Dear Pastor,

I am 50 years and my wife is 53. We have been married for 20 years. We have four children. I am a negro but my wife is of another race. These people have never liked me, but I have done well. I have never had to beg them for anything. My wife has a sister who was not well and we took her to stay with us.

Her husband offered to give us some money, but poor fellow, he cannot manage. I told my wife not to take money from any of them. We nursed this woman back to her full strength and she has not been ungrateful. She thanks me all the time for allowing her to live in our house. She brings us gifts, vegetables from her garden, etc.

She has even caused a little jealousy with my wife because she said jokingly one day that she would love to be my wife. My wife was very upset and told her she wants to take me away. She quickly said it was a joke, but my wife told her that she doesn't run those types of jokes. Now, I have to be very careful whenever my sister-in-law comes to the house. I don't even talk to her alone. Pastor, I have never had any bad intentions towards her.

Since we have done this good deed for my wife's sister, all her relatives are very nice to me. So, you see, it doesn't matter what people think about you, what is important is the life you live.

P.I.

Dear P.I.,

I am glad that you were able to accommodate your sister-in-law in your home and assist in caring for her during her illness. I am glad she has been healed and enjoys good health. You have proven to your wife's relatives that a person should not be judged by his/her skin colour or race but by his/her character.

Your wife should not be upset because her sister said she would gladly have you as her husband. She meant no harm. On the other hand, it is better for your wife to express outrage at what was said than to hold grudge against her sister.

Pastor