The Perils of Pastor Paris Pearson

At long last the sojourning Pearson family found their way down country roads driving past a patch work quilt of farmland and rural pastureland to finally arrive at the land of promise; Rock Solid Community Church. It was a beautiful little brick church that sat atop a ridge that had been leveled off to accommodate the sanctuary, fellowship hall, and parking lot. The church property was bordered by a generous supply of blue spruce, and pine trees; providing an authentic early pioneer ambience. The mountains in the distance further provided a picture of the perfect Sunday morning bulletin cover. Paris was immediately smitten with the internal affirmation that this indeed was his destiny. His mind raced back to the story of Moses and how Moses had endured great hardship in order to reach Canaan. He felt a real sense of kinship with Moses right up until the time he remembered that Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. He immediately changed his mind in order to tell himself that now he knew what Abraham must have felt like. I will now enter into the promises of God because of my trust in God and His plan.
“What time is it Becky?” Paris knew that he had better be on time for this most important engagement.
“We're fine honey, it's only 10:20. We have plenty of time to walk to the church from the parking lot.”
“Does that include our last-minute check of the kids?”
“The kids are fine honey. We looked them over before they got in the car.”
“Yes, we did, but there's a lot that can happen in a twenty-minute car ride with our kids. You do remember our last trip to your folks house. Right? That was only a 10-minute car ride.” Paris shivered as he recalled that nightmare.
“Paris, that was actually more my fault than the kids. I told them they could have a snack but I had no idea that they would smuggle those cherry popsicles in their pockets for the ride to mom and dad's.” Paris maneuvered the minivan ever so slowly into the appropriate visitor parking space. He toyed with the idea of parking in the Pastor's vacant parking space but quickly regained his momentary loss of sanity.
"All right kiddoes, let's line up right here and let daddy have a good look at you." Sean and Sarah rolled out of the car and the kids obediently formed an impromptu inspection line in the parking lot. Paris inspected Sean and Sarah with the same intensity that a General would review his troops on the eve of a great battle.
"Is this really necessary Paris?” Becky shook her head in amazement.
"Honey, it's important that we put our best foot forward. After all,”
"I know, I know, we only get one chance to make a good first impression." Becky chimed in mechanically.
"That's exactly right!" Paris dismissed the troops after he had reassured himself that they were indeed prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. He knew that they would be under the microscope for the next two hours, and he was confident that the Pearson family was up for the challenge.