Cheated on my boyfriend with a taxi man

Dear Pastor,

I am 23 years old and I have a problem. I have a boyfriend and we have been together for two years. He went away but before he left, he promised that he would always send me money to take care of my bills.

He sent money three times. He warned me not to get involved with any man and I told him that I wouldn't. I am going to school so I am not working. I have bills to pay.

This man did not keep his word. So when my bills started to pile up on me, I had to do something. I got involved with a taxi man who helped me out a lot. He told me he had a babymother, but I told him that I didn't care about that as long as he could give me some help. I would be grateful. I told him about my boyfriend and that when my boyfriend is coming back, our relationship would have to cease. He said he would work with that.

This man gave me money every week and he dropped me home from school. I couldn't desire better. I took out a new SIM card and only use that to talk to him. My boyfriend doesn't know this number. After we talk, I remove the card. My boyfriend started to send me money again. He told me that he was having some problems. I did not fuss with him. But he kept asking me if I have been faithful to him and I told him yes.

When my boyfriend came home, I did not break up with my taxi man right away. Someone told him that I was with a taxi man and I told him they were telling lies on me. He took his grandmother's Bible and asked me to put my hand on it and swear that I was talking the truth. I did not want to do so because I knew that it was wrong to swear. Eventually I did it and the argument stopped for a while. My taxi friend didn't come around anymore.

I am not a bad girl, I was only in need and didn't know what to do. That's why I became friendly with another man.

N.E.

Dear N.E.,

You will always remember that your boyfriend did not keep his word and that the taxi man came to your rescue, so to speak, and took care of you.

But you will also remember that you swore on the Bible that you never had another man while your boyfriend was away. The little affair you had is evidently bothering you. However, you should pray about that.

I hope that you will not find yourself in any similar situation where you will be tempted to look for another man. Be careful what you do. I am not here to condemn you. I am just sorry to hear that you had to find such a scheme to support yourself. It would have been better if you had found a job and worked part-time to support yourself. If you had done so, your conscience would be free. So look around for a part-time job. I wish you well.

Pastor