Livinginsin.com

I spend one afternoon every week volunteering at DFW International Airport. As a DFW Ambassador I assist traveler negotiate their way around the five terminals that make up the largest airport (50 square miles) in the country.  On a typical shift I assist around a hundred harried visitors.  In some cases I even escort people who I am convinced would never find their way to the gate unless someone held their hand.  I have even helped people get reconnected with their lost passports, always a satisfying task.  I have met some interesting people along the way.  I especially enjoy hearing people’s stories.

A few weeks ago a couple came to me to ask for suggestions.  Their flight had been delayed for three hours and they were looking for ways to pass their time.  From appearance I assumed the two were probably about my age.  Time was I would have assumed they were married but things being what they are I have learned to not presume anything.  After asking where they were from, I asked “How long have you two been together?”  We’re not married, just good friends.” the fellow announced.  It turns out they were good friends in high school but now shared the common experience of having a spouse die.  They live about a hundred miles apart but enjoyed weekly rendezvous.  They also vacationed together regularly. This time they were heading to Reno.  “My friends just laugh at me,” he noted.  “My hashtag is “livinginsin.com.”

I guess that is what we have come to.  People have found creative ways to respond to God’s observation that, “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)  These days that companionship can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes.  A recent poll of those under forty determined that more people had lived with someone outside of marriage than had been actually been married.  I am not sure if that even includes those involved in same-sex relationships.  According to the same poll about two-thirds of adults over fifty also view couples living together outside of marriage as being acceptable.  

It is an interesting time to be a disciple of Jesus.  Sharing grace and mercy has never been more challenging, but then I am hard to press to think of a time when people did not need to hear it loud and clear.