The widow

"What about Jenifer Parker?" His dad asked. He had not considered her. He thought about it for a second. He has known Jenifer Parker since he was 12. Jenifer Parker was a 31-year-old widow. Her husband had started the gospel baptist church, the church James grants now pastors.

Her husband doug started the church shortly after they were married. She was pregnant with her son Caleb when the church started. When Caleb was two, not was born. Nate and called were joined by a sister Chrissy. When Emmy was three months old, doug died unexpectantly on an aneurysm.

The church asked James to serve as interim pastor. James was in between churches at the time. They liked James and his family. The church asked him to. former candidate. The church voted him in as pastor. Matt became the assistant pastor. In a way, he became a kind of pastor. They shared in the pastoral duties. The church joked that they got two preachers for the price of one.

Matt thought about what his dad had suggested. He respected Mrs. Parker. She was a godly woman. She had a good reputation. She was a very nice lady. She was kind. She was a good mother. She and her mom were quite close. Jenifer and her kids had been frequent guests at their homes.

She had the qualities of a good time. she was qualified. She was a nice lady. She seemed very strict. She was very serious. He suspected that was due to the grief she suffered. He remembered her as very strict before her husband died. He thought it would be like marrying the headmistress at a boarding school in one of those old movies. He liked the idea.

"I had never considered her. She is a godly lady. " matt said. "She is financially well off. Her husband had saved up money. The house was paid for well before he died. She needs to be financially supported. Her kids need a dad. I think you could be a blessing to them. I don't want to force this on you. I think this could be a good thing. " his dad said.

He promised his dad, he Would consider Mrs. Parker. He gave it thought. He prayed about it. He decided that he should pursue her. This did make sense. He felt that the lord may be bringing them together. He felt like he did not know her. He knew a little bit about her but did not know her.

He checked her social media page. She liked to post king James bible verses. She liked to post sacred Christian music and hymns. She had her youtube page where she and her kids sang. She posted ladies groups and widows groups. She had a blog where she discussed grief.

She had a secondary blog where she discussed how to build starship models. She posted videos of her and her kids building the ships. She made medieval devices as well. He was surprised. He did not see her as a science fiction and fantasy person.

She addressed this in a video, "Hello, I wanted to discuss my views on science fiction and fantasy. As a kid, i grew up in a Christian home. My dad is a deacon and a lay preacher. My mom is a Sunday school teacher and needs ladies' bible studies. We were homeschooled. We were sheltered. We did not have not cable or satellite. As a kid, I did watch some old television. I loved the old lost in space tv series. "

"I read rules Verne and h.g wells. I loved the stories of King Arthur. Science fiction and fantasy is a creative way to explore life. I about fantasy that depicts wizardry, magic, or dragons. This allowed more creativity. " she said.

Matt had no idea that she was so imaginative. She was very creative. She was a bit of an enigma wrapped in a conundrum. He thought she was rigid. He thought that she was all about rules and regulations. He was seeing a very different person. Someone very warm.

She posted a video of her singing the him"it is well with my soul". It made him cry. "It was a long time before I could sing this. I remember one week at church we sang it. i tried to sing along and I could not. I wanted to leave the room but I knew it would draw attention. I am in a place where I can say it is well with my soul. "

Jenifer was five foot nine. She usually had her hair in a poney tail or braided. She had shoulder-length hair. She commonly wore dresses or skirts. She liked to wear a denim skirt.

He was realizing that she was not the person he thought she was. She was far more dynamic than he had thought. He prayed about it for a time. He decided that he had the clearance from the lord to proceed.

He had never had a relationship before. There were young ladies he was interested in but nothing came of it. He did not want to casually date. He wanted to date with the goal. of exploring Mariege. He saw her as someone he could marry. He had no idea how to start.

He decided to send her flowers. He saw a bouquet he liked. He thought that she would like it. He hoped she would.

Jenifer did some work form. home to sublimate her income. She only worked a couple of hours.

She was about to stop her work for the day when there was someone at the door. She had no idea who it was. She went to the door. A delivery man brought her followers. The flowers were beautiful. She had no idea who would have brought them.

"Are you sure these are for me?" She asked. "Are you Jenifer Parker?" The delivery man asked. "Yes, I am Jenifer." She said. "These are for you!" He said. She looked them over.

She opened the card. "To Mrs. Parker, I hope you have a great day love matt." She laughed. He called her Mrs. Parker.

That night, she called him. He was reading when the phone rang. He did not recognize the number. He decided to answer it. "Hello, "he said. " matt it's Jenifer. "She said. " hi," he said.

"Thank you for the flowers. That was quite thoughtful," she said. "Not a problem." He said. "I did get flowers anymore. It was a nice gesture," she said. "I hope it brightened your day," he said. "It did," she said.

"How are you doing lately?" He asked. "I have good and bad days. Better recently. I am still not ok but I am getting back to normal. "She told him. " you have always handled things in a godly manner. I admire you. I hope I could similarly handle things. " he said. "That is sweet of you to say. Thank you," she said.

"Have you considered getting maried again?" He asked. "It was unthinkable when doug first died. It has been two years. I know that biblically I can remarry. My children need A farther. Emmy is still young. She has never really had a dad in her life. Chrissy has not had a dad either. I would like someone in my life again. I miss having someone to talk to. " she told him.

"That's understandable," he said. "Sense you And your family came to g.b.c, I believe you have been single. You do not r flirt. " she remarked. "I have been looking but I don't want to just date to date. I would love to only date the person I eventually marry. That is what I am praying for. " he told him.

She liked him. She respected him..she had known him since he was 12. Could she view him as her spiritual leader? Could she trust him to be the leader of her family? He worked construction. He was the foreman. He was his uncle's, right-hand man. He was responsible. He was known for his maturity and integrity.

He liked kids. He was the oldest child. He was a great big brother. His siblings looked up to him. He had the qualities of a great dad.

"How will you know when you have found the 'one'?" She asked. "I have no idea. I like you. I like the person you are. You are a godly woman. I would explore a relationship with you. " he said. He had let the cat off the bag. Pandora's box had been opened and could never be closed.

"Well, I am open to that." She said. "Excellent," he said. "Was this your idea or was this your parent's?" She asked. "My dad suggested it. The thought had crossed my mind," he said.

She was concerned that this was his parent's idea not his. She feared that he was not this on his own. She adored his parents. She respected him. He had a good reputation. He had a solid work ethic.

"Is that an issue?" He asked. "No, it's not. I did want to know. I was curious. " she said "of course. " he said.

She wondered would be semi platonic? Could she give him her heart? Would this be a business arrangement? Would this be an exchange? He provides for her financially and she would cook, clean for him? Was such an arrangement biblically feasible? Would he be ok with that?

She started to think he had a romantic side. He seemed to want a fairly tail like Mariege. She was not sure she could provide that. Would he be ok if it was one-sided? Could her heart be healed enough that she could fall in love with him?

"Do you want to pursue a relationship with me?" He asked. "I am open to that. I am fine with exploring a relationship with you. You know I am a package deal. We're we to get maried, you would go from no kids to. four. are you ok with that?" Sue asked. "Yes, I am ok with that. I love. kids. I like your kids. I am aware that you are a package deal." He said.

"Good. I figured you did understand that but I wanted to make sure," she said. "Of course," he said.

"So would you like to? go out for dinner?" He asked. "Yes, I would. My sister has begged me to get out. I think she will watch the kids for me. I would like that." She said."how about next Thursday?" he asked. "Sounds great. I like that idea," she said. "I do too," he said.

"I got. to don't mine. eyes and cross my t's. I will get back.to.you. we are on tentatively for Thursday." She said."great. Sounds good." he told her.

She had a date. She could not believe it. She was scared but was also excited too. She thought that this was a good thing. She came to think that this was part of the lord's provision for her. She was nervous. She was ready to step out and begin this journey.

Next up

Matt and Jen go on a date.