Victory Collection-Book One

Beneath the Robe

Beneath the Robe

Kenneth Baines was a Presbyterian minister, who didn't always wear the robe of a clergyman. Sometimes, he counseled, visited the sick, or played softball with the youth group. Those who knew his more human side, became his closest friends. A young member of the congregation and the worship music team wanted more.

It is not unusual for a counseling client, who was going through a divorce, to experience "transference" and develop an infatuation with their counselor, especially when he was a handsome, married, untouchable man of God. Clients sometimes relate to the warmth, kindness, understanding, and attention they are craving after the rejection of spousal betrayal. That's what happened to Wendy, who was young and foolish, but didn't have evil intents. Part of the allure was the fact that they were both Christians, who loved the Lord, and each other on a Christian basis (the Agape God kind of love). It was an especially vulnerable time in their lives.

Wendy was an attractive 24 year old, who was energetic, vivacious and trim like the Kenneth's wife use to be. By now, Jeannie had gained more than 90 pounds. She was still outgoing, friendly, and chatty _ all the things a minister's wife should be. They had two children, Andy, age five and Shelly, age three. The Baines' were about to celebrate their tenth anniversary. Jeannie had tried to get pregnant for four years before she was able to conceive. So, the children seemed like little miracles.

Wendy saw an opportunity to get closer to "Ken", as she referred to him (no longer addressing him as pastor). She was a volunteered in the beginners' classroom. The children adored her and were enthusiastic when she offered to babysit them. Jeannie too had gotten to know Wendy, so she thought, as part of the music team that Jeannie led. The two became friends and Jeannie took Wendy under her wing. She neglected to notice how Wendy stared at her husband as he addressed the congregation on Sunday mornings. She thought nothing of it when Kenneth drove Wendy home, even when Jeannie's offer had been declined. Wendy said it would be out of Jeannie's way, with the children and all.

Jeannie was not the suspicious, jealous type. She knew how much her husband cared for his flock and Wendy was a little lost lamb at the moment. One day, Pastor Kenneth, had the children along in the car. Children tend to not know when something is a rye and often have no filters. But, when the three of them started out to meet Jeannie at a restaurant, following a church function, little Andy was surprised when their dad announced they were giving Wendy a ride home first.

Once the family arrived at the steak house, Andy told his mother about Wendy putting a large cake-saver on the front seat, where mommy sits, and Wendy sat in the middle. Jeannie thought it a bit strange but not, necessarily, inappropriate. Then, Shelly said, in her baby-talk way, Miss Jeannie was crying, so daddy "hold her hand". Jeannie was aware that Wendy's two year marriage was breaking up. So, again, she made allowances.

The pastor's counseling sessions with Wendy were beginning to turn from mutual respect and sympathy to closeness and empathy. That opened the door to more intimate conversation, and he confided in her about his own marriage being less than perfect. In fact, as the session progressed, he seemed to be more and more unhappy. His wife's rapid weight gain, didn't keep him from loving her, but did have an effect on his sexual desire. In his studies of psychology, he had heard that often overweight people become even more sensual. It just wasn't the case in his life.

He also noticed Jeannie was starting to lost interest in the music team and other church-related activities. She seemed to be less and less like the beautiful girl he married, which Wendy still was. He felt guilty comparing the two but found himself with Wendy increasingly on his mind. He had been devoted to his wife and his congregation. But, lately, his values were being challenged. He was finding himself in a situation he never expected.