unlikly couple

the picnic

Abby went home feeling really torn. She was smitten by the pastor. He wS sweet and kind. She felt like he had given her the great gift, he could ever give. He communicated that he accepted her.   He kept communicating that acceptance. When she was with him, she felt tailored.
Ephesians said that marriage is a picture of christ's love for the church. She felt like he fulfilled that role. She started to understand the love of Christ because of the pastor. 
She feared that he was just being nice. This was him being a pastor. She feared that she was reading too much in this. She feared that she was not guarding her heart properly.
It was hard for her to not get excited. She felt like everything in her life was moving towards this. Maybe she had found the elusive family she so wanted.   She had been disappointed so.many times. Would she be disappointed again?
Apart of her wanted to run away. She wanted to about him like the plague. Another part of her wanted to run to him. She was so confused. Maybe it was her. Maybe she misinterpreted his kindness. 
She felt like she came off a high at first. She felt so excited. She was happy. Now she felt stressed. She had trouble relaxing. She wanted to run as far away as she could. 
She had trouble sleeping that night. She finally calmed down long enough to fall asleep. She fell asleep and slept through the night. 
She worked that Friday. She started her shift at nine. She got out at six. She had a good day at work. She tried not to think about the pastor. She did not want to deal with it right now.
She wanted to back off for a bit. Take a step back.  
She got home. She took off her shoes and sox. She changed into more comfortable clothing.  She had a quick lunch. Her phone rang.
She picked up the phone. She saw that it was the pastor. "Hello pastor," she said. "Hey. How would you like to go for a picnic at the piper park?" Did he ask?  "Yes, that would be fun." She said. "Want to meet up at 12:30?" He asked."definitely. "She said. " awesome.  We will see you there. The girls sre excited to see you. Nina asked when we would see miss arie. "He told her." Awe, she is such a sweetheart."abby said. "Yes. She is," he said.
Abby was nervous about seeing matt and the kids. What was he doing? Why was he doing this? It made no sense to her.  He seemed to look for any opportunity to be with her. She did not understand why.
She almost declined his offer. She did want to spend time with hi. She wanted to spend time with his kids as well. She really adored his family.   She decided to go anyway despite her concerns.
On Saturday, she took a shower. She put on a pink blouse. She put on tan pants. She wore flip flops. She put on nail polish on her hands and feet. She braided her hair. She braided it into a ponytail. She was not a makeup person. She liked to go plane.
She realized she was doling herself up. She chided herself. She felt really silly. This was not a date. Why was she treating it like it was?  She did not like that she was being like this. She tried to stay calm. 
She took a deep breath. She left her apartment. She got in her car.    She headed for the park.  She got and more nervous. She tried not to freak out. 
She saw the green minivan. She parked next to him.  He got out. He smiled. His face went from taciturn to giddy.  He had a smile just for her.  Nina gave her a great big hug. She picked her up. She hugged maccy. She said hello to Casey. 
They brought the stuff. She helped the pastor spread out A blanket on the grass. They brought the basket. He had made a chicken said sandwich. He had chips and desert as well. 
"So you cook, clean, do repair work on cars, construction what can't you.do?" She asked. "Whistle!" He said. "What?" She asked. "I can't whistle. Never have been. I have tried. I just can't do it. My siblings can. My parents and grandparents but I can't.  " he said. She burst out laughing.
"I have trouble blowing bubbles with bubble gum. I can but not always. " he said."i had no idea. "She said. " I get lost easily. G.p.s is my friend.' he said.
After the meal, she pushed Nina and mace on the swings. She looked around. They looked like a family. It made her happy at first. Then she got sad. She got a qiet.
She sat in the blanket. She took off her sandals.  "You have gotten qiet ab. You ok?" He asked. "This has been one of the best weeks of my life.  I am worried that I presented a rosy side of myself. If you knew the real me, you would run for the hills. I fear I am one mistake away from you giving up on me. " she said
"Abby, I know you're a sinner. I am a sinner too. We are both sinners saved by grace. The psalmist said that the lord remembers our frame that we are but dust. I am not looking for perfection but consistency. " he said.
"I am not who you think I am. I am complicated and messy," she said. "Everyone is," he said.
"I have tattoos." She said. "I know about the one on your ankle.i thought it was a bracelet at first. "He said. " I have more. I have three. One is on my arm. "She told him. " is that why you always wear long-sleeve shirts? You do know that it is 83 degrees out?" He asked. "I dont want to offend people. I got them before I was saved. I dont believe Christians should get tattoos. i would never get any more.  " she said.
"I agree with your position. You dont have to hide the tattoos," he said. "I was afraid you would not want to want to be seen with me if I had tattoos," she said. "It's not a big deal. I don't want you to get more but thee ones you have is fine," he said.  
"I smoke. I had some cigarettes this morning," she said. "You know it is unhealthy. I know people who have died of lung cancer. It's awful. I want you to be healthy.   I dont want you to smoke because I care about you.  I know how hard it is to quit. I will help you.  Will you answer me honestly when I ask you if you had a cigarette?" He asked. "I will," she said.
"His many more do you have?" He asked. "I have one more pack," she said.  "That's your last one ok? I am going to ask you every day. You have to be honest with me. It won't be easy. You can trust me ok?" He remarked. "Ok. I will trust you. I will do as you ask. ", she said.
" I was arrested once. I did two days in jail. Nothing too serious. "She said. " that's good." he said."i am not you know," she said. "I had a feeling. I dont count what you did before Christ against you," he said. "You have a warped view of me. You think I am something I am not. "She said. " I struggle with sin too. I struggle with pride. My grandfather who is a godly man talked to me privately. I said things that came close to sounding like the prayer of the phrase. He called me on it. Pride rears its ugly head more then I would like. I know it is a ministry killer. I have had to let the holy spirit humble me. " he said.
"I want to control everything. I have realized that only God is in control. All sin is missing the mark of God's holiness.  " he said.
"I feel awful all the time. Sin is always there. I can't escape the guilt. " she said. "What I recommend is to keep confessing. Keep reading the word. The Bible talks about not hardening your heart. I know you have a soft heart. You care about Gods' holiness. He has begun a good work in you and complete it at the day of Christ. I will be within this journey. I won't judge. Church discipline is was will full rebellion. I dont believe you will do that. " he said.
"I want to believe I can count on you." She said. "I am not your dad or your mom. I know you to be a growing Christian. I care about you. That's not going to change. I will get frustrated with you at times. You will. mad at me. You will be disappointed.  I am not going to turn my back on you. The people at church will come around. In a couple of years it will be a distant memory. " he said. "I hope your right," she said.
"I will help you through all this. This has been one of the best weeks of my life. I think the world of you ab. I really do. That won't change. " he said. 
After a while, they packed everything up. She hugged the girls. She helped get them into the van. " I had a good day. Thank you for everything. Your such a sweet man.  "He said. " I think you're really sweet too," he said. 
She got in her car and drove off. he put the girls down for a nap. He got thinking. He felt restless.  He decided to take off his wedding ring. He put in a box upstairs. He took a deep breath. 
He called Marissa. "Hi, Mathew," she said. "I just took off my wedding ring. I think it's time," he said. "I think so too. Are you considering a future with abby?" She asked. "I am. The thought had crossed my mind but I am seriously considering it," he said. "What changed?" She asked. "I dont know. We had a picnic today. I felt so close to her. We are starting to go deeper. We feel like a family. I never thought I would consider dating again. I want to go slow. I think God is bringing us together. " he said."i believe that too. Keep praying about it. Keep working towards it."she said.
Next up
The pastor visits leane 's grave one last time.