Christy Fulton has had it. The wife of a pastor, she wants to walk out of her faith and away from her overworked husband, Sam. Over the years, she has grown to resent Sam for walking away from his true calling and not spending enough time with her and their children, Amy and Tyler.

 

Sam, on the other hand, finds true comfort in being immersed in church ministries, and he doesn’t understand why Christy is questioning his calling. Their relationship turns bitter when Christy’s flirtatious and handsome coworker, Tim Macalister, walks into her life. She finds herself standing alone in the crossroads of her life wondering if she should choose her lover over her husband. Will Christy pursue this newly found love or embrace her marriage wows once again?

TROUBLE BREWING AT HOME During the last week of summer vacation for the kids, Christy was exhausted from preparing them for the new school year and getting their supplies ready. “Oh, it’s Sunday already,” Christy mumbled to herself as they got ready for church. Christy didn’t feel any enthusiasm about going to church that day. She had been struggling with all the unanswered questions about the love of God. Her husband could see how restless she had become over the past couple of months. She used to be so enthusiastic about the children's ministry, but now it seemed like she couldn’t wait to get done with all the church activities. On the way home from church, Sam asked calmly, “Is there something you want to talk to me about, Christy?" “Why? Why do you ask, Sam?” Christy hastily replied. “Just asking. Since I can tell you don't like coming to church anymore,” Sam responded, unsure of how Christy would react. “You are right, to tell you the truth, I am tired of listening to sermons on the different steps to be happy or have a victorious life. I don't feel any connection with any church member; they are all superficial, pretending to be a bunch of self-righteous saints. I really feel uncomfortable serving with those modern-day Pharisees. They talk to me when they are in need, but don't dare to call or stop me to see how I am doing. Sam was not shocked to hear that statement from Christy. He wasn’t really comfortable with many of the sermons about what people want to hear as opposed to what they need to hear. “You might be right, Christy, but we are called to be followers of Christ, fixing our eyes on him, not on the people. We cannot judge anyone, as we don’t know what they are going through. We have to love everyone as Christ loves us, and that includes those people you were just talking about.” Sam could see that Christy was hardly paying any attention to him as she tried to tune the radio. But he continued anyway. “For the time being, I know God has placed us here for a reason. I strongly believe this is our transition period where we have to wait patiently in the Lord. I too am waiting to be a part of believers where the core of the doctrine is Christ’s redemption and salvation. I believe God has great plans for our future. I don't think I did M. Div to work as a struggling Assistant Pastor. Let’s just hope for the best." “Are you really sure this is God's will for you to stay in this Church?” Christy glanced through the car window in deep thought, she softly whispered- “I really miss Pastor Billy's Church. I felt like a family there. Sam, why didn't you want to stay there?” “Christy, are you blaming me for taking the move to this position? You know how we are struggling with our finances when we were there. We are doing OK now, and please don't forget that if it wasn't for Pastor Reggie, you wouldn’t have had any job." Christy took her eye off the outside ambiance and looked at Sam with tears rolling down her eyes- “You had dreams before to serve the Lord, not just to get stuck in activities. You don't involve me in anything and I won't know your next step until you make one.” "Christy don't go over that again, we had been through this discussion before. You said that you were okay with taking care of the kids while I made rest of the decisions." "What about Lori, does she come in one of your activities?" “Christy, that's enough I said." Christy never saw Sam so furious before. “What am I supposed to think Sam? You are hardly home and when I come to visit you at Church, I see Lori flirting with you." “Don’t read between the lines, you know that there is nothing going between us, it’s your vain imaginations." “Yea, I am just crazy, rest of you are just perfect. You are right there is no point of arguing anymore." “I am too tired of your constant nagging and don't know how to fix our issues with Lori." Sam felt too overwhelmed to work on their problem, Maybe it’s just a phase, she will get over it. Sam pulled up to their driveway and said with frustration “I will see you guys in the evening". He didn’t want to ruin the rest of the day arguing with Christy. “Aren’t you coming in to have some lunch?” “No I am not hungry besides I promised to be there to assist in counseling and prayers.” “Sure Sam, others come first before the family. We would also like to see a compassionate Sam that people brag about it.” “Later Christy.” Sam pulled the car away from them and left them in the driveway without saying a word. Christy tried to keep her poise so the neighbors won’t see them fighting. She could tell from the kid’s eyes that they were startled with their yelling. “Let’s go inside children” As they reached inside, she lovingly embraced and assured them everything was okay. “How come dad doesn’t spend time with us? Amy asked with her pouting lips. “ I guess he has more important things to do than us” Christy tried not to belittle her husband but it was getting harder day by day and she thought to herself, Maybe someday he realizes that we are his family and we need him too. “Guys how about this? We make quick sandwiches for lunch and then either we can go out for movies or bake some cookies. What do you say; we can have our own fun?” “Bake cookies, Mom you are the best” She can’t believe how quickly kids can forget and find happiness in small deeds. Even with the kids right beside her, she feels deserted. I don’t know how long I can do this. I need to move on with my life.

Shiby John is a chemist in the Naperville, Illinois, area. She lives in a western suburb of Chicago with her husband and two daughters. This is her debut book.