Description
In this compelling novel, the issue of love, compassion, and true belief is brought close to home when a conservative Christian sister has to decide whether or not to accept her brother, despite his sexual identity, back into her home to die in peace.
When Alex Marshall left his stifling small town behind, he felt freedom for the first time in his life. Rejected by his conservative Christian hometown for his homosexuality, Alex becomes a successful lawyer, active in the gay community and committed to his partner, Scott. But tragedy strikes in the form of AIDS, as it rips away Alex’s dignity and crushes his body. He is near the end of his life.
Annie Whitley, Alex’s sister, is faced with a difficult choice when a call from Alex comes out of the blue. Should she travel to care for her estranged brother—who represents the lifestyle she’s been taught to hate and fear—or stay away, deny him, and follow what the town demands? Choosing Alex, she begins to see how her decision impacts the entire community.
And You Invited Me In addresses the moral dilemma that many face: how can people accept or even tolerate a way of life so different from anything they have been taught to believe is acceptable? This interwoven tale speaks of love, compassion, and true belief, as a family reconciles and a town comes to understand the truth of its faith, and is resonant with the hymn of equality.
About the Author
Cheryl Moss Tyler holds two master’s of education degrees in special education and human development counseling from Vanderbilt University. She is currently a licensed professional school counselor and lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Cheryl Moss Tyler was the daughter of a Methodist pastor. On many occasions she was with her father as he visited the sick, dying, or sat beside a person who had just received news of a terminal illness. However, in the early 1990’s when her landlord was dying of AIDS, she witnessed how the local church had become too busy to be available for this member.
Was this situation only about AIDS, or was this about how we’ve become more focused on programs and have forgotten about the individual? However, if this was about AIDS, homosexuality, and the attitude of the conservative church, then the question would be: what would Jesus want conservative Christians to do? “And You Invited Me In” has been called a parable for today and helps bring answers to one of the most controversial issues facing America today.
