Been There Prayed That (9781622860845) by E.n. Joy Page A

pleasant time.
    At first, Mother Doreen had studied his actions closely. She wanted to see if he acted funny with Bethany having dinner with her husband a mere few tables away. She studied his eyes closely, figuring she would find them wandering off to observe Bethany and her family, but they never did. His eyes, instead, stayed steady on Mother Doreen as he held conversation with her. She looked for all the tell-tale signs; his looking downward, over her shoulder, at her chin, doing anything at all cost to keep from looking her in the eyes for fear she’d see right through him. But again, none of that happened. Not once did he seem distracted from his mission at hand, his assignment from his superior to share with her the different ministries at Living Word and where she might be able to assist.
    Pastor Frey wasn’t the only one doing the talking over dinner. Mother Doreen had found herself sharing information about her ministries back at New Day Temple of Faith, including the Single’s Ministry.
    â€œWe don’t have a Single’s Ministry here at Living Word,” Pastor Frey had informed her. “Perhaps that’s something you could lay the foundation for while you are here,” he suggested.
    â€œWell, it was fairly new, too new to really see whether or not the vision, mission, and bylaws we had set up were actually effective,” Mother Doreen replied in between bites of her French Onion Soup. “Anyway, I need to call back to Ohio and get with the new leader that was left in charge to see how things are going. Prayerfully the ministry is growing.”
    â€œOh, if you planted the seed ordained by God, I’m sure He’s watering and doing a wonderful work with it indeed. Which is why you should maybe pray that God would have you do the same for Living Word.”
    â€œHmmm.” Mother Doreen’s spoon rested over her soup. “You might be right, Pastor Frey.” And she didn’t even stutter when agreeing with the man. “I never thought of that. I guess God could have some other work for me lined up down here besides watching out for—” Mother Doreen halted her words, and then quickly shoved a spoonful of soup in her mouth. She couldn’t believe she’d almost said what she was about to say, that God had something for her to do in Kentucky other than watch his sneaky behind. “Anyway, I’ll pray on it.”
    â€œThat’s all we can ask.” Pastor Frey smiled and winked. The smile was charming to Mother Doreen. The wink made her blush, only she didn’t realize that she was blushing. But Pastor Frey noticed.
    â€œSo I hope you don’t mind me asking, but with God putting it into your spirit to start a Single’s Ministry, can I assume that you are single and in the market for a husband?”
    â€œI wouldn’t go as far as to say that. I mean, I am single, but in the market for a husband? I mean, I follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. Whatever God has for me, I want it. But I can’t honestly say starting that ministry had anything to do with me wanting to find a husband. After all, any man God sent my way would have big shoes to follow after my Willie.” She looked up. “God rest my Willie’s soul.” She drew an invisible cross across her heart with her index finger, and then continued. “He was a mighty fine husband indeed. Flaws and all.” A light bulb went off in Mother Doreen’s head as the breeze from the door of opportunity swiftly opened and brushed across her face. “So tell me, Pastor Frey, have you ever been married?”
    â€œOnce or twice,” he winked. Mother Doreen kept a steady face that made Pastor Frey change his mind about the smile that was going to follow the wink. He cleared his throat and got serious. “I’m once divorced, once widowed. My first marriage, I was young and fresh out of high school. Trying to be too big for my britches. We never