NEVER give up hope...

Three times in my adult life I have lived through events I never expected to see realized: 1) the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Iron Curtain; 2) the election of an African-American as US president; and now 3) Marriage equality for same sex couples in the United States. Each has been breath-taking in its own way; each has evoked unexpected tears of joy and gratitude. As the President said this morning: sometimes justice comes to us like a thunder clap. To be sure, this SCOTUS decision was a long time coming. And the struggle makes Justice Kennedy's words even sweeter than I could have ever imagined

"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people becoming something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it. respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilizations oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right. The judgement of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed. It is so ordered."

My Christian faith rests on a trust that the Creator not only loves us, but empowers us to deepen that love every day. Ours is not a God of retribution and shame, but the Source of compassion, hope, integrity and justice. This God set in motion freedom. This God is adored by Jews and Christians and Muslims and others regardless of what name we have discovered. And what this God has begun - CREATION - God continues until it is fully realized. Today was another part of the unfolding blessing and a reminder to me NEVER to give up hope. Thanks be to God.