‘Be friendly to all and a burden to no one. Live holy before God; before yourself, moderately; before your neighbors, honestly. Let your life be modest and reserved, your manner courteous, your admonitions friendly, your forgiveness willing, your promises true, your speech wise, and share gladly the bounties you receive.’ Source: Rules of a Godly Life, cited in Amish Roots, John A. Hostetler
When it’s all said and done… …how much will the all-leather interior really matter? The plasma screen? Designer threads? The thick bank account? The ‘right’ zip code? ‘…store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’
Sometimes, as serious adults, we miss the joy to be found in the simple things. Children are good at showing us what we’re missing. A great shot of some Amish kids, back when snow meant fun, not hassle.
A few years ago a great book was published, entitled The Amish In Their Own Words, edited by Brad Igou of Amish Country News. Brad combed through 25 years of Amish writings in Family Life magazine, putting together a collection of Amish wisdom, history, and explanations of why they do the things they do, all written from an Old Order standpoint. If you’ve ever wondered…