Lesbian Labels

We have lesbians that attend my church. I'm pretty sure that they consider it their church too. We have lesbians that are members of the worship team. There are lesbians that come to church and attend bible study. I'm pretty sure that I saw lesbians helping out in the church kitchen this morning.

What is it about lesbians in church that gets me thinking about my own issues? They help me see the labels I put on them and on others. I put labels on just about everyone except for myself.

How do I know that they are lesbians? They didn't give me a card that says, "Hello, I am a lesbian." They aren't wearing name tags that say,"Hi, I'm a lesbian." So I must be making assumptions or being judgmental based on what I think lesbians look like. They aren't holding hands or smooching on each other during services. They aren't working on cars in the parking lot. They aren't wearing Lilith Fair t-shirts. I guarantee that they don't have lesbian labels inside their shirts. I want to scream to myself, "Mike, they are people. Why aren't you looking at yourself instead of spending your time deciding whether or not you've got lesbians in your church!"

I've got problems with food, alcohol and depression. Those are just a few of the issues I deal with on a daily basis. Maybe I should pass out a card or wear a t-shirt to church. My card or t-shirt would say, "Hello. My name is Mike. I judge others based on appearance. I'm an alcoholic. I'd rather be drinking right now but I'm not. Don't ask me how things are going in my marriage. Ask my wife. She'll give you an honest answer. I tend to sugarcoat things. I probably won't give you an honest answer since I'm supposed to be "Mr. Super Christian Husband". Because I'm not drinking alcohol I'm battling even more with my food addiction. I take two anti-depressants a day. If I don't take my pills I can be a raging bastard or so down in the dumps that I've thought about ending my life."

I need some help though. I don't know what people who cheat on their spouses look like? What about men or women who are addicted to pornography or gambling? What do they look like? What does the man who abuses his wife and children wear to church on Sunday. The embezzler. The liar. The woman who chose to abort her baby. The man who left his family behind. The couple living together. What do they look like? How do they talk? What do they wear?

BREAKING NEWS: I've found a photo of a man who struggles daily with depression, alcoholism and food addictions. See photo below. It's me.


God, help me to put down my label maker. Instead, help me to look at others through the eyes of Jesus

Photo taken by my friend @Dana88