by Virginia A. McCray…
How could one mistake cost her so much? Her life was a wreck. She’d been in church all her life and followed the scriptures and her church’s teachings as best she could, especially the ones about fornication, adultery and holy living for God is holy. She wanted her heart and her body to be pure for her future husband and for God. She loved to sing, so singing and traveling with the worship team was her love. She also felt it was her calling. While at one of the churches they were to sing for, she met the love of her life and at the tender age of 21, she married him. He was a little older at 30. She didn’t mind that, but she did mind him being a pastor. She couldn’t see herself being a first-lady at such a young age but after praying and discussing it with her Mom, who was also a first-lady, she conceded by accepting this role as her calling.
They lived a wonderful life together but just 5 years into their marriage, he had an accident while returning from a conference and he died. She was devastated! However, she continued to worship at the church he once pastored. Although it was hard going to that same church without seeing him sitting in the pulpit. So, she made the decision to start over. She moved to a different state, found a home, and started over. She continued to remain faithful to the Lord and eventually found a church she liked. Of course, she joined the worship team and soon became one of the lead singers. As the worship team traveled she became close to the worship leader. He always made her laugh, shared her love of music trivia, and the Steelers. Plus, they both loved the beach and fishing. Soon they became an item and everyone in the church loved it.
It seemed like a perfect, Godly match. One day he invited her to the family lake house and of course, she said yes. They went fishing, cooked together argued over who they thought was the best gospel singer of all time and just had a great time. Everyone in the church was excited but when she called her parents to let them know she was getting married her father was not excited. He met him and didn’t like him. Her father thought they had not known each other long enough. Although he was not happy, he finally gave his blessing.
After cleaning up they went for a walk along the water, they walked all along the shore and when they returned to sit down at the gazebo overlooking the water. As she watched a boat passing he got on his knee pulled out a ring and asked her to be his wife. She was in complete shock yet bewildered that while part of her excitedly said yes the other part of her said no. She said yes, he placed the ring on her finger and scooped her up into his arms telling her she had made him the happiest man in the world. They spent more time at the lake and decided to spend the night and against her convictions they made love the wedding was planned for the next year.
She knew it was wrong but she justified it by saying they were getting married, he loved her and she loved him. Everyone in the church was excited but when she called her parents her father was not. He thought they had not known each other long enough.
Fast Forward 2 years and it turns out her father was right.