How could we have
been just sitting there, happily eating our lunch, and then Jess announces that
she’s gay? Like who does that anyway? And how is it possible that I never even
saw this coming? I mean if your best friend has no clue that you’re gay, then who
does? And how can you be sure that really are gay? Furthermore, what does that
suggest about me? I mean we’ve been best friends for years. Is it possible that
Jess thinks maybe I’m gay too? That she can I can be lovers now? Ugh! I think
I’m going to barf! Then a worse thought hits me. What if I actually am gay and
don’t even know it. Is that even possible? And what will our friends at school
say when they find out about this? Or our friends at Church for that matter?
And how can Jess still be a Christian is she’s a lesbian. I’m trapped in this
bright purple cubicle that’s whirling around and around as my entire life spins
totally out of control. Help me!
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 13-19
Subjects: Homosexuality, Friendship,
Christianity, Bullying
Summary: Ramie’s best friend just
announced she’s gay. Right here in the food court at the mall. And now she
expects Ramie to be ok with it. But Ramie is absolutely NOT ok! She’s freaked
out! Jess was her best friend! What in the world happened? And how is Ramie
supposed to act now? How can she keep this a secret? But how can she tell on
her friend? And when everyone else finds out and the bullying begins, how can
Ramie stand up for Jess without looking like she supports homosexuality? But
how can she just let someone she has cared about be constantly made fun of and
picked on? And is Jess truly wrong? Jess, Ramie’s new boyfriend – the pastor’s
kid, and especially Ramie’s non-Christian mom all try to tell her it’s not
Jess’s fault. God made her that way. Ramie didn’t think that was what the Bible
says, but she’s totally confused now and has no idea what or who to believe!
Notes: This is one the books in the
True Colors series, a set of books showing major issues teens today have to
face. The character is thrown into the situation and someone in the story shows
them how God would have someone respond to the situation. In this story, a girl’s
best friend announces she is gay and Ramie has to wrestle hard with it. In some
ways this story is very well done and has some great spiritual emphasis. But it
does leave the overall question of homosexuality unanswered. Ramie keeps
claiming that the Bible says it’s wrong when people say it’s just natural and
how God made some people. But the verses are never quoted. So Ramie has no back
up for her argument. The focus really isn’t on homosexuality as much as it is
on showing love to those who are either different from you or who are living a
sinful lifestyle. That aspect is dealt with quite well and a couple verses are
referred to dealing with that issue. It just needed a bit more answers for
teens wrestling with the question of homosexuality.
Spiritual Content
Recommendation Scale: 4/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi
1
Corinthians 6: 9-11, 18-20 – Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit
the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the
sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor
homosexual offenders nor
thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit
the kingdom of God. And that is
what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Flee
from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but
he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do
you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom
you have received from God? You are not your own; you
were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Leviticus 19:18 –“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
A
website for those struggling with the issue of homosexuality: http://exodusinternational.org/exodus-student-ministries/
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