Hey Gang: I have often shared with you some of my
experiences in Amish country of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This morning I want to
share a few of the wonderful experiences that I was privileged to see and, even
been a part of, that show the heart of the Amish people. I learned very early in my tenure among them
that they have two focuses, God and family and everything they do centers on
those two focuses.
This is the story of the Amish dad who was working with his
very young son building a rabbit hutch. You see, the Amish believe that every
person in the family should be a contributing member, therefore each is assigned
chores that fit their age and capabilities, as soon as they are old enough to
fulfill those responsibilities.
His neighbor, who was a very successful farmer came over and
suggested that he could save a lot of time and even a few bucks at the local
elevator (grainery to the Amish). They sell
rabbit hutches already built and at reasonable prices. The
Amish Daddy said, but what would my son learn, if I bought an already completed
rabbit hutch, and how would I teach him that a job well done brings confidence
to try greater tasks?”
He then added, “With each board that is cut and nail driven
there is memory attached and a deeper relationship built between father and
son.” He closed his conversation by
saying, “Cheaper is not the important issue that I want to teach my son,
quality is. I want him to feel good
about his accomplishments, which will the foundation to far greater things in
his future.”
We, meaning my bride and I, drive to Shipshewana, Indiana,
several times a year for breakfast.
People thing we are a wee-bit weird, but Shipshe is Amish and Mennonite
Country and we can feel the peace as we approach the tiny town. There is only one other place where I feel
such peace and that is when the aircraft wheels touch town at Ben Gurion
Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.
We often spend the day just enjoying the clip-clop of the
horses and see the warmth in the interaction of the families. Oh, I know they are not without their
problems. One day I saw the usual long table with the patriarch and matriarch
at the head of the table and all of the family in attendance enjoying the fellowship.
When asked, if attendance was mandatory, the patriarch said, “Not by word but
by the desire of the heart”
I have told the story of a special comradery that exists among
the Amish community, especially in times of woe. One morning, as I was driving my route, I
noticed Amish buggies with carts and full families on board heading toward one
farmer’s place. Tragedy struck! The barn caught fire during
the night and burned to the ground. The fire destroyed livestock, farm
implements, feed for the winter and all the other non-essentials that one likes
to keep at hand. Keep in mind the Amish
do not believe in such things as insurance (as we know it), welfare or hand-outs
of any kind.
To make a long story very short, the barn was totally raised
with the week - but they were not done!
When the carts left the property for the last time, the livestock had been
replaced, the farm implements were in the barn and the barn was filled with the
needed livestock feed for the coming winter months. As I drove by each day, it looked more like a
family reunion, with all the wonderful festivities than a barn raising.
Well, folks, thank you for giving me the opportunity to
share some of the wonderful memories of my time among the Plain People. As I mentioned above, yes, they have their
problems, but their problems are not theirs alone; there is a community of
people who all look much alike in their clothing and are amazing in their
respect for each other. Have you demonstrated
God’s love and insurance policy to your neighbor recently? Why? Or
Why Not?
Blessings,
Gramps
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