Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Suddenly, a chirpy voice interrupts.
“Do something about what?”
I startle a little at the sound of Annie. The petite woman probably means well, but Annie is a bit annoying and I manage only a semi-smile. She asks a lot of the same question over and over, even if we’ve already answered in detail. I don’t know if it’s an excuse to talk to us, or maybe she really does need us to re-explain things because something’s off in her head.
Even worse, sometimes she can get rather aggressive when confronting us. I’ve never understood why since we’re always open to critique.
“Pastor MacKinnon, Pastor Vanderbilt, I loved the sermon today,” she begins.
“Thank you, Annie. I really appreciate that.” I cringe internally, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“I actually had some questions.”
“Of course, ask away.”
“Well, I’m confused about the story of Jacob and his wives.” I did use that story in my sermon today, but it wasn’t the main crux of my speech. People really seem to be latching on to it this week, though. What gives? I manage a friendly smile.
“What are you confused by?”
“Well, Jacob was married to Rachel, right?” I nod. “And, when she couldn’t have children, Rachel gave him her handmaid Bilhah, so that he could have children in another way. But doesn’t that fall under adultery since Jacob was already committed to Rachel?” I don’t want to come off as annoyed because this is a genuine question, but seriously, sometimes I feel like I’m living in that movie Groundhog Day. Everyone talks about this story, and I do my best to remain patient.
“It’s more complex than that.”
Annie frowns.
“In what way? Bilhah wasn’t his wife, Rachel was.”
“Well, first, biblical times were very different times. Their social mores are not fully in line with what prevails today. But that’s not really what you need to focus on. What you should focusing on is that fact that there was love between this Biblical family.”
Annie scrunches her nose.
“Love?”
“Yes, love,” I reiterate. “Love is love, and that can’t be denied. I’m sure Jacob loved both Bilhah and Rachel, and both of these women loved him in return. They also loved one another because they saw how together, they could make everyone’s lives better. Both women made sacrifices because they wanted to have a happy and healthy relationship, even if the shape of their family was a bit different. It’s not like anyone went behind the other’s back. They communicated with one another and decided that said arrangement is what worked best for them. Who are we to judge the format in which their love appeared?”
“I still don’t think that Jacob is fully in the clear,” Annie comments snidely. “I mean, please.”
“What makes you say that?” Jason asks, storm clouds gathering. Annie shrugs.
”Well, he made a commitment to his wife in front of God to forsake all others, and he didn’t do that. Just because he was given the opportunity, doesn’t mean he was supposed to take it. He fell to temptation. He’s no better than a regular man, and it seems weird that we hold him to such high esteem.”
Jason smiles a tight smile.
“But he didn’t do anything to betray his wife, and his wife didn’t do anything to betray him. They had mutual respect for one another and were able to find a solution that works for them. What’s wrong with that? It appears unconventional, but then again in those days, this is how people lived their lives. Again, who are we to judge?”
“Well, I could never do something like that,” Annie replies snidely. “It’s just weird, like a circus freak show.”
Jason manages a frigid smile.
“We all live our own lives,” he says in a carefully controlled tone. “And Jacob’s story isn’t a strict blueprint to follow. It’s just a story showing that there may be other ways to exist. Alternative lifestyles, if you will. It’s an exploration of love, one that is wholesome and beautiful, and if the way you express love differs from that of Jacob, Rachel, and Bilhah, that’s more than fine because we all make our own choices. So long as you live in love, Annie, there is no wrong path.”
I can tell Jason wants this conversation to be over, but Annie takes offense at his words.
“Well, then. Sorry, it took me so long to ‘get it’,” she snaps. “Thanks.” Her tone comes out flat as she tosses her hair and flounces away, her high heels clip-clopping on the floor like a pony. I don’t say anything because it’s clear that she’s offended. I don’t know what to do about it, though. She was being a little rude, and it’s tough to handle situations like that.
I look at Jason, and he shrugs.
“I know. I should have been nicer.”
I chuckle, but merely raise my eyebrows. I mean, this is our life. It can be hard working with congregants sometimes because of differences in opinion, but that’s a part of being a pastor. We work through thorny issues and difficult interpretations all the time.