Dear Pastor,

I would like to start by commending you on the great work you have been doing. I have been living with my aunt for the last 10 years. One morning my aunt started accusing me of stealing her money. She claims to be a Christian, yet she started to curse at me saying, I stole her money and her man. I said nothing disrespectful to her in response. The only comment I made was that I did not take her money. Days went by and the only thing we would say to each other was good morning. When I would come home from school, I would say good evening.

get out

One morning, while in my room, she came in and asked why I was not speaking to her in her own house. I did not reply. She got upset and told me to get out of her house and go to my mom. I called my mom. She sent my brother for me, I left her house. My mother lives in Negril and I am attending school in Trelawny. It is costly for me to travel back and forth from Negril to Trelawny. I spoke with a friend of mine about staying with her in Montego Bay with hopes of making my commute to and from school easier. She said yes. I only had one subject to take in exams, so the stay there would not have be long.

One day my phone rang and when I answered it was my aunt. I do love her, so I answered. She told me to come back and live with her. I told her I was staying with a friend and when I was through with my exams I would go back to my mom's. I told my mom she called and I told her what she had said. My mother has said nothing to me.

I would love to know what to do. My aunt keeps calling my phone, asking me to come back to the house. What should I do? I don't know if I should go back and let her accuse me of stealing anything again, or, if I stay at my aunt's house on weekdays, if I would go to my mother on weekends.

I love my mom and I love it where she is but I love my aunt very much also, and she wants me to come back. Should I go? How do I know that I will not go through the same ordeal with my aunt again?

S.A., Westmoreland, Jamaica

Dear S.A.,

Your aunt did not only accuse you of stealing her money, she did not treat you with loving kindness. She also accused you of stealing her husband. Now, that accusation is worse than the accusation of stealing her money. Therefore, I would say to you, as much as you love your aunt, don't go back to live at her house.

Whenever she calls, be very respectful. Always bear in mind that your aunt does not trust you. So, unless you meet with her at family gatherings, etc., don't have much to do with her.

Pastor