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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CHILL (11/24/22)
MY NAME IS CALEB BOOKER


My name is Caleb Booker and I have a story to tell. It is the story of my life as a circuit-riding parson. As I sit here in my rocker by the fire, I have so many memories flooding my mind, I don’t rightly know where to start, so, I’ll start from the beginning.

I was born in 1819 in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee. My parents were Ezra and Eliza Booker. I grew up in Hokum Holler, which was in a very remote area. My childhood was like any other boy who lived in the wilderness. When I wasn’t doing chores I was in the woods hunting and fishing.

Visitors were few and far between, so, when Parson Jenks came to our house, it was a happy time. Neighbors would come from miles around to hear him preach.

I met the Lord when I was 10 years old. Parson was preaching about Hell and right then and there I decided it was a place where I didn’t want to go. I asked for forgiveness and Jesus came into my heart.

From that moment on I couldn’t get enough of God. My father taught me my ABC’s and you usually would find me with my nose stuck in the family Bible.

As I grew older I began feeling a tugging in my heart. I felt I was supposed to do something. I just couldn’t figure out what it was. Thinking back on it, it soon became apparent.

When I turned sixteen, my life changed forever. Parson Jenks was here and after the service, he called me aside.

“Caleb, he had said, “I’m going to retire. Life on the circuit is getting almighty hard.”

“When?” I had asked.

“That all depends on your answer.”

Confused, I queried, “I don’t understand.”

“Caleb,” he answered, “the Lord wants you to take my place. He’s been watching you and knows your heart. He says you are ready.”

From then on I began to understand what the tugging in my heart was. He had been preparing me for this all along.

I looked at him and spoke, “Parson, my answer is yes. I knew that something was going to happen. Now I know what it is.”

Relieved, Parson smiled, “He told me to give you my horse, You are going to need old Betsy.”

And so my new life began. I packed my things and shed a few tears as I bade my parents goodbye and hit the road.

No one ever said it was going to be easy. I can surely attest to that. Many the night I’ve slept on the ground and woke up chilled to the bone. I’ve endured blizzards, below-zero temperatures, hail, tornadoes, and drought. I have been stalked by mountain lions and bears, even stepped on a copperhead, and was unscathed. The good Lord protected me.

Early on, I made friends with the Indians and they let me be. Highwaymen, bandits, and robbers were a problem in the beginning. Once they found out I didn’t have anything worth taking, they left me alone.

The glorious things I witnessed I will never forget. I’ve preached on hillsides, river banks, and in rustic cabins. How the Holy Spirit worked was amazing. I saw Him descend like a dove and come as a cleansing fire. I have led countless to the Lord. I’ve wept as hardened criminals melted in His presence. And I’ve performed weddings and preached over the dead. All of this was done in the name of the Lord.

But the thing I remember the most were the baptisms, especially the ones in the dead of winter. A hole would be chopped in the ice and I would shuck my hat, coat, shoes, and socks, and wade into that bone-chilling water. It would take your breath away. It didn’t matter. I baptized countless many that way and nobody ever got sick. I figure that the Lord works in mysterious ways and that was just one example.

Now I am an old man wrapped in his blanket, sitting by a roaring fire, trying to drive the chill from my bones. A young man took my place just as I took Parson Jenk’s place and the ministry goes on.

Would I relive my life? Gladly. I was and still am a willing servant. This was my life in His service and I am humbly proud of it. God is good. Amen.
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This article has been read 381 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Laurie Kiel 
12/02/22
I enjoyed this story very much. It made me wish I could meet Caleb in person. Just one small thing when you wrote
“Confused, I queried,” it took me out of the story for a moment because “queried” didn’t seem a word that would come out of Caleb’s mouth.

But aside from that tiny thing I enjoyed this immensely and thought it a clever take on the topic. Especially the baptism story. I hope it does well.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
12/04/22
This is a delightful story. I really enjoyed this character and would like to read more stories about the many exciting adventures that were mentioned. The beginning was a bit slow. You could tighten it up by combining a few sentences and leave out some of the details that don't move the story forward. Add some body language with your dialog and you'll paint a great picture for the reader. It's not always easy to follow God's calling. I liked your message and your take on the topic too. I also enjoyed how you brought the story full circle. It warmed my heart.