Holding My Tongue....

My parents raised me with the philosophy that I should always think before I speak, and listen before I leap. So with all of the media hype surrounding Mr. Bruce Jenner.... I wanted to take a while to absorb what is being said; while still filtering out how i felt about it before I gave my opinion publicly. Included at the end of this post you will find a link to a list of transgender facts as presented by The Transgender Law and Policy Institute, as well as a link to the Interview Mr. Bruce Jenner gave with Diane Sawyer on an ABC News Special. My intent is not to cause any harm, or to sway anyone's personal opinions.

I've had several requests from readers asking me to give my take on the recent confirmation of Mr. Jenner transitioning to live his life as a woman. If i'm being completely honest, i'm still not sure exactly how much I want or am willing to say about it.

I want to be clear, I do not condone or condemn Mr. Jenner's decision, nor do i support any kind of hateful language being used against him. I also want to be clear that I stand with God and His word throughout everything in my life, not just controversial things.

In the Bible it's very clear about how God feels about men wearing women's clothing, as well as women wearing men's clothing. Deuteronomy 22:5  "A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.". In the interest of saving debates, I'm going to assume if you are reading any further, you are a born again Christian who loves Jesus and believes the Bible cover to cover.

I don't believe God looks at women who have a man's sweatshirt on as being in disobedience to this scripture, just as much as I don't believe a man who is joking around and tries on his wife's shoes is disobeying this scripture either. What i do believe, is this is strictly forbidding the willful act of living life as the opposite gender.

I understand Mr. Jenner says he has always felt like a female, he has never identified with the male gender, and he is more comfortable when he is dressed as and living as a woman. I imagine that Mr. Jenner has had a very tough time  hiding his desire to live as a woman for the majority of his life. How uncomfortable he must have been in his own skin surrounded by all of the women in his life, the desire to try on their clothes or wear their jewelry. Jealousy surely was an emotion that slipped through the cracks more then he would have liked. Over the previous 65 years of Mr Jenner's life, Bruce won a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics. starred in several made-for-tv movies, was on the cover of a "Wheaties" box, was invited for dinner at the White House by Presidents Gerald Ford and William Tolbert, was the 140th pick in the NBA Draft by the Kansas City Kings in 1977, had a successful racing career in the 1980's, he married three women, fathered 6 children biologically and helped to raise 4 step children; all while hiding his torturous secret.

In order to accept the change ahead for Mr. Jenner, I would have to accept that he was born the wrong gender. I believe that God does not make mistakes because He is perfect. Deuteronomy 32:4 says of God; "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.".

I can't begin to understand the struggle that Mr. Jenner has endured, nor can I cast any kind of judgement upon him for doing what he thinks is best for himself and his family. I consider his willingness to step out into the world as himself to be very courageous. I wouldn't choose what he is doing for myself, but I will not cast him aside and speak of him with malice either. I do not know the outcome of Mr. Jenner's future, but I wish him well and hope that he is able to find whatever peace and happiness he is looking for.

Until next time...

TLPI: Transgender Issue: Fact Sheet
Bruce Jenner: The Interview A Diane Sawyer Special