I came out to my insurance agent.

Dear new Friend,

It's not often I take the risk of coming out to someone when I barely know them.

And yes, my Pride friends, I know the language I use. Just know that Christ followers-- real Christ followers, have sadly lived hidden under the covers lives in their businesses and friend groups and families and communities and churches; people who live and look and sound a lot like the heart of Jesus in actual hiding-- let that sink in-- so Pride friends-- sadly a lot of people are hiding from religious zealots.

We'd been on the phone about five minutes. We were talking about claims and counter claims. I could tell where, as my adjuster you were concerned this conversation was going sideways. So I called time out. "Hey. You need to know something. I saw the FCA Bracelet the other day."

"Yeah. I remember. "

"So, Christ follower?"

"Yeah."

"OK. Then Before we go any further we've got to make sure something is clear. Because this isn't just a business transaction. This is a conversation between you and me and Jesus, and we've got to treat it accordingly. Yes. There is business involved. But it's business about eternal dust, and you've got to know I'm going to treat it just that way. That's going to be my promise to you. And as a brother in Christ, if I forget that, then you can remind me of my promise." And it changed the entire tone of our conversation. And if you were honest, and I'm sure you were, it might have changed your whole day, and what a joy to be a part of that.

And then we talked about ten more minutes about insurance and about forty five more minutes about faith and life. And it was amazing, at least for me. Because until that point, new friend, I'd been in the middle of a pity party.   And a Gritch fest. Equal parts griping and bitching. Not that you've done it, but you've probably seen it done from afar. You didn't know that part, until now. You though it was a one sided affair, didn't you. I the minister, you the ministry. sorry. Just two fellow followers of Christ walking together down the path through the mud on a rainy day. . It rarely is a one sided affair in the Body. you know. Maybe Jesus knew that the only thing that was going to call me out of myself was the opportunity for ministry. So thanks for the opportunity. Love you. I hope you take me up on lunch. Can't wait to buy.

thus spake,

me.