“Father God, forgive me for I’ve sinned against you, my wife, and your people. My lust has set up a chain of events that have spiraled out of control. I need you to direct my steps, oh Lord. I confess I got too cocky. I thought I was untouchable. I thought my years of studying your Word would keep the enemy at bay.
“When the enemy attacked, I fell like an amateur, and I’m supposed to be mature in my walk with you, Lord. Show me where I went wrong so that I will not faint or falter the next time he attempts to attack me.”
Samson was in deep prayer and meditation in the den and didn’t know Julia was in the room until she touched him, alerting him to her presence. “Baby, I can tell something has been bothering you. If you want to talk, I’m here,” Julia assured him.
“I appreciate it, but this is something the Lord has to handle.”
“If you’re this distraught about selling the church land, then maybe you shouldn’t do it.”
Samson remained silent while Julia massaged his shoulders. Tension in his body disappeared. “You always seem to know what I need when I need it.”
“I’m in tune with my man.”
Later on that night, the two discussed the state of their relationship. “Julia, thank you for sticking by me through the down period.”
“I apologize if I made you feel pressured to consummate our marriage, but I wasn’t expecting us to have those types of problems so early in our marriage. It made me feel less than a woman,” Julia admitted.
“I didn’t know that.” If Samson hadn’t been so wrapped up in his own issues and lusting after Delilah, he would have known how their not being intimate affected his wife. He faulted himself for neglecting her in more ways than one. Samson cradled his wife in his arms as they slept.
Samson enjoyed the peace within his home and at church. As soon as Calvin assured him that the church land had been sold and he had William out of his hair, he would feel a whole lot better.
Calvin had been able to put off William and his attorneys until the board meeting. Less than two weeks after his pastor’s anniversary, the board met for an emergency meeting.
Samson gave them the same speech he’d given Calvin two weeks before. “As you can tell from the paper Elaine passed out, we’ll get three times more than what the land is worth.” Samson made sure he held eye contact with each board member.
“If they want it that bad, ask them for $4 million, and they have a deal,” Michael said.
Some of the other board members agreed. Calvin was writing down notes. “I’ll make the amendment.”
The chairman of the board called for a vote. Seventy-five percent of the board voted to sell the land. After the meeting, Calvin said, “I’ll review the papers from Trusts Enterprise one last time and then get the appropriate signatures. I’m sure as much as they wanted this land, they won’t have a problem paying the $4 million.”
“That’s more than enough to get the community center built,” Michael said.
“I agree,” Samson said. “Thank you all for supporting it.”
One of the elderly deacons said, “Samson, I wasn’t too sure about your pastoring us at your young age, but now I see you were the best man for the job. I’m glad I listened to the Holy Spirit and voted you in.”
Samson shook his hand. “I’m glad you did too, Papa Ray.”
“Do you want me to call William or will you do the honors?” Calvin asked Samson.
“Let me be the one.”
Once the room cleared, Samson called William. “The board approved it. Calvin will be bringing over the paperwork next week. You should be happy; you got what you wanted.”
“Samson, you did the right thing. One piece of advice before I go—if I were you, I wouldn’t worry about Delilah. Concentrate on your wife and let Delilah take care of herself.”
Their call ended. Samson wondered if Delilah told him about their last encounter. He had no intentions of sleeping with her again; he only wanted to apologize for manhandling her. Little did he know they would end up in bed together. The tension between them excited him so much it made him block out everything else. He didn’t come to his senses until after the fact.
He wanted her to find another church home. It was selfish, he knew. It would make his life so much easier. William would now be out of his hair; if only he could get Delilah to see that moving her membership would benefit them both, then he would be able to rest. Right now his soul was in turmoil wondering if or when Delilah would try to drop the bombshell about their indiscretions.
Samson didn’t like anyone having this much control over his life. Mission: Get Rid of Delilah was in full effect. He stomped one devil and now had to deal with another one—Delilah.