Dear Helcat –

You raise a valid point and I received it happily and with a clear mind. My situation is a little complicated. I am a lower ranking minister in my religious community, which is somewhat conservative. When I was widowed, the rules state that I will be removed from ministry if I remarry. I have been doing ministry for more than twenty-five years and was considering taking the next step up when she died. Remarrying or cohabitating means giving up the ministry. A lot of people in our community don’t like this rule, but it’s not the kind of battle you can win. I’m trying to take it all as it comes. I do realize I might feel differently later, and if I do, I think I will have the courage to say that I ministered for several decades and can move on with dignity. I have another source of primary income, so I’m not financially dependent on it. Right now, there is so much on my plate in between single parenting and managing the job I have (there are serious issues at my workplace) that being still sounds very good to me.

What you say definitely makes sense and I am going to try to remain open to all good things, in as much as that is possible.

Gratefully,

omyk