"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
Shipshewana 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 choose to come to Hersey,
Michigan, a one-horse program that did not have two dimes to rub together, but I 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 an
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 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! Mr. IRS said, "I have done audits
on hundreds of non-profit agencies but, when I came here, I felt something very
different than at 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- and 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 on which to hang my faith
and belief that we really were in the will of God. remember, we had no church backing us.
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 enjoy hearing the clip-clop of
the horse-drawn carts. I enjoy seeing the people in their plain
dress. And I especially enjoy seeing families working together, playing
together and 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 chose her for me and He is all wise.”
So, my young and not so young friends, When 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.
My ultimate Rehoboth: time with Jesus, my Lord, and in His Word!
Blessings,
Gramps
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