“But she lied,” Zach pointed out. “Isn’t that bad?”
Matt nodded. “You’re right, but she wasn’t honored for her lie. She was saved because of her faith. She didn’t lie to save herself. In fact, she could have gotten herself killed. She wasn’t afraid of the soldiers. She was afraid of God, and He used her to carry out his purpose.”
“God can use anyone,” Gage said. “Ask me how I know.”
Matt closed his Bible and rested back in his seat. “There’s something to be said about discernment. God pursues us, but so does Satan. We’re the ones with a choice. Which master will we serve?”
Zach glanced at Lauren who scribbled a pen across a page, taking notes about a story she’d probably heard before. Lauren’s allegiance was locked in. She knew where she belonged, but where did that leave Zach? He heard the whispers of the devil more often than the small tug of goodness in his heart, but things were starting to flip. Watching her choose good over evil time and time again was enough to make him want to believe.
It all came down to one thing. He wanted to be on Lauren’s side. Wherever she stood, he wanted to stand beside her because she knew how to make sense out of things he couldn’t understand.
“What happened to Rahab?” Zach asked.
Matt’s mouth tugged up in a grin. “She married an Israelite and lived the rest of her life with the Israelites as far as we know. She was a direct ancestor of Jesus of Nazareth. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.”
Bella wiped at her cheeks. “Yeah. This bunch of ordinary people changed my life.”
“Mine too,” Gage said.
Zach didn’t speak up again, but the question replayed in his head all afternoon. Which master would he serve?
31
Lauren
Lauren stepped into the house and shoved off her coat. A faint dusting of snow had covered it on the short walk from her car to the house, and that was only a sample of what was to come. News reports had been blowing up all day about the winter storm coming.
She checked her watch on her way to the kitchen. Zach wasn’t off work at the ranch yet, but if he didn’t leave soon, he’d be stuck in Silver Falls. After starting a pot of coffee, she called him.
“Yes, angel?”
“Hey. Where are you?” she asked.
“On my way home. Why? You need something?”
“Actually, I was just wondering if you’d be back before the storm starts.”
“Yeah. I should be home. Are you in for the night?”
“Yes, and probably for the next couple of days. It’s going to be a big one.”
“Call me if you need anything,” Zach said. “Snow won’t stop me. You got it?”
Lauren had gotten over her fear of being alone years ago. At least, she thought she had. Being snowed in alone felt more like being trapped than peaceful solitude. Knowing Zach was close meant she could rest a little easier. “Got it. Stay safe.”
As soon as she ended the call, Asa’s name flashed on her phone screen.
“Hello.”
“Hey. Are you prepared for this storm?” he asked.
“As prepared as I can be. Jugs of water. Propane heater. Hot chocolate… What about you?”
Asa chuckled. “Lyric and I have been snowed in together before, but I’m on the clock this time. She’s at home with Mom and the kids.”
“Please be careful.”
“Oh, I will. Listen, I’m calling because someone else claimed they spotted Anthony.”
