Читать книгу Faithful Sexuality - Gary L. Grafwallner - Страница 11

A professional woman who lives in another state usually stops for an overnight stay at our house on her way to visit her parents in British Columbia. She is in her forties, a practicing Christian who has never married. She has been very involved in her local congregation and its ministry in the community. This year during her visit I inquired if I could ask her a personal question based on our long years of friendship. “Sure,” she replied.

“How do you deal with your sexual needs as a single Christian woman?”

She blushed and I assured her she could pass on the question. Then she braced herself and said the following, “I don’t date a lot. My friends help. Actually, my friends are amazing. Anyone would want them as friends. We do all sorts of things together: picnics in the park, progressive dinners, birthday parties, bike trips, backpacking trips, camping trips. Now and then we go to a play or the ballet. Sometimes we’ll visit a museum or listen to a jazz group. We go for walks at the lake. We may eat popcorn and watch a video. I enjoy my friends so much.”

“Are these friends all single?”

“No, some of them are married. Several have children, but these are usually adult outings. She continued, “I miss being married. I know some people who will marry a strange guy and those of us who know her through work or socially can’t believe it. Just to legalize having sex or own property? It’s not worth it. We’re talking about messing up my life. I like my life.”

She smiled and I said, “Thanks.” the conversation changed to another subject.