Waving Goodbye to 2009
December 29, 2009
All in all this wasn’t the best of years for GLBTQ and justice-minded folks. There was Rick Warren at the Presidential Inauguration in January, this summer’s hubbub around Carrie Prejean’s statement concerning same-sex marriage at the Miss USA Pageant, the horrific consideration of a Kill the Gays Bill in Uganda in recent weeks, and the dire lack of any real movement toward the fulfillment of the promises made to GLBTQ voters by the current presidency when our votes were being courted. And around each of these news stories was the proliferation of even more heated debate on the validity of our relationships and our lives.
But then again, it wasn’t the worst of years either. While the passing of Prop 8 in 2008 overturned gay marriage in California, in the Spring of 2009 the existing 14,000 same-sex marriages were upheld as legally valid by the California Supreme Court. This was the year that Vermont and Iowa joined Massachusetts and Connecticut in granting marriage equality to gay couples, and as late as yesterday, a gay male couple were legally married in Argentina. In November of this year California Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 2567 making May 22, Harvey Milk Day, a state day of recognition, and in December Rev. Mary D. Glasspool became the second openly gay bishop in the Anglican fellowship of the Episcopal Church. And throughout this year while the debate on homosexuality in religious and political circles continues, more and more congregations across the nation added their voices in taking an affirming stance toward the lives, relationships, and ministries of their GLBTQ brothers and sisters.
All across our world there were big and small victories and big and small defeats in the area of gay rights. Three steps forward, two steps back but slowly, ever so slowly we move ahead toward equality and justice for all people.
Speaking personally, 2009 was a hard year for me. It was always be the year I remember first as the year my mom died. It was also the year I said goodbye to Marianne, a friend who lived with, and then died from cancer with more grace than I could ever hope to muster on my best day on earth. I spent nearly a quarter of this year recovery from surgeries, had a few personal disappointments, and in recent weeks have grieved the diagnosis of ALS given to a loved one of mine.
But there were good moments too. In 2009 I watched, howbeit from a distance, my godson sprout like a green bean. I reconnected with old friends. My mom and I had a few tender mother-daughter conversations I’ll hold in my heart forever. My marriage to my beloved was declared valid by the California Supreme Court and we enjoyed the ninth year of the honeymoon phase of our relationship. This was also the year I reached the lifelong goal of reaching a healthy normal-range weight and okay, in keeping with that it was also the year I was able to slip on a pair of size eight jeans without holding my breath.
How about you? While some of us have navigated through this past year with relative ease fueled on by occasions of great joy and celebration, for others it was a brutal year; the personal losses too many to add up and the suffering too great to measure. 2009 has been as gentle as a lamb for some of us and as tough as a lion for others.
But whether you’re sadly waving farewell to 2009 or welcoming 2010 in with a sigh of relief and a swipe across your forehead, here we are. Still standing. Standing together with one another and surrounded in the mercy, compassion, and consolation of God, the One who knows us best and loves us most. However hard this year was for you, you made it. You have arrived at the end of a really rough year in your life and because you’re still here, that in and of itself is a monumental victory; a joyous celebration of your courage and resilience, and of God’s faithfulness to hold you through the darkest nights and the most torrential storms. God was faithful and so were you.
I pray that if 2009 was a year of loss and sorrow for you that 2010 would be a year of restoration and joy. I pray good things for you. I pray moments of delight and laughter for you. I pray truly good people surround you. I pray peace. I pray love. I pray that you find healing, wholeness, comfort, companionship, or whatever it is that is your deepest longing and need. I pray all this believing that God is not only able to perform a good work within you but that God desires and will settle for nothing less for you. These will be the prayers spoken on my lips and carried in my heart as 2009 turns into our yesterday and 2010 becomes our today. I look forward to the coming year, to see what God will do in us and through us, and that we would be open to saying yes to God’s call, wherever it might lead.
You are loved and beloved.
By God who gave you life.
By Christ who redeemed your life.
By the Spirit that wooed you in the beginning and that will carry you through to the end.
Know this one thing, treasure it in your heart, and it will keep you through whatever lies ahead.
Posted in Devotionals, Holidays and Special Times
December 30th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Thanks, Anita. I pray all those same things for you as we put 2009 into the history books. It has not been an easy year, and yet knowing that God is always there has helped tremendously. And I continue to see evidence of God’s plan unfolding all the time… even in those moments when it feels like the paperweight is getting dropped on our heads.
Happy 2010.
Faith and trust in God is a trip! Glad we’re passengers!
December 30th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
2009 will always be the year that I came out and found my first love! Yay! But it will also be the year that I ended shame and guilt, and found freedom. The year that I started to lose weight and change my life in many ways. The year that I lost some relationships, found new ones, and ended the year with many people who celebrate the new me! I wanted a promotion, and found out this week that I didn’t get it, so the year is ending on somewhat of a sad note, but I look forward to seeing what God is going to do in 2010. Blessing to all!
December 30th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
TDK—> What a year for you! Awesome in so many ways and hard in others. What a joy and honor to watch as it’s been unfolding for you. A year of immense transformations! 2010…..let’s do it!
December 30th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Susan —> Boy, you’ve been on quite the rollercoaster ride within your wider church this year, haven’t you?! Fortunately you’re as hard-headed as me and we both have been able to continue standing even in showers of paperweights
Happy 2010 to you too!
December 30th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I’ll never forget 2009. Over all it had it’s ups and downs, but it was a memorable year to write the least. In the beginning of 2009 I mysteriously stumbled upon your blog making me become a daily visiter. From there I slowly but surely accepted myself for who for being gay and came out to a select few of my high school chums in all honestly thanks to your biblical explanations. I also graduated from high school and started a new life at art school being completely open about who I am. In retrospect it’s mind boggling how far I’ve come in only a year. I went from being extremely closeted to being (O how I do hate this cliche) out and proud as it were, except to my Parents that is. I pray for the Lord’s guidance in this matter quite regularly.
A nice additional surprise was finding an accepting Lutheran church for me to go to. I’m not too sure on the new pastor’s opinion on homosexuality, but all the people there that I’ve talked to seem to be very accepting. One lady even claimed there’s a gay couple who goes there and does a lot for the congregation. I’m going to have to meet them!!! What’s strange about college is my only rebellion or revolt is going Gethsename Lutheran on the DL. I’m not doing any of that icky stuff that I know some of my fellow pupils are into. ^__^;
Once again I just want to thank you Lady Anita for helping me and all of those wonderful men and women who visit this blog and read your Facebook entries. God bless you and your bonny wife in the coming year!
December 31st, 2009 at 9:26 am
You have been through so many and varied challenges and losses this year! Though I have never met you, I feel in some way I have shared some of these with you through prayer. My father-in-law is near the end of his fight with ALS. His loved ones will miss him so much. As I know you miss your Mom.
Thank you for sharing your love and wisdom and life and encouragement with all of us. I believe my life is richer because of our connection through the Spirit.
Blessings and peace this new year…
December 31st, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I married the love of my life this year, legally and I love that. With all my heart, I love that.
I’ve met some pretty amazing people throughout this year, creating wonderful friendships with people I just adore.
Thank you Anita for sharing your love, your life and your heart with us.
Happy New Year.
December 31st, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Michelle–>It has indeed been a stellar year for you and I’m so happy for you!
December 31st, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Ok, so I’m not sure how Michelle’s name got there, but it was me Stephanie who said that. Funny.
December 31st, 2009 at 9:33 pm
2009 was a bittersweet year for me. I’m glad to see it go, as it was the year that I lost everything… twice. At the same time, it was the year that set into motion the new and exciting adventures that await me in 2010. I’m stronger for having lived through the past year, and the benefits of my newfound strength will be immensely rewarding
January 1st, 2010 at 6:32 am
Steph –> I thought it might be you but then again thought maybe you two are so close you’ve just merged into one
January 1st, 2010 at 6:37 am
Gina–> Sigh. Oh, I’m sorry for all the loss. Few things are more painful than losing who and what is familiar to us and loved by us….yet there can be something beautiful even through the pain of loss in moving as we move into something new for our lives. I for one am eager to hear what this year holds for you Gina.
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:30 pm
2009 surprised me in so many ways, the biggest was certainly finding the courage & grace to finally shed 34 years of shame, fear & denial that had simply left a shell of the gifted, beautiful person I caught glimpses of and deep down knew I was, but she remained hidden, terrified even. SisterFriends and Anita, you’ve been key in helping me find much needed courage to begin to open the door of my closet. All of your love & encouragement strengthens me each and every day to keep walking forward into the fullness I know God has. In just a few short months, gifts within me that had been dormant are being renewed and restored. It’s exciting and exhilarating to come out of the shadows into the Light. Indeed 2010 will pose many ups and downs, but now travelling the road to wholeness in Jesus Christ stirs great excitement in me.
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Anita, thank you for your kind words. I’m also excited! I’m very excited for 2010, and the changes that I can see so far. I’ve been vague and/or impersonal in comments on your blog thus far, so I realize you know next to nothing about me, but to make a long story short… I’m going from technical homelessness to having a home. I’ll be going to college (for the first time ever), working towards a degree in a field that I am very passionate about. I’ve started going to church again, and although I don’t have an official church home, that is something that will soon be remedied (I hope). And, last but far from least, I will most likely have the financial means to hire a lawyer who can help me battle my ex husband, who currently has custody of my children. It will be an exciting year, even if only one of the above comes true. It’s looking like they’re all going to happen, though
January 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 pm
I hit submit too soon, hehe. Even though 2009 was probably the hardest year I’ve lived through, it’s because of the losses and obstacles I’ve encounted that I found the strength to go for (and obtain) an awesome job, to realize that there’s no time like the present to become college educatated, and to understand that my ex-husband has NO power over me. It was a hard year to live through, but without it, I wouldn’t be bettering myself to the extent that I am in 2010. As horrible as it was, it was also an amazing learning experience. There was so much soul searching and personal reflection. I’ve doubted and questioned almost every aspect of my life, and I firmly believe that I’ve come out of the past year a much better person than I was going in.