Sunday, January 20, 2013

If You’re Happy and You Know It, Say You’re Gay


by Glynis M. Belec

                Lest anyone think I am climbing out of a figurative closet and announcing a gender bender, sorry to disappoint you.  I am gay. Yes. But not of the homosexual variety. Gay, according to my trusty Funk and Wagnall’s Standard College Dictionary means happy and carefree and merry; vibrant and colourful. I try to be a happy soul most of the time so I guess that makes me gay.

                I'm sure a few short weeks ago some sang Deck the Halls and talked about how we don our gay apparel,  Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la…  So you see, we really do know that gay still means happy and colourful, right?

                I'm sure I am going to get myself in trouble somewhere along the lines by griping about how some words, like gay,  manage to evolve over time and before we know it our nice original meanings have been changed around to suit. Speaking of nice, did you know that a nice person – a very long time ago, was someone who was ignorant or unaware?

                And a troll used to mean to either move around [as in fishing] or it was a funny looking creature with big ears and a bad smell - think The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Now it means someone who thoroughly enjoys sending someone into a tailspin on on-line forums or social networks. 

                 Remember when a stream was that little body of water that instilled a feeling of peace and serenity? Now it also can mean that horrid constant flow of emails, Facebook photos, images, tweets. 

                

Spam was the name reserved for that fatty jellied ‘mystery meat’ housed in that special rectangular can with the equally special key attached? Now it means nasty messages or unwanted, unsolicited and irritating email.

 Windows aren't only something you have to clean every now and again. Tweet is not necessarily the sound a bird makes. Text isn't just a heavy book you have to lug from class to class. The list goes on. I feel sorry for people just learning the English language.

                Some might think some of these changes are awful. Others might think that it makes language interesting.  That reminds me. Do you know that something that used to be awful actually meant something wonderful, delightful and amazing? You know - full of awe. Now we have that lovely awesome word that is flashed around all over the place these days instead. Funny how things change. 


Speaking of awesome, I'm thinking about the awesome Word of God. I'm also thinking about how glad I am that that never changes. I know some will argue and shout about how interpretation and false prophets and people who rip people off using the Bible, distort and change what is written. But no matter how people try to drag the Word of God through the mire, it always survives. The Word is relevant and awesome  [as in - it fills me with awe] and as it says in 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking and correcting and training in righteousness.

                For that, I am a happy [gay] camper. 

8 comments:

Susan JOY said...

Now THAT is an awesome piece of writing Glynis and I am in agreement that our God does not change. :)
How wonderful and comforting it is to know that He never changes, nor does He ever leave us nor forsake us. I am so thankful for the promises that our Lord has given us in the Word (Bible).
Thank you for the laughter, the smile and your words.

Blessings and heaps of hugs my friend,
Susan JOY

Glynis said...

And I wish I had your name, Susan! Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. Just seeing your lovely name makes me happy [gay!] :):)

Donna Mann said...

Hey there sister - now what fun could you have with the word Mann (man)? I always tell the men in the choir that I can stand with them because I'm a man(n)too, just with a soprano voice. 8<}

Glynis said...

Mann, could I have a lot of fun with that one! Every mann for himself. Send a Mann to do a woman's job...Mann the ship...In the beginning God created Mann! Woah...stop me! Thanks for your love!

Peter Black said...

Ahem . . . if a brother be permitted to join the chorus . . . ;)
Thanks for this delightful perky and pertinent piece, Glynis.
You scratch me where I often itch, regarding the changing use of words (your leading one, in particular).
But that is language, I guess; a dynamic, evolving thing.
Ah, but your name is to be envied too (or at least, is nothing to be ashamed of, but rather, embraced): Glynis -- "beautiful and holy"! :)
~~+~~

Glynis said...

Thanks, Peter and welcome to the chatter. Your words, as always encourage and keep us motivated! Funny what you say about my name - I never used to like it because it was always hard for me to say and when we came to Canada, hardly anyone had heard of it. Mom and Dad named me after Glynis Johns - the actress. Do you recall her at all? :)

Janis Cox said...

Oh that is so funny Glynis. I really enjoyed reading the "changing times" but it also so true that our God never changes. I am so thankful to that.

Blessings,
Janis

Glynis said...

Amen, sister Jan. I sure need that absolute unchanging Word of God to sustain me. No matter how words evolve - God is always the same - today, yesterday and forever!

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