If you can't trust a preacher

This summer I received my most interesting albeit disturbing proposition from a man. And yesterday I received news that made that encounter even more horrible.

I was teaching at a summer youth church conference for an entire week and having a great time. My classroom was on the main floor and one day I needed some pencils for my class. I asked the first person I saw, whom happened to be the pastor of the host church. He retrieved my pencils, I thanked him and went on my way.

On the second day of class, he asked me if I had a moment could I please stop by. Me being the new kid on the block and having different teaching styles from the other instructors, I begin to worry that during the times he stopped my class, he heard something he didn't like.

I wasn't able to find out that afternoon however, because our church van loaded quickly and I took some conference calls on my lunch break.

The next morning he saw me and repeated his request as well as told me his disappointment that we didn't talk the previous day. I assured him I would find him later that day.

Apparently, he couldn't wait. During a break between classes I was on my way to the restroom when he asked me to step into a room (it just so happened to be my classroom). I was fine with the situation until he closed the door and put his hand over the door.

He was taller and larger than me so this was immediately intimidating and awkward. His words to me didn't help the situation either. Let me remind you that we were at a church conference before I go on.

To paraphrase we had a conversation that amounted to him revealing that he thought I was beautiful and that he wanted to take me out. In addition he revealed he was 13 years my senior but didn't think there was a problem with that. I told him that as with everything in my life I would need to pray on whether I should give him my number so that he could call me. Shockingly he asked me when I thought I'd get an answer. He of all people knows you can't put a time on when God will move.

So that answer got me off the hook and I finally made it to the bathroom to relieve myself and wash myself from what I felt was a slimy encounter. I did pray for an answer but received none from the remainder of the week so I left it alone.

A few weeks ago he was scheduled to appear at our church and never made it. I admit I was nervous to attend the service but decided I had done nothing wrong other than not communicating that I hadn't received an answer.

So you can imagine my shock when my own pastor announced that next Saturday this very same preacher would be getting married out my church!!!

Like any sane woman I did the math, and even spotted him an extra month. 5 months after he approached me he was getting married. It really makes you think and wonder whether his current relationship developed quickly and he was really ready for marriage OR if he was in the relationship already.

Which makes me think, if you can't trust a preacher, then who can you trust?

There are at least two other preachers who have been sniffing around lately --neither of which I'm interested in. One reminds me of the main character in the story in that he is an older man who wants to settle down and have the perfect YOUNG preacher's wife.

I'm not a complete hellion but God has some work left on me and for now I don't think I've found the right preacher yet who can make me consider marriage.

So be careful the next time you are at church-not only are the women looking for men, but the men are looking too. And those in the pulpit are able to scan the entire congregation for the entire service!