Abide: A Christian Romance Novel (The Lewis Legacy Series, Book 7)

by JoAnn Durgin

  As the beginning strains of the first hymn began, Caty rose beside the others. Sitting together with Caleb and Lauren—all of them lined up on the pew together—felt right.

  Chapter 29

  Caleb stumbled through the opening praise choruses.

  Gripping the back of the pew in front of her, Lauren swung back and forth until Caleb placed one hand over hers to still her movements since they weren’t in response to the praise and worship going on at the front of the church. She was so much like he’d been at the same age that he recognized the obvious signs. His mother thought he should have Lauren tested for ADD, but that wasn’t it, and her doctor had agreed. Lauren was highly intelligent, and she became easily bored. His daughter didn’t need medication. She needed to be challenged and mentally stimulated.

  The guy leading worship had a good singing voice, and his guitar playing was equally impressive. Before the service, Eliot told him his name was Kevin Moore, and he was another one of Caty’s brother’s TeamWork volunteers. Seemed a lot of talented, diverse people were in that missions group.

  Like he’d told Caty, he’d heard of TeamWork Missions, but Caleb didn’t know details or how many ministries they were involved in around the country until recently. After their dinner with Eliot and Marta, he’d done some research, enough to discover the scope of TeamWork was worldwide and far-reaching. The missions organization was solid and financially sound, and he’d look into it for future investment purposes.

  As the Domestic Missions Director of TeamWork, Sam Lewis was featured prominently on their website as was Joshua Grant, TeamWork’s general counsel. He’d smiled at the photo of Marta and Eliot in New Mexico on the mission where they’d married. Then he’d read poignant testimonies from a sports advertising agency owner in Boston, the owner of the Leather stores in Texas and Louisiana, and a Christian publisher and an investment banker, both from New York. Considering their wives were also quoted, it would seem TeamWork boasted a number of husband/wife teams.

  The keyboardist began playing “It Is Well With My Soul,” a hymn Caleb knew well. His mother loved it, and it was one of his favorites. Considering the unrest in his soul in his current situation, the irony of this particular hymn did not escape him. The lyrics were printed in the bulletin, and Caleb shared with Lauren as he began to sing.

  He needed to sing this hymn. You always know, don’t you, Lord?

  At the end of the hymn, the musicians effortlessly transitioned into “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.” Kevin’s voice resonated with passion as he led the music. This was a talented man who loved the Lord with everything in him. An inspiration.

  As he sang, Caleb moved his gaze to the large wooden cross mounted on the wall at the front of the sanctuary. An imperfect cross, it was crudely made. A crown of thorns hung where the wood crisscrossed. “…On which the Prince of glory died,” he sang. His eyes unexpectedly grew moist but he pushed on in singing, “My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.”

  Powerful words. Convicting words. The remaining verses talked about pride and how man should boast or glory in the Lord and His sacrifice, not trust in wealth or boast about his own works. As he neared the end of the hymn, Caleb poured more conviction into his singing. “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

  Lauren looked up at him with surprise. She’d rarely heard him sing with such enthusiasm. She didn’t cringe or shrink away from him. The fact that they were together in church was enough of a breakthrough for the day, although he’d started out the morning on his knees at home. His biggest fault as a parent had been sliding into apathy and not taking Lauren to church more after her mother died. That was the time when they both should have been in church.

  But you’re here now. Yes, that was a very good thing.

  “Great singing, everyone!” Kevin strummed a few quiet chords on his guitar. “Now, let’s bow our heads and continue our worship this morning by thanking the Lord for this glorious day He has made.”

  After a few announcements, the pastor strolled across the platform. Charles Baldwin was a middle-aged man, soft-spoken, with a pleasant demeanor. He nodded to the assembled congregation with a welcoming smile. “Morning, folks.”

  Gripping both sides of the podium, he looked out over the congregation. “I’d like to tell you a little more about the first hymn we sang this morning, ‘It Is Well With My Soul.’ The lyrics for that hymn were written by a man named Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. Spafford was the son of a gazetteer author, Horatio Gates Spafford and his wife, Elizabeth Clark Hewitt Spafford. What is a gazetteer, you might ask? I had to look it up myself. A gazetteer is a geographical dictionary or directory that’s used in conjunction with a map or an atlas. It contains information about the geographical makeup, social statistics, and physical features of a country, region, or continent.

  “Young Horatio married Anna Larsen of Norway on September 5, 1861, in Chicago. They were a very well-known couple in 1860s Chicago. He was a prominent lawyer and a senior partner in a large, thriving law firm. They were also prominent supporters and close friends with an American evangelist some of you might have heard of named Dwight L. Moody. The same D.L. Moody who founded several entities including Moody Bible Institute and Moody Publishers.

  “Mr. Spafford had invested in real estate north of an expanding Chicago in the spring of 1871. You might recall that the Great Fire of Chicago reduced the city to ashes in October of that same year. Along with it, the fire destroyed most of Spafford’s sizable investment and ruined him financially.”

  The pastor moved away from the podium and pushed his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “Never a man to be beaten down, Horatio managed to rebound financially. Two years later, in 1873, he decided to take his family on a holiday in Europe. Partly based on the fact that D.L. Moody would be preaching in England that fall, he booked passage for his wife and four daughters on a steamship called the Ville du Havre. Delayed because of business, Mr. Spafford sent his family ahead—Annie, age eleven, Maggie, age nine, Elizabeth, age five, and Tanetta, his youngest at the tender age of two.

  “On November 22, while crossing the Atlantic, the Ville du Havre was struck by an iron sailing vessel. In that horrible event, 226 people lost their lives, including all four of Spafford’s children. Anna survived, and upon her arrival in England, she sent her husband a telegram that has since become very well-known. That telegram simply said, ‘Saved alone.’

  “Several weeks later, as Spafford’s ship passed near that same spot where his daughters had perished, the Holy Spirit inspired those words: ‘When peace like a river, attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.’”

  As the pastor recited the lyrics, Kevin sang them softly in the background, a nice effect.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, those lyrics speak to the hope all believers share. No matter what pain and grief you may suffer here on earth, and no matter how difficult your challenges may be, with God’s help, you can overcome them.”

  Scooting closer on the pew, Lauren rested her head on Caleb’s arm. “That’s really sad,” she whispered. Prompted to reassure her, Caleb put his arm around her and tugged her close. In a spontaneous move, he pressed his lips to her forehead. She didn’t pull away or give him a look of disgust, and that it itself was encouraging, In truth, he needed the reassurance as much as she did. He couldn’t imagine ever losing Lauren in such a horrific tragedy. He’d known a few children who’d died under tragic circumstances, but to think of any man losing four children?

  The idea was unfathomable, and the story behind the well-known hymn was incredibly powerful. For a man who’d lost almost everything, Horatio Spafford found joy in the midst of his suffering.

  “Anna went on to give birth to three more children, a son, Horatio Goertner Spafford, who died at the age of four from scarlet fever. They also had two daughters, Bertha born in 1878 and Grace, born in 1881.”<
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  The pastor glanced at his notes and took a quick drink from a glass of water he retrieved from a small stand behind him. “Unfortunately, the church the Spaffords attended regarded their tragedy as divine punishment. In response, the couple formed their own Messianic sect, called ‘the Overcomers’ by the American press. In August 1881, the Spaffords set out for Jerusalem as a party of thirteen adults and three children, and they set up what they called The American Colony.”

  Pastor Baldwin looked over his congregation. “Listen up, folks, for there’s a lesson in what I’m about to tell you.”

  Caleb sat up straighter on the pew. “Those Colony members, later joined by Swedish Christians, engaged in philanthropic work amongst the people of Jerusalem regardless of their religious affiliation and without proselytizing as their motive. Through their efforts, they gained the trust of local Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities. Finally, Horatio Spafford died on October 16, 1888, of malaria. He is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery in Jerusalem.

  “The work of the American Colony continued on. During and immediately after World War I, they played a critical role in supporting these communities through the great suffering and deprivations of the eastern front. They ran soup kitchens, hospitals, orphanages, and many other charitable ventures.”

  Caleb’s mind wandered a bit as the pastor continued. Grabbing the Bible from the pew rack in front of them, Lauren flipped through to the passages of Scripture the pastor referenced. Good to see she remembered where to find them. He’d need to find their Bibles at the new house or else buy them both new ones.

  From the corner of his eye, he sensed Caty watching him. He gave her a slight nod and returned her smile. Thank you, Lord, for leading me here today.

  “In closing, this is what I’d like to impress upon you,” Pastor Baldwin said. “God knows your burdens, your fears, and your deepest insecurities and vulnerabilities. The key, ladies and gentlemen, is surrender. Full and complete surrender to our worldly desires, whatever they may be, and giving complete lordship over all to the heavenly Father.

  “This is my challenge to you today: review your life this week. As you do that, ask yourself this question: do I keep such a tight control over my finances, my family, my emotions, and everything else that I’m unwilling to give the Lord His full and proper place? It’s my prayer that if you find yourself lacking in any one of those areas, friends—and few of us don’t fall victim to one or more of those things since it’s part of what being human is about—then acknowledge it’s time to reevaluate your priorities and goals.

  “Search your heart. Read the Scriptures. Pray. A lot of it is mindset, and focusing on the good, the pure, and the righteous. Giving Him the glory and control over your life. And then, may all be well in your soul.”

  Caleb rose to his feet as Kevin took the platform to sing a last praise song. He’d been in services where the sermon topic applied in some way to his life. This morning, it was as though Charles Baldwin was speaking directly to him, an audience of one. Caleb didn’t need to search his soul to know he was lacking in so many ways. But he was making a concerted effort to reconnect, pray, and include the Lord in his plans, both personal and professional.

  “Dad.” Lauren nudged him. “It’s over.” He’d completely missed the closing prayer.

  After he stepped out into the aisle, Lauren darted around him. “Stay in the front vestibule,” he called, but he doubted she’d heard him. Eliot stood near the front door. Catching his eye, he nodded and mouthed, Got it covered.

  Caty rose to her feet and moved toward him. In her business suits with those pencil skirts and heels, she was a beautiful woman. This morning, in her feminine, retro-looking brown and white polka dot dress and high-heeled sandals, she stole his breath. The dress, modest yet fitted, revealed her pretty feminine curves to their best advantage. Normally, brown was another non-color he didn’t like. Seeing Caty in this dress changed his opinion. In fact, brown might be his new favorite color.

  “Fancy meeting you here.” She graced him with a surprisingly shy yet also confident smile. Interesting. She was an intriguing woman, alternately demure and confident. It took all of his restraint not to pull her into his arms and kiss her. He didn’t want to move too fast, but once he made up his mind—whether in business or his personal life—he wasn’t a patient man.

  “Great service this morning,” he said. “Pastor Baldwin touched on some things in his message that I’ve wrestled with on a personal level. As recently as this past Friday, as you know.”

  “Same here. This is the first time I’ve ever visited this church. I have the feeling I’ll be returning. You?”

  “Definitely. Eliot invited me. I’m assuming Marta invited you?”

  “Yes.” She laughed. “We probably shouldn’t speculate on whether the right hand of the Marchand Cupid Brigade was aware of what the left hand was doing.”

  “Whatever the reason, I’m always happy to see you, Caty.”

  She dipped her head. “Likewise. I used to always go to my home church whenever I was back home in Houston. Now that I’m back, hopefully permanently”—Caty darted a glance at him—“I’d like to try and find a different church.”

  “Makes sense. You want to establish your identity separate from your family, and not follow tradition simply for the sake of…tradition.” Caleb scratched the side of his head and gave her a wry grin. “Okay, that sentence made sense in my mind. You have a way of confusing me but in the best possible way. Caty, if Lauren and I didn’t already have plans, I’d love to take you to lunch. I wasn’t aware you’d be here—”

  “That’s okay,” she said quickly. “I have a standing invitation to go over to Sam and Lexa’s on Sundays, so that’s where I’m headed today, anyway. That is, as soon as I stop by the deli and pick up the salad I supposedly made last night.”

  Caleb stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Eliot advised me to get a guard dog. We’re driving out to the country to meet with a breeder this afternoon, but Lauren doesn’t know it yet.”

  “Has Lauren ever had a dog before?”

  “No, but she used to beg for one. It’ll be a crash course. We’re going to see a three-year-old Bullmastiff named Max. I wasn’t sure I could deal with—or ask Lettie to handle—training a puppy. So, I guess you could say Max is like a ready-made family member.”

  “I’ll look forward to meeting Max on Tuesday night.”

  He nodded. “This will be an experience for all of us. By the way, on another subject, when Pastor Baldwin talked about The American Colony, did that remind you of something?”

  Her blue eyes lit. “TeamWork?”

  “Exactly. I might call Sam and chat with him sometime about investment opportunities or a way to get involved.” He hadn’t planned on saying anything but the words slipped out of their own accord. “I’m always looking for solid organizations to support, and what better one than a missions-minded one?”

  Caty appeared pleased. “Sam would love to chat with you. Not to be presumptuous, but I was thinking we could put together a group from Belac to help out with a local TeamWork mission. Sam coordinates a lot of downtown events.” When he didn’t respond immediately, she continued. “It’s just a thought. Please don’t think I’m going to come up with all sorts of getting to know you activities.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea.” He loved her enthusiasm for her family, TeamWork, and Belac. He liked how she rambled on when she was nervous, trying to explain herself. Most of her suggestions were solid. No doubt she and Miles the mail guy had bounced ideas off one another, and that only endeared her to him more. She didn’t closet herself away like some of his executives. Caty was the type of person who invested herself in others. How many people had he ever met who put the needs of others above their own? So few he could probably count them on one hand.

  “You’re looking at me funny again. Is something wrong? Should I be worried?” With a quick frown, Caty glanced down and touched her dress. “Do I have a rip or a stain or s
omething?”

  “Nothing like that,” he assured her. “Forgive me. It’s just that you look—”

  “Like a breath of fresh air?” Her smile grew.

  “That, too.” Caleb’s brown eyes settled on her. “You’re breathtaking.”

  Chapter 30

  Caleb’s compliment hit its intended target when he caught Caty’s quiet intake of breath. He hoped she understood he didn’t freely bestow compliments on women the way some men did, and he enjoyed the sweet bloom of pink in her cheeks and the deepening blue in her eyes.

  “Thank you. Believe it or not, this dress belonged to my mother, Sarah. She wore it around the time my parents got engaged back in the early sixties. I’m sure she could still wear it, but she insisted I take it. We have a framed photo of her standing in front of Dad’s vintage airplane wearing this dress. It’s one of those retouched photos that looks like an oil painting.”

  Walking side by side, moving slowly, they made their way down the aisle. Marta was keeping Lauren occupied, and they seemed to be sharing a lively discussion in the outer vestibule.

  “I love how your family values tradition, and you all seem so close,” he told her. “Does your dad still have the airplane?”

  “No.” Caty breathed out a quiet sigh. “After a while, he donated it to a local museum. He goes to visit it sometimes since they still have it on display. Dad has Ménière’s Disease, a disorder of the inner ear, and it grounded him as an Air Force pilot not long before the Vietnam War broke out. Growing up, we heard all the stories about his missions flying overseas. Anyway, the plane was a two-seater, and he gave all of us rides in the plane when we were old enough to go up with him.”