Dear Pastor,

I am a regular reader of your column. I like the way you answer questions and deal with people's problems. That is the reason why I am writing to you, to let you solve mine.

I am a 25-year-old woman. I have one child, but not living with me. I gave him to his father when he was a year old.

His father and I were not getting along. Because of the child, he used to come to my house anytime he felt like. When I objected, he told me I can't stop him from visiting his child.

He tried to have sex with me many times after I had his baby. I told him I did not want to continue the relationship.

One Saturday, I went to pick up the clothes I had on the line. It was dewing. I did not want the clothes to get wet. He suddenly appeared. When I was going into the house, it was raining. He came in behind me. My baby was sleeping.

He started to flirt with me, asking me for sex. I said no. He tried to unbutton my blouse. I fought him off.

The phone rang. It was one of my brothers. He heard me crying. I told him my child's father was there, asking me for sex, and tried to rape me.

My brother told me to put him on the phone. He told him some bad words. He said I was lying. He said he had to come look for me and found me in bed with another man, which was what caused the argument.

My brother told me to report him to the police, but I did not want him to get arrested. I told him to take the child and go. He left without the child, but came back for him the following week. I can see my child anytime I want. His mother is taking very good care of him.

G.F.

Dear G.F.

Perhaps time will prove you were correct in giving the child to his father. He was using the child as an excuse to come to your house anytime he felt like doing so. You didn't care to have a relationship with him anymore, but he was not taking no for an answer. I hope you are prepared to take back your child any time, if you feel like doing so.

Pastor