How mild is mild?

Between breaks in business, my friend and I had a moment to talk about how values have changed.  How slowly we have tolerated homosexuals and how we have allowed changing partners in marriage.  Because annulments have become acceptable we have also supported the system and helped the ailing couple back into the mainstream-- accepting the incompatibility of previous commitment as a reason enough.

Don’t’ get me wrong, I am writing not to condemn the affected they have enough pains of their own.  Being a homosexual has enough ostracizing to contend with and I have to admit that with my so many homosexual friends I have learned that their monogamous values are even stronger than those who are in heterosexual race.  It is just sad that they are trapped in a body that does not suit their gender of choice.  And I am helpless since I can offer nothing to ease an intrinsic pain brought about by their option of their seemingly lack of it.  There is only one thing I can offer and that is prayer and often it is met with a scoff.

Many men still believe in the parochial belief that if a man goes philandering there is nothing to lose. “It’s just a mild aberration and not often,” my friend said and he gave me the usual crass reason of tasting different viands.  I had to suppress the feeling of disgust for I like this friend though our views don’t necessarily meet.  Comparing a marriage to tasting food limits the sanctity of the relationship to the kitchen. Perhaps that’s why people say ‘a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’ when his stomach churns and food is no longer on the table he looks for another kitchen not remembering he was the one supposed to stock the kitchen with food in the first place.

I asked him “What if it were your wife who would do the tasting in other kitchens?  What if she would also do it ‘mildly’?”  He had a different expression.  The double standard in our society remains.

How mild is mild?  A bit of flirtation?  A one night stand? A short-lived affair?  Each spell a stronger, deep-seated problem and that is the lack of God.

When the needs for this world take over the need to please God who knows us and helps us and sees us through life the mildness takes a bolder step.  Sin will pile upon sin as we justify our faults with the standards of the world.  I am sad.

For all things that give us pleasure that last are from One that lasts.  Our business, our family, our relationships, they all come from the Lord.  And corny as I may seem that is the only truth I can offer.  And that is the main business in this business and this is not mild but stronger stuff and it will take a stronger man to accept this.