Currents of Faith: Open and Unfolding Reflections

My mother was always for the underdog. I learned my original concern for the world from her. This concern grew with my ongoing distress watching my brother being abused by my father. I did not have the foggiest notion of what to do with these concerns other than worry and feel guilty that I did nothing. I felt helpless and cowardly. I am certain that this basic concern played a part in my choosing a career in ministry and counseling. I wanted to help and I wanted to help me to allay my helplessness and worry.

I learned about sex from my mother, older brother, high school friends, and the barnyard. I recall vividly my mother’s words when I was eleven living on the cattle ranch. A group of us boys and girls were going to play among the willow trees along a nearby creek. Mom said, “keep your pants zipped up!” These words came several years before puberty. This was my first class in sex education.