating my 40 days, which has now stretched into years. The love I have for my daughters is unconditional, and they have never had to question that fact. Through this journey, I learned a valuable lessons about acceptance and understanding.
When people ask how I handle challenging situations, I often say, "I'm not the judge—God is, My role is to love." This love extends beyond just my children; I strive to love all people, regardless of where they are in life. I make it a priority to help those facing difficult circumstances, offering support and understanding whenever I can.
Some time ago, I spoke with a mom struggling to accept her daughter who had just told her she was gay. We met several times, but the mom found it difficult to move beyond the deep disappointment she felt. I shared with her, “I understand the struggle; it’s not the path we envision for our kids. However, we need to love unconditionally and maintain a strong relationship with them”.
I sincerely care about people and strive to offer support whenever possible. Now at this point I realize how helpful it would have been to have someone to talk with who was going through a similar experience. We have been very blessed though, to have the support of family and friends.
One of my favorite verses is Psalm 28:7. The key takeaway is that we are never alone, and I am deeply grateful for that. It’s incredible how much I've changed through this experience. Honestly, I can’t imagine how anyone gets through life without God and the support of a church family.
There are a couple of coffee shops I go to and now actually see them as my little mission field. I am a people person, enjoy connecting with others and believe everyone deserves love and support. It’s hard to believe how many feel unloved or think that God doesn’t even know their name, but the truth is, He knows everything about them. What they often need is someone who believes in both God and them, no matter their situation.
Being vulnerable by sharing your life, things people may never have known about you, can be daunting. But it's essential to recognize that everyone faces challenges. We must speak the truth about our wilderness journey and be the church that is here for everyone
