Gay icon?

Matthew 28:16-20

          For a good part of yesterday I was thinking of Maya Angelou. What an inspiring life. Yesterday, she ascended leaving us a heritage of richness, fullness and love from her entire life. Yesterday I wrote about pruning and cutting. I said it didn't matter too much which was being done, it was more about how you faced life. Maya Angelou is proof of that.

          Dr. Angelou was a beacon of hope and love for all. She rose above great odds, spoke out against wrongs, lived life to the max and became all that God made her to be. That is, as best we can and her life was impressive in every way. Dr. Angelou's voice spoke to millions and gave voice to millions.

          That voice spoke was heard in a special way to the gay community. Not only was she a supporter of marriage equality but she spoke of rising up against great odds and becoming a loving instrumental person in a society that may have looked down upon you, thought of you as less or treated you with indifference. Does the gay community know anything of these? Did her voice help us achieve some of our goals and did she give a voice to millions of others who see equality, dignity and hope for a brighter more loving future?

          Dr. Angelou ascended leaving us to forge our own paths but not after giving us great words, great actions of her own to emulate and great love for us to be nurtured by. What more can we ask of any life? I am sure she is resting well in the arms of God.

          Perhaps gay icon would be to much, but Dr. Angelou certainly was a beacon for all but in  special way, a beacon to the gay community and how we can all live our own lives.  

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’