Yours Not Mine

Chapter 5

After his shift, Matt sat down with Michael at Starbucks.

"How was the date?" Michael asked.

Matt choked on his coffee at the sound of the question. He cleared his throat, "Um, what?"

"You think I'm stupid? Don't think I didn't notice you come home late with a humungous smile on your face, then stay up late laughing at cute messages on your phone,"

"Uh, you must misunderstand it,"

"Oh, come on! Don't deny it! That was a date and you may not be dating now but you will be, no matter how surprising it is that you actually landed a girl like her,"

"Okay, even if this little ridiculous theory of yours was right, she wouldn't even date me. She's a Christian, I'm...not."

At that moment, Faith walked in to join them. To Matt's surprise, she didn't look as cheerful as usual. In fact, she looked upset.

"What's wrong?" Matt asked.

"I just got off the phone with my dad and he's probably not gonna be home for Christmas,"

"So sorry to hear that," Michael said with concern.

"But, he promised to get better so he could see me as soon as possible,"

"Well, that's good," Matt said, trying to lift her spirits.

"It's nothing I haven't heard before," she obviously wanted to change the subject. "So, what do you guys have planned for the holidays?"

"You know, typical family dinners and such," Matt replied.

Faith suddenly remembered something. "Ooo, Michael I've been meaning to invite you to my church for Christmas Eve Mass. Would you like to go?"

"Oh, I don't know. That's very nice of you, but I haven't been to church in a while. People aren't too accepting of me, being openly gay and all,"

"Don't be ridiculous, at church everyone's family. They won't judge you,"

"Well, okay. After all, it is Christmas,"

"Awesome! It's my first time going to that church and I'd be more comfortable if I brought friends," she turned to look at Matt.

He shook his head, "Uh, I'm good." He didn't want her thinking he would do anything she wanted just because he recently made friends with her friends.

"Please?"

Matt didn't say anything.

"I don't want to force you to do something you don't want to do. You'd be miserable then I wouldn't accomplish anything. At least think about it."

He nodded.

"It's gonna be weird going to church for the first time in months," Michael said. "People are gonna look at me like I'm an abomination,"

"You're not an abomination. The Bible says homosexual acts are an abomination," Faith informed him.

"It's been really complicated for me. I don't want to make God unhappy, I don't. I can't help who I am. I believe God made me this way, so why is it wrong?" he started to tear up.

"I believe you were born that way too. Trust me, just being gay isn't an abomination, you aren't condemned the moment you're born. Despite what anyone says to you, you were fearfully and wonderfully made in God's likeness and He loves you more than anyone on this earth ever will. Stray away from a homosexual lifestyle, pray, and repent of your sins,"

"So, I can never fall in love?"

"I don't know. I can't answer all of your questions, but you know who can. As long as you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior and put God first, you'll lead a righteous life. I promise, you'll put a big smile on God's face when He sees you in His house,"