Real Sex.

Subbing at the high school can be kind of boring--I've told you this. So I bring a book to read, for when I'm not grading Eric's papers.

Generally, I'm reading something obviously Christian, so I don't mind the kids getting a peek at the book's title. But things got a little crazy with this last book I'm reading--a book my friend read and loved and suggested.

It’s a book that's turning out to be a surprisingly honest, refreshingly different look at Christians and chastity--how we should talk about sex, how we should teach about chastity, and how we as a church body need to/can nurture singles in pursuing a chaste lifestyle. I’m actually quite impressed with the author—a Christian woman who wasn’t married at 21 and actually has a sexual history, who doesn’t gloss over the fact that sexual desire is real, who doesn’t simply spout clichés and who has so clearly poured over the Text and other teachings with a critical eye.

Anyway, it’s a good read. I think this would be a valuable teaching tool, were I ever to get back to campus ministry. But that’s not really the point.

The point is I was reading it at school, like I said. And that’s normally not a problem, like I said.

But the title of said book happens to be—in shiny red letters printed on the ultra-black spine of the book—“REAL SEX.”

No one has ever given a second glance at any book I’m reading. No one has ever cared. But all of a sudden--though I was careful not to flash the title and actually ended up covering it with electrical tape, just to avoid any confusion—everyone is curious to know what I’m reading.

Students casually ask me. Teachers, unprovoked, chum up to me in the hallway while I’m working lunch duty, tip their chin at my book and want to know.

I sputter a bit. Probably turn a light crimson. Make a super awkward face. Hem. Haw. Fidget. “Errr, it’s a Christian book.” About what? “Ummmm… Welp, it’s actually called ‘Real Sex: the naked truth about chastity.’ ”

Wow. Laying it all out there. Awkward moment.

So, long story short--now I’m the substitute teacher reading the sex book.

Excellent.

Just excellent.