I’m So Happy I’m Not Her --Or Him (Writer’s Workshop)

Looking at her in the embrace of her husband’s arms as the church leaders prayed for them at a special Tuesday night meeting to deal with a sensitive issue, my heart went out to her.  Her husband was the youth Pastor in the church who had just finished explaining how his adulterous relationship happened and asking for forgiveness.  He said he ended the relationship Saturday but it was going on for two and a half months.  He was confronted about it on Sunday and confessed that it was true and so was relieved of his duties 

I felt very sad for his wife but also for him because he had been very effective in his youth ministry for years, doing a fantastic job with them.  I was in shock that he cheated on his wife with another married woman who assisted voluntarily with the youth, ending his ministry with the youth at least in this church.  He certainly knew better and so did the other woman but I understood how it happened as he described the distance he was feeling in his marriage and the hectic summer schedule of youth ministry.  He was getting burned out which is exactly when Satan will attack when he sees an opening, a weakness, an opportunity.  (A word of caution:  Don’t allow yourself to get too tired, too lonely, or too hungry because then your are weak and more susceptible to give in to temptation.).    

He and his wife have two little girls.  His wife has forgiven him and they are going to counseling in the hopes of restoring their marriage.  I hope they can.  Only God knows what his future holds.  It is good to know God is forgiving and can restore and heal broken lives.  The congregation is forgiving too and is supporting all parties involved by prayer and words of encouragement.  We should have supported our youth Pastor more in prayer during those busy days of the summer so he didn’t get burned out.  Shame on me. 

It is very sobering to see that this can happen to anybody.  We have to always guard against temptation and cling to our mate.  If we feel distance, we need to communicate more and seek ways to put that spark back in our marriage. I am currently reading “The Love Dare” book to strengthen my marriage.  Marriage takes work, a good marriage doesn’t just happen—it’s a constant work in progress that should be a high priority!

Galatians 6:1  If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.