“Caleb,” Elijah said, low and steady, already on his feet. “Look at me.”
Caleb’s eyes found his like a man grabbing a railing in a storm.
“Breathe,” Elijah said. “We’re going. But we’re going with control. Your kids need you steady.”
Caleb Mercer walked into The Shepherds Cafe wearing the kind of exhaustion that doesn’t come from long hours—only from long sorrow. His coffee was black, his hands shook, and the wedding band on his finger looked heavier than it should.
Late afternoon settled softly over The Shepherds Cafe, and the stained-glass windows did what they always did when the sun hit them just right: they threw calm, colorful shapes across the hardwood floor like God was quietly reminding the room that light can be gentle and still be strong.
It was a blustery autumn afternoon when Elijah, Jeremiah, and Barbara gathered at their favorite spot in the Contoso Café. Outside, golden leaves pirouetted to the ground, but inside, the trio was locked in their usual lively debate. This time, the topic was gratitude, sparked by a comment from Barbara about how rarely people seem …
When Jesus declared in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” He issued more than a comforting statement—He issued a call to action. To follow Jesus means committing every part of ourselves—boots and all—into a life of trust, obedience, and faith. It’s not a passive, part-time endeavor; it’s a bold decision to walk the path He leads, no matter the cost.