My guest today, Penny Isaac Nelson, speaks candidly about an affair she had with an older, married man when she was in her 30’s. Now 52, she has been happily married for 10-years, volunteers for the church ministry and creates a video series, Focus Forward, which assists women in finding a work/life balance. Her advice to everyone is “There is value in being single.”

Record the Past as a Present For Your Child

Both Penny and I were the caregivers of elderly parents who have since passed on. We both agree that the things we appreciate most in this world are the recordings and journals our parents left for us. Penny still hits replay on a voicemail of her mother, and in a previous podcast I helped fulfill my mother’s dream of having her story published by reading it to my audience. If you have an elderly parent I highly recommend making a video journal of them telling their stories.

A 5-Year Tryst

Penny met her older lover at work. They were teachers in the same district. Their first date was something they both had in common - passion for riding a motorcycles. It was only after their second date that the man told her he was married, but that the relationship was failing and a divorce was inevitable. Penny knew she had a decision to make.

Penny started bringing him to family events, and once she went fishing with one of his 5 children. Everyone in her family loved him, especially Penny’s mother. And, even though their relationship lived in limbo, she had hopes one day of them being married.

Trust Issues

Penny knows now that she has been forgiven for what she has done as God called her back to serve him. She felt compelled to share her story with her church singles group in which her current husband was part of. She thought it was better that he know than to have it hidden. It was during this confession that Penny realized that even though God had forgiven her, she had never forgiven herself.

Penny says that being single is better than being with the wrong person. And, there is value in being single.

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