"God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day."
~ Genesis 1:31
When I was a young girl, my father instilled in me a love for nature. Often a warm feeling of inspiration came over me as I admired Dad’s fruit trees and rose bushes, the soil mulched neatly around each one.
Dad had also experienced a deep connection with God while cultivating the family cornfield in his youth. Those reflective times, as well as times delving into God’s Word, eventually led him to open his heart to the Savior. After high school graduation, Dad enrolled in Bible college and, later, in seminary. Afterward, he planted churches for the next fifty years as a lead pastor, including the church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where I was born and grew up.
Because of my dad, I, too, learned to look for the handprints of God in all of creation, observing the intricacy in a Passion flower as its blooms unfolded or the multicolored hydrangeas in our large yard near Amish farmland.
Curious, one day I asked my mother if Dad might be creating his sermons in his mind while planting or harvesting his organic vegetable garden. (Long before organic produce was even popular!) She smiled and nodded, agreeing that there was something very special, indeed, about Dad’s time spent gardening. During the day—even after supper before twilight—when he wasn’t reading the Bible or outlining his sermons, he seemed to be walking with God in the stillness of the maturing lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, squash, and snap peas. And later in life, Dad grew specimen flowers specifically to supply the local florists.
During this month of June and Father’s Day, I miss Dad for many reasons, among them his joyful countenance whenever he was describing a “new” type of produce, such as the cabbage he’d eaten during a mission trip to Beijing, China--Napa cabbage, rich in vitamins A, B3, iron and copper, and also lower in sodium than regular cabbage. And oh, the variety of colorful peonies Dad grew during his retirement years with my mother’s help. Row upon row of the frilly, flamboyant flowers graced their backyard.
Yes, Dad loved God’s creation, as well as God’s people. He was instrumental in leading many, many souls to Christ over the years, including mine.
Abundant blessings!
—Beverly Lewis
1) Thanks for the many delightful comments regarding The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook, 20th Anniversary Edition. I'm so thrilled you're trying new-to-you recipes--even some families made dried corn casserole for Easter dinner. A high honor!
2) Dave and I are enjoying the warmer days of late spring here, where there is seemingly daily weather changes--70 degrees one day, then sleet and snow the next. The lilac bushes around town are almost ready to burst forth with blossoms, and spring housecleaning is nearly over. Thanks, as always, for your kind remarks about my books (back list, as well as my upcoming The Christmas House, releasing September 2nd). And...a very happy Father's Day to all the dads!
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."
~ Proverbs 31:26
In our breakfast nook, there is a plaque given to me by our daughter Julie. It says simply, Home is where your mom is.
I cherish the meaning—her heart and mine are bound together in love, no matter where we may be, one from the other. Thankfully, Julie lives just a few minutes from us. :)
As a young girl, my best friend was my mother. I remember listening to her at the piano as she sang and played hymns and other songs. One of my favorites started like this: “Let’s be true to Jesus, though a thousand voices from the world may call.”
My mother also composed songs of her own and taught them to our church congregation, where Dad was the pastor. But far more important to my mother than musical talent was her faith. She encouraged my sister, Barbara, and me to live for Jesus all of our lives, and to trust in His will and way.
This Mother’s Day, eighteen years now since her Homegoing, I am still so grateful for her and Dad’s prayers and godly instruction, knowing that their heavenly Home will one day be mine, too, and we will never have to part.
“Let’s be true to Jesus” still rings in my memory, and I pray its message will soften your heart, as well.
Blessings for this month of honoring mothers, and always,
—Beverly Lewis
1) If you'd like to preorder my September book, The Christmas House, you may do so at these links:
Baker Book House (40% off and free US shipping through September 1)
2) Barbara and I have created this lovely "Quilted Hello" card from the all-occasion selection. Order yours at: www.amishcheer.com.
3) I pray each mother, mother-to-be, and mother figure who reads this blog enjoys a most blessed Mother’s Day and delightful springtime!
"Celebrate and sing! Play your harps for the LORD our God. He fills the sky with clouds and sends rain to the earth, so that the hills will be green with grass. . . .The LORD is pleased only with those who worship Him and trust His love."
~ Psalm 147:7, 8 & 11 CEV
This season of springtime is absolutely permeated with renewal and the opportunity for new beginnings. It is also a time for quiet reflection and focus on all that Christ suffered on our behalf prior to His death and glorious resurrection.
While growing up near Amish farms in Lancaster County, I gleaned much about the Plain traditions of fasting and praying on Good Friday, of preparations on Saturday for Easter Sunday (cleaning house and preparing meals ahead of time), and of attending church when Easter Sunday was scheduled as the next Preaching service for that particular church district. (They hold house church every other Sunday).
Those of you who are curious about Amish Easter traditions will find this video by Erik Wesner, one of my wonderful research consultants, highly informative. Erik has visited over 5,000 Amish homes across America and Canada and has been privileged to experience Easter celebrations in more than just Lancaster County’s Amish country.
Here’s the link to his fascinating video, which I recommend watching:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk_lJTX7c24
And whatever community you are celebrating with this year, I wish you a most blessed and joyous Easter season!
—Beverly Lewis
1) The Christmas House is available to preorder at the following retailer links:
2) I'm so excited to announce that my sister, Barbara, and I have created three new cards for Easter. See more about "Easter Blessings," "Carrot Car Chickie," and "Bunny and Chicks" 5-pack, at http://www.amishcheer.com
3) Thanks for your continual friendship on Facebook and my website, as well as your loyal support of my books. Blessings for Easter, indeed!
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust. . . ."
~ Psalm 56:3-4a
Recently, a number of dear ones in my life have lost a spouse or a parent to serious illness. The word “afraid” is often shared in hushed tones, and facing each sad day with aloneness tends to add to the depth of sorrow. New daily patterns and pressing obligations fill up the days and weeks when grief weighs so heavily.
Our Lord Jesus was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3) Understanding that our Savior experienced deepest anguish and yet has “borne our grief and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53-4) offers comfort and, yes, even a sense of peace to those who grieve.
As I ponder this, I have chosen prayeras my word for 2025. Prayer for those who are mourning the passing of a loved one and/or close friend of many years, prayer for those facing major surgery and the sometimes arduous recovery, prayer for healing from flu and RSV and other illnesses, and prayers for divine wisdom and protection for many who are finding themselves quite suddenly alone.
Perhaps making a list of important things to pray about in our world and in our own small corner of it would be helpful--along with a list of those who are struggling or suffering. We could then spend time taking each one to the throne of Grace. Yes, I feel seriously called to prayer, and often. Will you join me?
With spring arriving this month, I’m looking forward to the surge of new life—tulips and daffodils pushing up from the soil once again, birds returning, bees humming, and even Daylight Savings Time returning with its longer, sunny evenings.
I wish you every blessing for body, mind, and spirit,
—Beverly Lewis
1) I am beyond thrilled to reveal the book cover for The Christmas House, releasing this fall on September 2. This charming, romantic story is sure to bring you some festive joy!
Preorder Now!
Baker Book House (40% off + Free Shipping!)
2) My sister and I have created a lovely, new set of cards from our Care and Comfort selection. Order yours at http://www.amishcheer.com/careandcomfort.
3) Thanks for your ever-thoughtful support of my writing, dear friends. I appreciate your showing up for my books all these decades so very much!