I threw out an ice breaker soon after my team and I met the sophomore class with whom we would spend the day leading on retreat.

A few hands went up, and I pointed to a girl, “Yes, young lady,” to which she replied, “Call me ‘they.’”

While this wasn’t my first rodeo, I had to smile inside as I prayed to the Holy Spirit, “That was quick; I hope you are ready!”

Conscious of the fact that the young people we meet are victims of a very toxic culture that has abused them in so many ways, I tread carefully. “Why do you want me to call you ‘they?’”

She answered, “I am gender neutral, non-binary.”

She was looking directly at me, and as our eyes connected my heart went out to her. I think she sensed it. I said, “I wonder if you will do me a favor…I’m a simple guy, I don’t even know your names and now I have to learn your pronouns. I don’t think I’m capable of remembering it all. So just for now—and we can go to plan B later if you don’t like it—may I call you a Beloved Child of God?”

I’m sure the Holy Spirit was present because she slowly nodded her head yes. “Me too,” I exclaimed, “I’m a Beloved Child of God, as is each person in this room. We share a common heritage.”

I thanked her, and looking up at the class asked, “Who is ready to go on an adventure, a journey to the heart? To a place of peace where no one is allowed to impose their opinions or ideology on you, but where you will use your own God-given reason to seek the truth and use your free will to choose the good? Let me begin by sharing a story.”