People Jesus Loves

I got a package in the mail from my cousin in Texas. A Coach purse! It is funny how some people are always in your life. We may not talk or see each other for years. And then my cousin appears in my life at the most unusual yet critical time. He is there … really there.

We grew up together, a month apart. We fought over toys and later on boys. He is the kind of person that you would say is born gay. He was always more girlie than me as little kids. He lived with us for a bit when his family couldn’t cope with his differences.

He was always so crazy. I was in the mall with a girlfriend and we were trying on clothes. In the dressing room next to me, I hear this male voice saying “could I have this in a size 9?” Then I see my 6’6 (Ok not sure, but he is VERY tall)… peering over the top of my dressing room wall… grinning. He was so crazy!!! He looked better in girls clothing than girls did!!!

Two summers when my dad was in the hospital, in a coma, my cousin and his partner show up at the hospital in Tennessee. Just like that… “I knew it would be strange being there, so I thought I would come.”

He doesn’t have much… he lives in a house they built that is litereally 200 square feet… with no bathroom. They go to the father’s house across the way. He gave up life in Florida, where he had it easier to run away from money issues. He said,” I don’t want my parents money. I just want to be happy.”

He is so wise. Life for him is simple. He lives to love and be loved. He works at IHOP and works hard. He calls his mom every day. He does the right thing as he knows it.

He has had hurts, big ones. Living as a gay man is not easy. So he has learned survival skills… yet he is what he is. No apoliges.

I often think of all the Christians I know. How would we treat him… my cousin, a flaming homosexual, if he walked into our comfort zone… our church or school?

Then I think of Jesus. How would Jesus treat him? Would he label him? A sin is a sin. I have learned that I can love
my cousin, simply love him. That is the best way I can show him God’s love. Acceptance of him which does not mean his way of life.

I love my cousin so much. He is one of those people that is real to the core. In many ways, he is a person that I can learn so much from.

I am not discussing the rights and wrongs of a homosexual in this blog. i am just thinking of whom Jesus ministered to while He was here.

I am ashamed for the embrasessment I felt when I was growing up with him… when he was at the mall with me being so crazy. I just wanted him to be normal… I guess I never thought that maybe he wished for that too.

I love you, Ujjal. You are one of the rare gifts in life.