unlikly couple

when matt met abby

Abby was 19 years old. She grew up in a difficult home.  She was born out of wedlock. Her mom wanted to abort her but her parents pressured her to keep the child. She suffered from depression. She came to church because it was the last thing she tried. She was saved.
She felt isolated. When she was saved she distended herself form her old friends. The church made up of many from traditional old school fundamental baptist kept her at arm's length. She felt she did not belong anywhere. 

She felt isolated. She no longer belonged in the world but no did not quite fit in the Christian world.  It was about to get worse. The church had just called a new pastor.   The church had begun as a King James only an independent fundamental baptist church.  The church had slowly gravitated towards more evangelical. The previous pastor introduced a worship team. He started using PowerPoint. The relaxed dress standards. The more conservative elements in the church wanted to go back to the old days. The vote was very close.
The new pastor had come off a rodent.he was very strict. His messages during candidacy focused on doctrinal purity and separation. He only seemed to hang out with the fundamentalist in the church. She dreaded his arrival. She considered leaving the church. 
She knew she was a sinner. She knew she had a long way to go. She felt. isolated before. She feared she would be even more of a pariah now. 
She had said hi to him on a few occasions. she shook his hand on her way out. She almost did not attend the evening service that night. She decided to go but she decided this would probably be her last.  
"Abby. " the pastor said. "Hi pastor," she said. "Do you want to go out for coffee with me and three really silly girls?" He asked. She was stunned. "Yes, that would be nice. Thank you," she said. "Great," he said.
She knew little about the pastor. He went to a fundamental baptist university. It had a reputation as a very strict independent fundamental baptist college. While many I.f.b churches and schools we're moderating their views and becoming more evangelical but went the other way.  His dad and paternal grandfather were pastors. His maternal grandparents were overseas missionaries. He was a widower. He raised six-year-old Casey, four-year-old Mackenzie, and two-year-old Nina by himself. Besides pastoring, he worked construction. he worked for an uncle on his mom's side.  
Abby saw him as a towering figure. He was nearly six feet. He had perfect posture. His speech was refined. He used almost perfect grammar. He did not really use slang. He seemed uptight.  
Abby had said yes without really thinking about it. She was nervous. Why did he ask her out for coffee?  It made no sense. She considered changing her mind and backing out.  After the service, he shook the hands of people on there way out.   Then he went to abby.  "Are you ready?" He asked. "Yea!" She said.
She followed him in her car. He drove a minivan. They parked next to each other.  They got out. She got Nina out. She picked her up then sat her down.she got Macey out. He got Casey out. They all held hands and formed a chain. They looked like a family.  They went inside. 
"Can you get the girls seated while I make the order? " he asked. "Sure," she said. "What do you want for a coffee?" He asked. "Can I get an iced coffee, four creams, four sugars?" She asked. "You want some coffee to go with sugar?" He asked. "It's a bit much. It won't mAke me hyper. Much." She said. He laughed. "Oh on. I.am going to get a box of assorted donuts hole. Nina usually just eats one.  Do you have allergies or anything?" He asked. "No. No allergies. When it comes to donut I have a different problem." She said. "I do too," he said.
She sat down with the girls. He got the order. He brought in. He dished out the food and drinks. "So. I need something confirmed. Casey claims that you have a huge super soaker?" She asked. 'Yes, it's true. I got the biggest they sell. I modified it. The case has the next size down. "He said. " I am stunned. "She said.  He laughed.
" so, I feel like I don't know anything about you. How were you saved?" he asked? "Well, I grew up in a difficult home. My mom had me out of wedlock. She planned on getting an abortion but my grandparents would not let her. I felt like a burden. I went through depression. I tried everything else. I tried church. I was saved two mouths after I attended. I came for all the wrong reasons. The lord got through to me anyway." She said.
"I am glad he did," he said." it really is God's grace. Sometimes I wish she hAd aborted me.  I see that the Lord had a purpose for my life. "She said. " he absolutely does. "He said.
"So how are you doing? Can't be easy reading three kids by yourself." She said. "I am doing much better now. I was in a daze for a long time. I ran on automation. I am in a good place now. I was never angry at God. I was confused. I thought God set us up for a long time, not a few years. She is far happier with the lord. She completed what God had for her. " he said.
"Do you feel more like yourself now?" She asked. "Mostly yes. I have good days and bad days but more good days lately," he told her.
"Do you still struggle with depression?" He asked. "Hear and there yes. I am on anti represents. They help some. " she admitted."you been ok .i I don't you well but you seem off. Is everything ok?" He asked. She was afraid to Answer. She did not quite trust him.   "I don't fit in hear. When I got saved, I had to cut ties with a lot of my old friends. Others I tried to stay in touch. We had nothing to talk about. ain't of people here don't accept me.  Before I was saved, I dressed inappropriately and my language was not great. I was not always silent in the church. I feel Out of place. " she said.
"Abby, I did not know you back then. You start with a clean slate with me. I have had time to observe you. I Am confident that the lord is at work in your life. What I have seen is that you have A growing consistent relationship with the lord. " he said.
"That means so much to me," she said. "That is all I ask for.  I want people at my church to be growing. I want them to care about holiness. I want them to care About pleasing the lord. I can tell that you do. " he said. "Thank you for noticing." She said.
"Don't be discouraged. Don't give up. They will come around. If they don't, that is their problem.  I think I can help. I won't say anything. I can get you more plugged into the church. Don't quit. You are an important part of this church. I am glad you're here. " he said.
"Do you mind that I  wear pants?" She asked. "I am fine with it. The church does not have a dress code. " he said."you come off as super strict. In talking to you, you don't seem struct at all. "She remarked. " I really am not that strict. I see trends among professing Christians that alarms me. I see compromise. I see biblical standards being eroded. I see standards of holiness being dumbed down.  I see compromise with worldliness.  Groups once considered cults are now tolerated sometimes embraced. I guess I can be strict. I just want people to obey the Bible.  I want people to please the Lord. I don't want to be legalistic. I guess I come off struct. I don't want to be strict. I don't want to burden people.  I believe there are things that are unhelpful with the walk with God.i never say don't do this. I do make playful recommendations. Does that make sense?" He asked.
"Yes, I fully understand. That makes sense. I did not think of it that way. " she said. "I know I come off as cold. I am working on that.  I am going to have some open houses at my home once I unpack and make sense of it. I make nachos.  It's was a huge hit at my home church.  I am going to try to make more of a family environment at the church. " he said.
"I love nachos. That sounds good," she said. "I am going to try to lighten up," he said. "You're a fine pastor. I am starting to understand. Do you promise you will be patient with me? I am a work in progress?" She asked. "I will. I am so glad your part of this church. Stick around ok? Don't quit on the lord. In a few years, people will forget about your early days. Rough it out and things will get better. Know that I want you in the church. If there is something I feel that you need to work on I will talk go about it. I follow the Mathew 18 pattern. I sense in you someone that wants to please God. I won't kick the chairs out from under you. " he said.
After a time they got ready to leave. Nina was getting sleepy. She picked her up. She held hands with Macey. he held hands with Casey. they went to the van. She helped him get the kids into the van. She hugged Nina. She then hugged Macey. She said good night to Casey. "So I will follow you home. I want to make sure you made it home but I won't get out," he said. "Thank you," she said.
"Abby I know you know me yet but I want that to change. You ever need to talk get a hold of me ok?" He said. "I will. Thank you. Thank you for tonight. " she said. "My pleasure," he said.
They got into there vehicles. He followed her home and made sure she made it inside. 
Her mind started to wonder. She thought about marrying him. She stopped herself. She chided herself for even thinking it. He was being nice. He was not thinking about that. She doubted he would remarry. If he did, she was convinced she would not marry him.  It was a good night. She got a little sad. She was sure he would meet someone else. 
Next up
Abby is afraid of seeing the pastor at the midweek service.