Slowly it is becoming more palatable, this idea of being back in snow country with several more weeks of winter facing me. This is thanks mostly to two events today: first was the reception of our fellow Christians at our dear church and a rousing discussion during with the high school boys.
Second was a serendipitous trip to Pretty Bay to take a look at how the Dollhouse has fared in all this snow. The sun came out after church, so we decided to drive over to our little lake to see the campground under the snow. It was a beautiful drive, and the sun on the snow in the campground was brilliant. But, best of all, our favorite couple from a nearby state were in temporary residence!
Another local couple were visiting them, and we joined the group for a cuppa and lots of laughs. We caught up on family doings, and commiserated over this long, snowy winter. Although it was too cold to be outside, I felt the remnants of a good campfire creeping around the edges of the trailer. Was it only my imagination or wishful thinking that made me hear birds chirping?
We spent a lovely couple hours with them, and left feeling more certain that summer will surely come. In the meantime, we exchanged E-Mail addresses (this is a new experience for my friend), and promised to be in touch. Coming home in the fading light, I realized that my slight depression of the last few days had lifted.
The lively discussion I referred to concerned human sexuality. I do get into some interesting places with these kids! Here I am, nearly 66, discussing erotic thoughts with teenaged boys. God has an amazing sense of humor, putting me in these spots!
We talked about Jesus being fully human. Did he have sexual thoughts? One of the boys was horrified that this might be true. The rest of us felt that he certainly could have, as it says often in the NT that he came to be one of us. The boys felt that it was how you acted upon the thoughts that made them sinful or not. "There is a difference between sex and sexuality," said one particularly thoughtful boy. All of these talks we have are food for thought. I learn so much from the boys.
I'm not sure I am being much help to the one child who is sure everything human is corrupt and that we all are in danger of burning in hell. I can't subscribe to this point of view. I try to listen and not make judgmental statements in return. Today I talked to one of our priests, a retired scholar in his 70's, and he suggested he visit our class in a couple weeks. I jumped at the opportunity for him to be in dialogue with the boys, and to hear how he handles some of the topics that come up.
I am pleased that they feel comfortable enough with me to bring up some very hard subjects. However, I often feel in over my head. I guess it's good training for my future role in the church. In the meantime, I am awed by the caliber of these youngsters. How lucky I am.
Life is good; thanks be to God. Amen
9:18 PM
It's too late for me to be up and at this computer, but I need to think some things through. I may not be too articulate at this hour, however.
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