I have an answer...

For years, I've refused alcohol. For 20 years, it's because I've been underaged. Not breaking the law is cool...

I've been thinking about this for a good amount of time. People like to harass me... why won't you have a glass of wine? Are you afraid of it? Are you being a snit? (Don't ask me... I just made that word up. It's a word that describes how some people make me feel).

I refuse perhaps permanently to drink alcohol... because it's my prayer. I hate the stuff. I have seen too much pain over it. I have seen too many anguished people whose marriages are breaking up because one of them is an alcoholic. I have seen too many broken hearted mothers and fathers whose child has died from a drunk driver. I have seen too many hurting girls who have been raped because of the influence of alcohol. I have seen too many people abusing others, acting stupid, and dying because of it.

Let's back up. I'm NOT stupid. I realize that it's the people's choice and not the alcohol that is evil. However, for many people, alcohol is kind of like sin. You wet your foot (or your tongue) and think... ooo very nice. And then all of a sudden you're drowning. So why tempt yourself?

When I refuse alcohol, it's my prayer that if someone around me is struggling to not drink, that I will give them enough bolster to refuse a drink as well. I extrapolate it even further. When I refuse to drink, I remember all the people that have been hurt by alcohol and I fight back for them... not just in the act, but in prayer. When I am with friends, I'd rather figgle (aka: food giggle. Arielle made that word up because I get really happy when I eat) than get really happy on a drink. And what other reason is there to drink it than to be social and feel a little happier? I really don't think I'm missing that much and if I am? Well there's always heaven.

Thank you for listening. Now you can call me a snit. :)

Yours crying out for the world
Katie