We’re gathered at Kristen’s house, three of us sprawled on the carpet, three on the couch, novels open in our laps. We are discussing a character in the book – a mother who doesn’t know her teenage son is gay.
“Well, I know one thing for sure,” I say, straightening up and splaying my paperback flat on the rug. “If my son were gay, as his mother, I’d know it, even if he didn’t tell me. I’m sure I would just know it.”
There’s a pause as my fellow book club members digest my emphatic declaration.
…I’m over at the Lincoln Journal Star today, writing the second in a series of posts about making assumptions. Will you join me over there for the rest of the story? (and if you missed the first post about making assumptions, you can read it here).
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whew, you stirred up some dust in the prairie with this post…
i assume all the time — it's a huge flaw
pray for transformation —
good post
I enjoyed reading your post, Michelle, and the comments that ensued. You are brave to publish such a piece knowing the critiques of you that will follow. 🙂
I agree with you and am angered by the assumptions that Christians make, especially regarding politics, and at the same time, I make assumptions about other Christians all the time. I guess realizing how far from perfect I am is a start!
I really like where this went. I was assuming (yes, I know!) that one of the moms had a child who was gay.
What fascinates me is that my kids, who are teens, see this with such different eyes. Everyone is the same with certain distinguishing factors: gay or Vietnamese or more-likely-to-go-hunting-than-to-a-high-school-football-game.
What a honest & transparent post!
Made me think about my assumptions. I don't like it when non-believers have certain assumptions about Christians.
You are right. Our assumptions do affect our life and relationships.
What a good reminder that God gave us two ears and only one mouth! And His spirit to discern when to use each.
Great post, Michelle! …and so true!
I especially liked this part:
“…we make big, authoritative declarations about what’s right and wrong, and about who is right and who is wrong. We conclude that we’ve got it all figured out, and we assume everyone else is with us, or should be with us, nodding in agreement. We’re so busy talking, so busy assuming we know it all, that we stop listening.”
You're right. We, the church, are particularly vulnerable to this area of sin…often stumble into it…and often stay stuck in our own blindness.
Even (maybe especially) in our dealings with other believers of like faith with differing viewpoints.
I recently heard a speaker announce, amidst a plethora of amens from the audience, “God hasn't changed His mind about divorce!”
And I'm left standing there thinking, “Obviously not! But the fact that you feel the need to make such a declaration tells me that your perception of God's heart toward people who have experienced divorce is probably drastically different from my perception.”
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