My first blog post and what do I talk about?  Facebook, of course.  And cats.  The two seem to go hand in hand.  In fact, I found a Facebook page tonight devoted to cat photos entitled “You deleted me because I share pictures of cats?”  To my knowledge, I have never been unfriended because of my cat photos.  My friends know that my daughter and I enjoy dressing my little Luna up in all manner of cat costumes.  There was the hula girl for Halloween, the turkey for Thanksgiving, Wonder Woman of course … I even crocheted her an orange and blue gator sweater for her to wear during the Sugar Bowl.  Well … it was cold!!

She always looks so adorable, I have to share!  If you don’t like it, hide my posts.  It is not necessary to completely unfriend me.  A sensitive soul, it does hurt my feelings when I learn that I have been deleted as a friend.  It is like being shunned in the Amish community except there is really no chance for redemption.  To my knowledge, I have been unfriended because I had a photo of the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz as my profile picture (true story), because I was perceived to be preachy about my vegetarianism (I like vegetables), and because I complained about the lack of decent radio stations in South Carolina (they suck).  Two of these examples involved family members.  Blood relatives.  Seriously.  Have I unfriended people for cause?  You betcha!  You can’t post photos of people in different sexual positions on a daily basis and stay on my newsfeed.  Sorry.  I am not a prude by any stretch, but Facebook is not the Kama Sutra.  I will also admit that I have unfriended people who cannot tolerate differing political opinions.  I don’t care as much about what you believe as I do your opinion of those who have different views from you.  But I will stand up for your right to post as many cat pictures as your heart desires.

Recently, Facebook was saturated with posts from people on both sides of the equality of marriage debate.  I saw people who claim to be Christ followers throwing opinions around like malotov cocktails on both sides of the issue.  I found it difficult to maintain silence or neutrality in the midst of the storm.  But by and large, I remained mute about the topic.  And I admit, I felt kind of horrible about it.  You see, I have many, many friends that have chosen same sex companions.  Some of those couples are more committed than many of my “straight” friends.  Why should those couples not have the opportunity to define their level of commitment the same as anyone else? And why was I fearful to take a stand for them?  I read the posts of so many Christian friends arguing that marriage is a religious institution that the government has no right to regulate.  Ummm … I don’t get that logic.  If that is the case, then who decides if a Muslim or Buddhist marriage has the same validity as a Christian or Hindi one?  The government? And cultural, contractual marriage definitely predates Christianity.

So I don’t get it.  But what I do get is this, Christ-followers are called to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:1-3.  If you disagree with my opinion about equality of marriage, and the answer isn’t clearly laid out in the scriptures, I think we should be able to agreeably disagree … without fear of criticism or ostracism.  Without accusations of heresy.  Without being unfriended for loving and supporting people who have made a different lifestyle choice.  “Bear with me”, sayeth me and Apostle Paul.

I don’t expect to change minds of those who disagree.  Based on Ephesians 4:1-3, I don’t think I have to.  I have to love you, respect your opinion, and attempt to maintain peace by not being adversarial.  But it doesn’t mean that I have to be silent about my opinion.  So to my gay friends, I am apologize for the silence.  I think you know I love you even if my profile picture is not an equality sign.

I am imperfect.  I don’t like the lame radio stations in South Carolina.  But I love my friends and family that live there.  I love Charleston and will continue to travel there … with my iPod plugged in for those times when I can no longer tolerate classic country or easy listening.  And I will continue to post pictures of my cats on Facebook… and lovingly defend your right to do so. Just don’t delete me because I disagree … or because I share pictures of cats.  Peace.