"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is
far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will
have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her
life" (Pro. 31:10-12)
Hey Gang: Our family, friends and neighbors think we are
kind of strange. We often drive more than two hours for
breakfast. Is the food the motivational factor? not in your sweet
bippy. Our destination for breakfast is in the tiny Amish Community
of Shipshewana, Indiana. There is no question the cinnamon rolls
are out of sight but going to Shipshewanna is like entering a different kind of
atmosphere.
Many years ago, in the early years of development of the Village,
we were visited by the feared agent from the Internal Revenue Service.. I
wondered at the time why they would chose to come to Hersey, Michigan, a one-house
program that did not have two dimes to rub together, but learned another
chapter in "God does work in mysterious ways".
He informed me he would be with us for a day and half and have a
exit meeting with me at noon the next day.
But the next day ended with his announcement he would be there
one more day. Fear and trepidation suddenly invaded me from my tippy toes
to the longest hair on my head. Was he finding some hidden discrepancy in
the books?
Day three arrived and went in the same manner, with the
announcement he would return tomorrow and finish by noon. Needless to
say, by noon on the fourth day I was in a tizzy. (Those of you who know
me you know I tend to be a little (well maybe a lot) hyper when strange things
are happening.)
The hour of departure had finally arrived and Mr.IRS was
packed and ready to depart - but I would have no part of that until he told me
why he extended his time from a day and half to three days. Wow, what a
blessing God gave to me that day! He said, "I have done audits on
hundreds of non-profit agencies but when I came here I felt something very
different than the others. I asked, “What is that difference?”
He said, “This place
is more than a program, or agency, it is like driving into an atmosphere.”
I had forgotten that experience that came just when I needed it. Things
were not going well in the development of the Village and now I had something
to hang my faith and belief that we were in the will of God.
When I drive into Shipshewana I get that same feeling. I
feel like I am driving into an atmosphere that has overcome the rapid pace
and coldness of the world. I love to hear the clip-clop of the
horse drawn carts, I love to see the people in their plain dress.
And I love to see the families working together, playing together and on Sunday
mornings to see the line of carts heading to their Elder’s home for worship and
fellowship.
An old Amish farmer was asked, "How come there are so few
divorces among the Plain People?”. He responded in a half amusing and
half very serious way, "Well, he said, “when I am out plowing all day
behind the animals and then get home at
night, my bride looks real good! But the
real reason is we make a lay down your life commitment to the one God sent into
our lives. To leave them or forsake them would be a slap in our heavenly Father’s
face for he choose her for me and He is all wise.”
Soooo, my young and not so young friends, if you feel the
walls closing in on you and the alligators snapping at your heals - take a day
and go to Shipshewana and just sit on one of the many benches that are placed for sojourners from the fast- paced world
outside and listen to the clippity-clop of the horses and enjoy the ladies in
their bonnets and long plain dresses and the men and boys in their common
attire. It is good for your physical body and even better for your soul.
Blessings,
Gramps
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