Boyfriend wants me to move in with him

Dear Pastor,

I am 21 years old and I have a boyfriend. He is 24. I am still living at home. Right now I am going to university.

Relatives on my father's side of the family are helping me. They bought a computer for me. All my boyfriend wants is for me to leave home and come and live with him. I am not leaving my parents. Ever since I was growing up, I told myself that I would not go to live with a man unless we are married.

My parents are married. But my boyfriend's parents are not married and he doesn't see anything wrong with that. I grew up in a Christian home. The first night that I slept out, I lied to my parents that I stayed with my best friend. I love my boyfriend, but he is pressuring me too much to come and live with him. Do you think that I should end the relationship if he continues to pressure me?

C.T.

Dear C.T.,

I would advise you not to leave your parents' home to go and live with this man. Remain at home, concentrate on your college work and get your degree. You seem to have come from a very orderly family. They mean you well and they wish you well. I don't mean to imply that because your boyfriend's parents are not married that he is not from a good family. But you knew that from you were a child, you were taught that a man should marry his woman and then have children and these children should be taught to serve the Lord. Hold on to what you were taught, don't change.

When you are older, if this man refuses to marry you, then you should consider leaving him. Take good care of yourself.

Pastor