Giving And Caring

Giving and Caring

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

Proverbs 23:22

Fall is one of the most beautiful times in Amish country, with its cool, comfortable days and crisp evenings, but even more beautiful than the autumn view is the sight of a family member arriving by horse and buggy. While many parents around the States have to nag their grown children to call or visit, adult Amish children make it a goal to see that their parents’ needs are taken care of:

How relaxing to see my daughter Liz and her husband Levi drive in with their horse-drawn buggy last night while in the midst of making tomato juice. Liz stepped in to help me finish processing the tomato juice. It is hard work to do, such processing. What a surprise to have them stay for the night. It’s so good to have family. What would I do without family?

Our drains, that drain away waste water, started to not be in working order, so our son Albert came yesterday. What a mess to go through, but was just glad to see those drains in good working order. Again, it is so nice to have children who come around and are helpful.

On September 4, my son-in-law Joe and my daughter Lovina were here, and with the help of my daughter Verena, the old roof from our barn, which was just replaced, was cleared away. A good meal was served to all after that hard work. . . . It looks very nice with a brand new roof sparkling in the sunshine.

I smile as I read Elizabeth’s words. I can sense her relief that her house and barn are being tended to—that she is being tended to. God places us into families for a reason. Although it’s good to have friends, family should be the first to support us, to provide for us, and to meet our physical and emotional needs. How have you been doing in the giving and caring department? It’s not too late to extend a hand of love. Just imagine the smile you’ll put on someone’s face!

Dear heavenly Father, the busyness of life often hinders me from reaching out to my family. Soften my heart to care for those who’ve provided so much care for me.