"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!
"Do everything in love."
~ 1 Corinthians 16:14
My thoughtful husband sometimes whips up a delicious dinner for the two of us when I'm busy writing or for no reason at all—simply to demonstrate love. Recently, Dave made a surprise spaghetti dinner on the 11th anniversary of my father's heavenly Homegoing. Why? Because my dad loved to eat spaghetti when he lived with us, and it was a way for Dave and me to sit by candlelight and enjoy one of Dad’s favorite foods, all the while reminiscing about God’s call on his long life of ministry. (Dad was a pastor and a missionary for over 50 years.)
No doubt you, too, have special ways to show thoughtfulness to the people in your life, besides the obvious ones, of course!
Last month, Dave and I spent New Year’s with several of my Kansas relatives, and knowing how fond they all are of cookies (a fondness I share), I stopped in at Eileen’s Colossal Cookies. I’ll admit I went a little wild and purchased a dozen each of peanut butter, cranberry oatmeal, oatmeal raisin . . . and chocolate chip cookies for a special treat.
After Dave's first bite following New Year’s Day dinner, he declared, “These cookies aren’t just a little good!” and we all agreed we had slipped into cookie heaven.
This Valentine's Day, you might like to make one of the recipes from my Amish cookbook to surprise your honey or kids and grandkids. There are mouth-watering pies, cakes, cookies, and what Amish like to call dessert “bars” or “squares” found between pages 131 to 216 (a large section of the cookbook for a good reason!). A few of my personal favorites are the lemon bars, cream puffs, pineapple upside-down cake, vanilla pie, chocolate Christmas cookies, the sand tarts and snickerdoodles (like Ella Mae Zook’s), and peanut blossoms.
On Valentine’s Day and every day, there are unique opportunities to show our love. And, remember, it’s often the simple things that are the most cherished: a sweet note tucked into a sock drawer or lunch box, an unexpected phone call (not a text, although they’re nice, too), a visit to a shut-in, a handmade gift of embroidery or pottery, or just telling someone who is ill or struggling otherwise that you are faithfully praying for them.
You might be surprised at how comforting and encouraging such tokens of love can be, and they don’t take a lot of imagination, really. Sharing kindness by giving of yourself and of your time can go a long way toward making a difference in someone’s life. In some cases, a world of difference.
Blessings and love,
—Beverly Lewis
1) I could not be more pleased (and wowed) by the cover for my book, The Christmas House, releasing this fall 2025! Here's a secret glimpse of the cover reveal, coming in next month's blog and newsletter. I hope you're as excited as I am!
2) My sister, Barbara, and I are offering our unique and beautiful Valentine's cards through February 5, so take a moment to order yours for the special people in your life at: www.AmishCheer.com and we'll get your order mailed out immediately.
3) So much gratitude goes out to my wonderful readers who make my writing life a delight. You are such an inspiration to me!