Jog, what I find revealing in a humorous way is that most of these progressives, forward thinking, liberally tolerant folk, seem attracted to my personality, in person.
I have made many a friendship in their ranks.
In person I am a wee bit unscripted, and love to keep things light.
I would say without braggadocio, I am an up person, and by contact, I can carry that mood, sharing and giving it to others around me, often lightening their mental burdens at the moment.
Now I don't push my faith verbally (in person) but try to represent its teachings with actions, WITHOUT calling attention to why.
Only when queried with a question like, "What keeps you so up and positive?" will I share its in knowing Jesus.
As I type this now my memory is extremely vivid with recall as to some of their faces
WRONG ANSWER All that we have experienced, months of together, if not more, seem to come crashing in upon them, in a conflicting manner....
I can't recall any of them saying truly hateful things, when this is revealed, but most have the same look of incredulous confounding, written across their body language.....
Most all will start to pull away, not all, but most.
I accept it as life, for I was foretold this would happen.
It can even happen as deep as a family relationship, from a parent to a child....
That is harsh!
I hold no animosity toward these folks, as there is no value in doing such.
How can I hold someone responsible to what they don't know?
If our pilot (co-pilot too) was too suddenly die, while in flight, am I to get mad at the guy sitting next to me because he lacks the understanding to take control of the aircraft, and assure us a safe landing?
No, of course not
If I feel anything, it is sadness, for them, in my heart.
I don't pity them, or treat them differently.
I accept the truth in the knowing that it is as life, it is what it is, and I needn't wrap anymore understanding around it than that....
Sorta like dust in the wind.
It doesn't make me cold (of the heart) to live as such, no, just the opposite, it frees me from feeling the NEED to "change" them, thus allowing me to pilot my own life, freely, accepting my views and perceptions on their own merit
IF those beliefs and perceptions take me to the airport of serenity, landing safely