The Battle Over Love
The war between brother and sister began as the chess board was placed on the center of the table. Tension filled the air with every move. Mom worriedly looked at our faces hoping and praying that we would finish our game in peace and not in another fight.
Any game my brother and I played together was certain to lead to a continued standoff. A complex theatrical challenge that could put either of us over the edge throwing the game into the air and snorting as if we were two bulls in an arena daring the other to win the next game.
The Chess game has always been a great way to illustrate the battle that each of us face. A complex arrangement of opposing forces positioned to challenge the players to prove who is the best and who is the biggest loser.
Unfortunately, unlike chess, the world game is not so plain to see. It has been disguised to catch a person by surprise. It throws the way we think, off balance just enough to teach us a revelation that we would not have understood without the challenge.
Because our world game is so unexpected it can keep us on the edge of our seats wondering exactly what else can go wrong. I suppose that is the reason why my being gay caused such a stir in my very religious family.
You see I grew up loving God and being taught all the religious values a student of Christ could understand. I was taught to love and to be compassionate to all people.
I was faithful and committed and I loved to serve God from camp to choir to testifying before people how good God was. But then a game formed and pulled me into a valley that required more than what I was taught.
A