Dear Pastor,

Greetings to you. I am 22 years old and I am currently a mother of two children; one of whom belongs to my boyfriend whom I am living with now. Even though I have ended up in a situation like this, I am a very ambitious individual who would love to go to college and finish my education, so that I can better support my family and myself.

My boyfriend has the resources to send me to college but he fears me getting what I want and leaving him. Honestly, that is exactly what I would do. I know that this might seem ungrateful, but let me tell you what I have faced every day living with this man. He hits me. He abuses me verbally and sexually. This is not a situation that I can just leave, because if I do, all hope for me is lost, as I won't get to go to college and I really need to do it right now. I won't get a chance of ever being independent.

Why don't I just get a job, you may say, but honestly, a minimum wage job just won't do anything for me or my kids in this day and age. I really need to get out of the mess I am in, but I keep telling myself that if I hold on a little longer, I could rack up the money that I need for college.

Do you know of any scholarships being offered to mothers who would like to continue their education or something of that sort? I would be grateful if anyone out there could help me.

Please tell me what you think of my situation and what your recommendation is.

I await your reply.

S.A.,

Dear S.A.,

You are trying to use this man. You claim that he is abusive in every way, but you are prepared to stay with him because you believe that he would pay for you to go to college. This man is reading you like a book. He knows that he does not treat you well, so there must be reasons why you have remained with him.

I am sure that you have told him that you want to go to college. You are not smart. How do you know that this man will ever agree to pay for you to go to college? If he is so abusive, he may break up your bones and you won't be able to attend college. Therefore, you should consider leaving him now while you are able to do so.

I repeat, you are not being smart. You cannot see yourself working for minimum wage. You don't believe in starting at the lowest level. You want big money. You should change your attitude and be willing to work for an honest bread, even if you would be paid minimum wage.

Pastor