Amish Peace

I'm still reading Living Relationally by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose about the women of Genesis. While reading about Eve's temptation by the serpent, I couldn't help but make the correlation between her and us today. Satan, in the form of a serpent, told Eve that by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she would become like God. Now Eve knew God; she had spent time with Him, walking in the Garden of Eden. She had to know that nothing would or could make her like God, but she bought the lie, because she wanted to be something more than she was. She decided that how God had made her was not good enough; she wanted more. Even though when God created her, He pronounced her good. Eve decided that good wasn't enough.

Does that remind you of anything? Think of all of those slick infomercials promising to make us thin, rich, beautiful, or even better cooks (mothers). Every one of them promises a quick fix for an outrageous price. And we buy into it because we have decided that how God made us isn't good enough. We want more, and rather than doing the actual work it takes to create change, we want the quick fix. Real change only comes with effort and commitment. In the story of Adam and Eve, Satan comes across as a oily salesman with a promise for goods that he can't deliver, like the Cham-Wow guy with scales.

And in the end, aren't we really looking for the peace. We want to feel good about ourselves. We want to feel safe and loved. John 14:27 says: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. What God's promising can't be bought in a store or as advertised on TV, and that's what I want.

Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a fascinating look at the source of the title. Fisher, who comes from an Anabaptist tradition called Dunkards, delves deeply into the day-to-day life of the Amish. With their focus on God and family, they have a better understanding of what it means to live the way God intends and the peace that pervades every aspect of their life emphasizes this. Each short chapter gives insight into one aspect of their lives: respect for elders, working as a community, or church services. The Amish have a different way of looking at life: one woman gave up her painting for a time when she feared that it was overwhelming her love for God. Families with Alzheimer's patients or disabled children don't institutionalize their loved ones, but devote their lives to caring for them. Whether you have an slight interest in the Amish or a fascination to know more about their way of life, this book will definitely satisfy.

Don't forget to send me an email to sign up to win one of two copies of John Bevere's Extraordinary. The contest ends at 10 pm on Thursday, October 8th.

Along Came You

I didn't sleep much last night and woke up with my hips aching. Mia was bored from three days of no school (I'm getting worried about summer!). The day did not start off on the best foot. After the bumpy start, I rested up and Mia played on the Wii for awhile. The weather has finally warmed up enough for me to enjoy my glider on the front porch. I grabbed a blanket, a couple of pillows, a book, and a bottle of water, even leaving my phone inside. I sat and felt the sun and gentle breeze on my face. I love the sound of my windchimes and the smell of lilacs. It was a perfect moment and I revelled in the peace.

Until Mia realized that I was outside without her. The Wii was immediately turned off and she flew outside with her own blanket and book. She opened her book and chattered away without ever seeming to take a breath. I tried to explain to her the joy of the smells and sounds and quiet of nature. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "Oh how I love this peace! Mommy, I really love sharing peace outside here with you. Isn't it nice and peaceful out here just the two of us enjoying the peace. From now on, if I see you out here having peace, I'm going to come out here and have peace with you whether you like it or not, because I love having peace with you. This peace is so nice Mommy!"

I had a choice; I could snap at her and kick her off of the porch making both of us miserable in my pursuit of peace. Or, I could have some "peace" with my little girl who will only want to spend time with me like this for a short time. So we read a book for Mia and Mommy's Book Blog and took some funny pictures. She laughed so hard that we both nearly cried. The book we read couldn't have been any more appropriate for the day.

Along Came You by Karona Drummond and Estelle Corke is a touching look at how a mother's life changes after she has a child. First, Mia's thoughts: The book was about Mommy and me and how much we love each other. I really liked at the end where the mom said that life was amazing after you [the little girl]. That was the sweetest thing! There was a funny picture in there where the mom had food in her mouth so she looked like a walrus *giggles*. This book made me feel a thousand times a million happy because it reminded me of our family and my family makes me happy! It made me laugh, and I love to laugh! Now my (Mom's) thoughts. This book about a mother's love thoroughly captured the fun and joy of being a mother in the subtle and not so subtle ways our lives change. Meals, travel, and even sleep will never be the same after a child is born. Corke's illustrations have just the right amount of whimsy and emotion. The language is simple, and the repetitive structure allowed Mia to try to guess what was coming next. It's a sweet book, perfect for expecting or new moms, or even for old timers like me!

There is no more peace and quiet here. Molly's on the computer, Mia's on the Wii, Jesse's listening to his audiobook in the kitchen, and I, of course, am blogging. That's what passes for normal around here. I'll have to sneak a moment of peace another time...when Mia can't catch me! :)

The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society

It's been mentioned to me that I may be a bit too "religious" here occasionally. I make no apologies for it. I know that some people may be turned off by what I have to say, and that's ok. I'm not here to offend. But at the same time, my faith is what gets me through each day, and if someone else is encouraged or strengthened by what I have to say, that's a blessing I'm grateful for! God has recently put it on my heart that I spend far too much time worry about what other people think of me instead of about what He thinks of me. I want to be living my life in a way that's pleasing to Him, and I hope that my blog is.

That said, I'd like to share a bit with you about Mia's growing faith. She's been bothered lately by my illness and worries that I'm going to die. Last night, she was lying in bed next to me trying to go to sleep, but she had fears that something would happen to one of us in the night. I remembered a verse in a Psalm about going to sleep in peace, so I pulled out my Bible, flipped to the concordance, and found it. Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you along O Lord, will keep me safe. As I read it aloud to her, she folded her hands and closed her eyes, then she asked me to read it again. And then a third time, this time with my finger under each word so she could follow along.

A few years ago, I read somewhere that you should read Paul's discussion about love in 1 Corinthians 13 replacing your name for love in each instance. Try it; it will quickly humble you as to the quality of your love. To help Mia out, I tried something like it with this verse. In peace Mia will lie down and sleep, for you along, O Lord, will keep her safe. The smile that spread across her face was radiant. She asked me to read it again so she could repeat it after me. So we broke it up into phrases until she was repeating it on her own. Soon she said it with my name in it, and it became a prayer. In peace, Mommy lies down to sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep her safe. She wanted to say it for Jesse, so I called him into the room, and when his little girl said (with only a little help): In peace, Daddy lies down to sleep, for you along, O Lord, will keep him safe, I thought he was going to cry.

Mia has taught me so much about faith in her five short years. Last night she demonstrated for me what a true thirst for God's word is and the deep desire to keep it in your heart. I didn't coach her to memorize it; she was delighted to find God's promise to her and wanted to remember it so she wouldn't feel that kind of fear again. She went to sleep soon after; no more worries or fears about dying. Instead there was peace resting in his promise of safety.

The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society by Beth Patillo is the newest in a flourishing genre of chick lit books focusing on a handicraft. In this case knitting, plus a book group. Eugenie, the long time town librarian runs the society with an iron fist, so when she brings in teenager Hannah, troubled and caught tearing pages out of a library book, to do penance by attending the meetings and cleaning the library, all of the other members are changed by her presence. Esther and Ruthie are sisters who couldn't be more different. Esther is picture perfect, but her husband is in love with free-wheeling Ruthie. Camille is only 24 but has given up her dreams of leaving small town Sweetgum to take care of her ailing mother. Merry is an overstressed mother with a faltering marriage and a surprise pregnancy. These different women all come to the society for their own reasons and find the same thing: family, acceptance, and love. But only after Hannah forces them to drop their facades and really see each other and themselves. Not too much attention is paid to the books read or the knitting, just enough to keep the plot moving without dragging. These women were so real; they shop next to you in the grocery store and sit next to you in the church pew. Patillo captures their hopes and dreams and makes all of them (even Esther) sympathetic. I hope that this is only the first in a series, because I want to know these characters better and watch them grow.


Today was the first power outage of the summer. It's also the first 90 degree day. Hopefully, the two won't go hand in hand for the rest of the summer.