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As Franklin began to realize where he was, and what he’d just been through, he also became aware that his son and daughter were there with his wife. Apparently his screams had awakened the entire family, and seeing his son brought back visions of what he’d just witnessed concerning the boy. Feeling embarrassed and having a deep sense of regret, he got up and went over to hug Tim.
“Remember, son,” he whispered in his ear, “there is nothing you can do that would ever make me stop loving you.”
As he released his embrace, he looked at Tim’s face and noticed a sincere mixture of joy and confusion in his reaction. Knowing he would have to explain this in more detail later, and in private, he merely tousled Tim’s hair and turned to hug his daughter, before finally embracing his wife.
“I know you are all wondering what happened to me,” he began in explanation, “but I think it’s best to merely say I had a very disturbing dream – one that made me come to grips with many aspects of my life. Over time you will come to discover that I am no longer the man I once was, and hopefully the new version will be better than what I was before. I don’t have time to explain everything now, because we all need to get some sleep, but I will tell you more as time goes by.”
None of his family members were quite sure what he meant by this, but they were willing to wait until he was ready to explain this more fully. As they made their way to their bedrooms, Franklin followed his son to his bedroom and closed the door behind him.
“I know you’re confused by what I said to you in the study, but I believe I see things more clearly now. If you should happen to be gay or bisexual, I won’t love you any less and I will never drive you from your home. All I ask is that you find someone to love and then love that person with all your heart. If you do that, then I promise I will love that person as much as I love you.”
Tim was totally speechless after hearing this, as well as greatly moved and relieved. He threw his arms around his father’s chest and pinned Franklin’s arms to his side as he gave his dad the biggest bear hug they’d ever shared. His father kissed him on the forehead to show his appreciation, and once his son loosened his grip, Franklin hugged him in return. He then tucked Tim into bed, kissed him goodnight, and walked down the hallway to his own room.
When he got there, his wife was already in bed, and he made sure to kiss her as well before he snuggled against her familiar frame and they fell into a blissful, dreamless slumber.
When they awoke the following morning, Franklin decided to tell his wife a little more about what he’d experienced the prior evening before they got out of bed. He told her about Patsy Falwell’s ghost and the three spirits that followed, as well as about some of the things he’d seen, although he didn’t mention anything about their son. He felt it would be best if they waited until Tim was ready to share that information with them, if he eventually decided to let them know about his sexual orientation.
His wife wasn’t sure she understood what her husband had been through, but she was convinced that Franklin saw it as a sign from God and he was definitely going to change. He wasn’t doing this half-heartedly either and would make a total commitment, starting with the way he preached to his congregation. The following Sunday, he had a new message for them.
“God spoke to me on Christmas Eve and helped to open my eyes. He chastised me about the way I’d been preaching and informed me that I misunderstood some of his teachings, so I will attempt to clear up some of these misconceptions with you. The first has to do with sexual orientation and whom a person loves.”
His congregants were preparing themselves for another fire and brimstone sermon about the evils of the gay lifestyle, but that isn’t what they heard. “God helped me to realize that most males and females have no control over which sex they are attracted to. The only exception to this is for those who are bisexual and are attracted to both sexes. This means conversion therapy can only be effective and able to influence people who are bisexual, so I’m no longer going to support this practice, since it does more harm than good to those who identify as gay.”
Several gasps could be heard coming from the pews, seeing some of the congregants were unable to comprehend Reverend Phelps’ sudden about-face, and then they began to murmur. Franklin knew it would take time to bring everyone over to his new way of thinking, because they didn’t have the advantage of having the spirits as their guides.
Franklin also withdrew his support for a Constitutional Amendment prohibiting non-traditional forms of marriage, and once he did that he became an advocate for gay rights. He championed bills calling for fairer treatment of gays and ending discrimination against them, and he was also very vocal about rescinding and abolishing the sodomy laws. As far as he was now concerned, the only sexual acts that needed to be regulated was the issue of non-consensual sex and rape.
Although it took time to bring others over to this way of thinking, he didn’t give up. He met with other religious leaders first and slowly brought them along, and once they were convinced and began to preach the same message, their followers came over to their way of thinking as well. It wasn’t easy, but Reverend Phelps never gave up.
Over time, as these new ideas spread and became accepted, the veil of ignorance, hatred, and bigotry was lifted from men’s eyes and the country and world became a happier and more peaceful place to live. From that time forward the true meaning of Christmas was practiced and people now accepted that Jesus was born into this world to bring love and understanding, as well as to die for their sins.
Franklin Phelps was true to his word and became the best friend, the best parent, the best husband, and the best clergyman anyone could ever hope to be. In his heart he understood that what he was doing was both right and just, and this helped him to avoid the fate that Patsy Falwell had shown to him. May we all be so fortunate!
THE END