How Inappropriate!

Tash was all fired up with his trademark zeal. He had arrived, a long journey in his wheels, but he had reached the Town of the Littles. That is what his new boss and mentor had told him this medium small town was. Tash had listened to Pastor Rowan's urging, and taken this opportunity to become the Youth Pastor. It must be a central focus of God's plan for him, to venture away from his sheltered comfortable middle-class existence.

Being Gen Z and proud of it, Tash was navigating his trip with his GPS. He drove past the welcome sign and the large noticeboard. It read, "Winner, Tidy Town of the Year." He observed the well ordered streets, with no graffiti, lots of manicured rose beds and trimmed lawns.

"Yes, looks very tidy. I hope my first role in His ministry will fulfil my dreams."

He found Pastor Rowan's dwelling. There he was to have a late lunch, and then settle into his new home, in a semi-detached apartment, right next to the church.

Pastor Rowan had a wife and two polite sons. He was a family man. Tash had never even ventured into a steady relationship. He had always had his eyes fixed firmly on Jesus, and just knew that a suitable Christian woman would present herself. Tash bonded with the younger lads, so he took this as a good sign. He was young himself, so he figured that would make him relate to the youth of this Tidy Town better than some older preachers.

He realised he was a square, who liked conformity. Despite this, he was aware that people could be nowhere near as tidy as their environment. Pastor Rowan had told him, "Take care of the Ministry, and yourself. I can imagine you shall be more than popular with the women in our community. You must be on your guard. Women!"

Tash unpacked his gear, after enjoying his first meal in this small town. He decided the best way to get his bearings in this town of law and order, was to pop on his jogging gear, and go for a run. His ambition to recruit more followers to the future of his church, was to take an active interest in their energetic track and field programs at the local secondary college. He also had plans to establish a fitness club for housewive, with a creche for young mothers.

Tash's ideas to make the church a living, accessible group were soon underway. Many of the teens at the school joined up with the Youth Group. There they could meet and greet, and take up where their childhood Sunday School left off. After their Monday night meetings, Pastor Rowan and Tash would drive the teens to the local burger franchise in the centre of this tidy, little old town,

There Tash's order of a burger and fries was supplied by a lively young waitress, whose hand touched his.

"Hi, Pastor Tash. I've seen you at Sunday service." Her name tag said, "Emma." Her hair was all wavy auburn, with highlights. Her eyes were bright blue, and her brilliant smile was welcoming. Tash immediately felt connected to her bouncy personality, and stared in sudden longing as Emma wiggled away. She was well endowed.

Pastor Rowan said quietly, "That one is trouble. She is only fifteen, but very mature for her age. Tread carefully there, can't have any kind of scandal."

"Why is she trouble?" Tash managed to ask, keen to learn about such a beauty.

"She is the youngest of five children, with four older, loudmouth brothers. All from the wrong side of town. They're over there in their leather jackets, bikers. Rough and ready to protect her. So be warned!"

Pastor Rowan was being preachy. But Tash had been struck by his first love. He was not going to confess this feeling of attraction, and how much that simple hand touch had affected his maleness.

Still, nothing happened. All he said was, " No dramas here, I toe the line. Fifteen is too young. I don't blame her brothers for wanting to treasure her. "

Somehow, the next Monday night, Emma joined the Youth Group. She worked most days at the burger store, but still managed to appear at some of the women's fitness groups. Anywhere Tash was, there was Emma. Tash was kind of aware that underage Emma was infatuated, so he did nothing to encourage her. Undeterred, Emma volunteered to be a Sunday School assistant, asking eager questions about material and resources to guide the little dudes to follow Jesus.

Then Emma followed Tash to his tiny office, where he was locating some books and colouring sheets for children. Emma stood up close and personal, touched his hand again, whispering, "Do you think I'm attractive?" Fully jailbait, she ran her tongue over her ripe lips, and smiled so sweetly.

Tash experienced quite a tingle from her tender hand, but mutttered, "This is entirely inappropriate. This is God's house. Come along back to the group. You are very pretty, but I am too old for you. Let time take care of your puppy love. God bless us both here. I shall offer prayers for you."

Emma flounced off, slightly huffily. She left behind a trail of her overscented, powerful perfume. Tash was a male conflicted by his not so tidy yearnings. That night, he found himself torn in dreams of kissing Emma .His sheets wound around him, he had never known such desire. He wondered if he suddenly needed a brain monitor.

"How inappropriate," he told himself in the morning light. He prayed for understanding and path ahead, and did much early morning jogging in the days and weeks that followed. He did avoid jogging past some of the wrong side of the train tracks where Emma lived. Her four brothers were a fearsome lot.

Time did flow smoothly, Emma kept up with her job and attending worship opportunities. She kept smiling and serving burgers. Despite her tough background, Tash could appreciate her good, kind and generous nature. Even Pastor Rowan had mellowed a lot, as he told Tash that Emma had impressed him.

By now, Tash was a well accepted Youth Pastor, and motivator of the ministry, his vocation. He was Emma's secret admirer, especially now she was that much older. Her passion for Tash was persistent. She even studied at night school, and saved up enough money to do classes to become a nursing attendant. One evening, she once again cornered Tash by himself, and asked, "Have you ever gone on a date? I'm free if you want to catch movie..."

Tash closed his eyes for a moment, then agreed. "Why not? We can take one of your brothers if you wish."

Emma did not look that fussed about taking her family with her, but it was sensible. Tash thought this was Kismet, and love bloomed where they were both planted, somewhere in that tidy old town. Tash did marry Emma in a holy wedlock, and treasured deep contentment, always glad he had stayed strong and focused on true Christian love. A tale still fully untold, it was yet to unfold. Tash married his one. Finally, his devotion to love became appropriate.......