Blending my reading into my writing.

I’ve been reading a lot lately about some pretty serious religious stuff. Patriocentrism (a.k.a. Biblical patriarchy), the Quiverfull movement, and the teachings of hyper-fundamentalist Bill Gothard. A lot of my reading has stemmed from two blogs: Razing Ruth, and The Commandments of Men. Some of this has also been discussed at the Stuff Fundies Like forum, and I’ve read several other blogs that have their jumping off points at either of the previous two.

It’s fascinating and horrifying at the same time, reading about how “Ruth” escaped her oppressive family with their ties to Bill Gothard, their patriocentrism and their adherence to the Quiverfull lifestyle. Why did she escape? To keep from marrying the jerk her father allowed to court her. (Good news is that she’s now engaged to the man of her choice!)

Then there’s Lewis, a pretty cool guy who was once engaged to a young lady from such a family. Go read his story; it will break your heart. His bride-to-be was isolated and pressured by her family to drop him. He speaks out on his blog against Biblical Patriarchy and courtship.

Now, how does this fit into my writing?

Well, I’m still working in fits and starts on Moonstrike, my Thunderbirds, “Tracy sister” fanfic, and I wanted to find a reason for two different things. One, why Jeff Tracy and his wife, Lucille, had six children in the first place (six is even considered a large family today; think of how it would be looked on thirty years from now). And, two, why Jeff didn’t ask Lucille’s parents for help in raising the kids after her death.

My answer? Lucille came from a family like the one “Ruth” came from. Like the one Lewis’s ex-fiancée came from. And, like “Ruth”, she fled her home to fulfill her dream of going to college… and marrying Jeff. And as in Lewis’s case, Lucille’s father would have kept his daughter from Jeff if he could.

So, that’s where my reading has blended into my writing. I know it will be unique. I just hope it rings true.

Thank you, “Ruth” and Lewis, for sharing your stories with me. I hope my using them as inspiration doesn’t offend you. If it does, please be honest and let me know.

Eavesdropping

My oldest son has a girlfriend. She's an interesting person from many different angles. One, she's a senior (and he's a junior). She's African-American (and we're not). She's albino--and loves to color her hair flaming (and I do mean flaming) red. She's spunky, gregarious, outspoken--all things my oldest son is not. She chased him, not the other way around.

She's also a Jehovah's Witness.

My parents and some of my other family members don't like that very much. They keep warning me not to let things go too far. Her own parents are strict with her, and believe dating is meant for marriage. They're concerned about the future possibilities, and conflicts in faith should the two marry. My husband and I have a different take on dating: it's a time to meet and get to know someone and see if they are compatible as a marriage partner. But it doesn't necessarily lead to marriage in every case. We also know that, if their marriage is going to happen, nothing we can do will stop it. (Never mind the fact that, at their ages, it's far, far, far too early to be talking about them marrying anyway!)

Her folks are personable, and I like them. We've had dinner together, and they want us to do other things with them, too. I like her and speak with her on the phone while trying to pry him out of a book or drag him in from gardening.

Today, she asked if my son could go with her to "the Memorial". It's on the evening of Palm Sunday, and - as she put it - it's a memorial or celebration of Jesus Christ's death. I deferred to my husband on this one; his thought is that our son is old enough to decide matters of faith for himself. So, he's going.

Now, the two of them talk on the phone every night, sometimes longer and later than I like. But tonight, I've been eavesdropping as my son tries to explain to his girlfriend the meaning of things like the resurrection, and communion, and a lot of our own beliefs and practices. He has his KJV out, and is reading passages of scripture to her, sharing with her what we believe and why we believe it.

We haven't been to church in several years, and our absence has been during a very impressionable time for all my kids. All of them have professed Christ. All of them have been baptized. They've gone to Sunday school, children's church, AWANA, and Christian school. And now, my son is... defending isn't quite the right word... but explaining in a non-threatening way (I hope) the beauties of the Gospel.

I don't know where any of this will go; not his relationship, not his faith, not his future. I can only pray that God will lead him, and keep him pointed towards Christ.