The Pastor's Wife by Jennifer Allee

work to do. He couldn’t let himself be distracted by the shambles of his personal life. It was time to focus on the Lord and ministering to His people. Nick took a deep breath. No matter what I say or do, let them hear and see you, Lord.
     

     
    Maura stood in the back of the sanctuary, wondering again how she’d let Lainie talk her into this. She’d been attending the youth group meetings for the last three weeks and even looked forward to them. But then Lainie had come up with the idea of having Maura help during the Sunday service.
    “It would be so great,” she’d said while bouncing on the balls of her feet and sending her ponytail swinging. “I’m always looking for new ways to get the point across, and drama is perfect. You could lead the kids through some skits.”
    Maura resisted at first, but Lainie persisted. “Look at it this way, if you’re going to teach drama classes at your theatre, what better way to get the kids interested? Give them a little taste of it now.”
    She had a point. Besides, if Maura worked with the kids, she wouldn’t have to talk to the rest of the congregation. She could just slip in and slip out. That way, she could avoid actually attending the service.
    Lainie had neglected to tell her that the youth group stayed in the church for the beginning of the service and worshiped with the congregation before leaving for their own study time.
    From her spot by the wall, Maura watched the sanctuary fill up. Wanting to snag a seat in the back before they were gone, Maura slipped into a pew, trying not to attract any attention. She looked down at her lap, pretending to read the bulletin inher hands, only to avoid making eye contact with anyone. Her eyes grew wide when she saw the monthly church calendar printed on the back. Almost every day had some event, meeting, or class inked in. And Nick probably attended every one of them.
    Maura looked up at the front of the church. As clearly as if it was happening at that very moment, she remembered the day Nick was installed as senior pastor. He knelt before the altar, surrounded by the church elders. They reached out, their hands touching his shoulders, back, head, wherever they could find a spot. They prayed to impart a blessing, but to Maura, it meant something else. From the moment she and Nick arrived in Granger, someone was always reaching out for him, grabbing him, needing his time, his prayer, his attention. As the prayers continued up front, the people sitting in the pews around Maura reached out, laying their hands on her. And in that moment, she knew they wouldn’t stop at Nick. As the pastor's wife, they were already reaching out for her too.
    A hand fell on her shoulder. Maura jumped and her shoulders tightened as she turned to see who stood behind her. She whooshed out a sigh of relief as Rachel slid into the pew beside her.
    “I had to look twice to make sure it was you.” Rachel took her hand and squeezed it. “It's so good to see you here.”
    “Thanks. Where are Derrick and the kids?”
    “They’re sitting up there.” She wiggled her finger toward the front of the church.
    Maura shifted in her seat, not liking the idea of splitting up a family. “Wouldn’t you rather sit with them?”
    “No, I sit with them every Sunday. It's been too long since I had the chance to worship with you.”
    Maura didn’t know what to say. In some weird way, it felt good to be back in a church with a friend sitting next to her.Kind of like putting on a pair of unstylish, but remarkably comfortable shoes. She didn’t want to like it, but part of her did. Thankfully, the band began to play, so she didn’t have to think about it. The congregation rose to its feet to sing a lively song of praise. It was one Maura hadn’t heard before, but she followed along as best she could.
    After another upbeat number, the music slowed, becoming sweet and contemplative. This one, Maura knew. The song asked God for more of His love, more of His power.