Can I Have A Glass Of Wine?

Can I Have A Glass Of Wine?


We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.
Romans 15:1-2 New Living Translation


I was at a mini family reunion. I came from Pennsylvania, my brother Scott all the way from Germany, my mom, sister, Cynthia and brother Curtis from Indiana and several other nieces and nephews descended upon my sister Kim and my brother Jerome in Stone Mountain, Georgia. It would be the first time I had seen some of them in almost ten years. It was a great time. There were hugs, smiles, bizarre looks, arguing, disagreements and complaints. I missed them so much. I really did!

The Montgomery family has never been against the consumption of alcohol and this mini reunion would be no different. Just as the drinks came out I remembered our family cookouts when I was a kid. On one such meeting I remember finally making twenty-one, the legal drinking age. My dad asked for a beer. I got two of them. I handed my dad one and cracked open the other for myself. Goodness me, why did I do that . . . ? My mom, dad, and the rest of my siblings dove all over me and took my beer! Apparently, I am the Nazirite in my family. I am surprised they let me cut my hair! Anyhow, there I was, at this mini family reunion. Out came the spirits and I wanted to have a glass of wine. Enter the other spirit, God’s Holy Spirit. As they all grabbed a glass of joy juice, I was having trouble with God. It was not about getting drunk. It was not about what my family would do to me if I tried again to drink in front of them. It was about one of my nieces. Her name is Tahi (pronounced tah-he). Tie, as I occasionally call her, was what I would call a teetotaler and a young Christian. I felt like it was important to be accountable to her. Yes, there were other Christians there, but they all had a glass of wine. Tie stood out to me in her convictions and I wanted to stand with her. I pulled her aside and asked if I could have a drink and she said, “Uncle, its okay if you have one, but I would rather you didn’t. I don’t know what message it would send to the rest of the family.”
I told her, “Well then, let’s go and get us some virgin cocktails right in front of everyone else.” She smiled and nodded in approval.

That was one of the few times I had recognized my having actually lived out the scripture. I was not consciously thinking of Romans 14 and 15. I was also not thinking of God’s being proud of me for remembering Him in the midst of so much merry in a glass. I was only thinking of my niece. As for me, I know that drinking can lead to poor decision making. I’ve seen it firsthand and I am fairly sure I have the same gene. But I also enjoy an occasional glass of wine, and as long as I do not lose my character, I think it is okay. But at the same time, I have to admit that my niece encouraged me to better behavior that day. She showed me that a good time could be had, even if the only spirit we were enjoying was the Holy Spirit.