Dear People Whom God Loves,
I am reading a book, Joyous Sexuality: Healing from the Effects of Family Sexual Dysfunction, by Mic Hunter M.S. These are some thoughts of his…mixed in with a little bit of my own. He writes about these kinds of intimacy.
1. Physical intimacy – For example, sharing a hug, touching hands, an arm on a shoulder with a willing partner. Notice the important word willing.
2. Mental intimacy – sharing personal thoughts with another. For example, thoughts about deep personal values.
3. Emotional intimacy – sharing emotions and feelings with someone who understands and cares.
4. Sexual intimacy – sexual contact with a willing partner. Notice that not all sexual contact is intimate. If the sexual contact is abusive, it is not intimate. This means that if it is forceful or manipulative, it is not intimate. An example of manipulation. When sex is a means of control or getting something that you want.
5. Spiritual intimacy – feeling connected with the loving, mysterious energy we name God. Some would name this a higher power or the universe. This connection will often be joined with other people or other aspects of our world. Different people will find one or the other connections coming first.
Each of these intimacies doesn’t have to stand alone. Our intimacy
deepens as more of them are blended together in our life.
Understanding our sexuality is difficult and usually takes a long time. These thoughts are helpful to me. I hope that they will be helpful to you in your journey.
Smile, God Loves You,
Father Clay
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