"For all my despair, for all my ideals, for all that - I love life. But it is hard, and I have so much - so very much to learn.”
It's as if everything she writes is a revelation. "Yes! Someone finally put words to that emotion!"
I have a friend who many of you know. He works for a large charity organization and writes a blog about the confusion that exists within the Church today. He tries to make sense of it all and help others to do the same. I appreciate this friend and his wife. Their drive to put action behind their words is... Christ-like.
My friend likes to use the word "marginalized" a lot. It's the smart people word for people who do not accurately conform to societal expectations. People who don't fit in. Whatever the "norm" may be, these people are not it. He wrote a blog once about the Chick-fil-a/Oreo/Homosexuality debacle a few years back. I think he received more response than he had expected. He responded to each with respect, despite the incredibly long Facebook threads. I admire this man. Someone back home, buy him a box of Chex Cereal and a gallon of whole milk for me. ;)
A beautiful girl I know cheated on her husband. Her circumstances were not unique but she has become such a beautiful person despite these choices she made. Her children are golden. Her marriage is human, but operating comfortably. Still, she is marginalized. Her mistakes follow her daily. I've witnessed her being the one everyone is exasperated with. Sure.. she's always late.. but she's probably helping someone in need, or loving her children.
I wish I were more like this woman who cheated on her husband. Sometimes, she's so beautiful and fierce she makes me uncomfortable, but then she smiles and you can tell she's 100% full of love and acceptance.
Who are these people in your life?
The people who exist outside of your comfort zone.
The issue is you. You don't like them because they make you uncomfortable.
Does that not then, make their marginalization your problem? Not theirs?
Some of us live our lives on display. Believe it or not, I do not like to be the center of attention (I have too many flaws-- obviously) but I do not believe in conformity for conformity's sake. It is difficult for me to be still and quiet in the face of what seems to be injustice. By marginalizing one another, we are defining each other by our life circumstances and not by our character. We are at a loss, my friends!
I hope you all can come over for dinner sometime ;) I'll be posting pictures of our renovations soon!
xoxo
Sarah
