Gloria Yoder The Amish Cook
I am amazed to see God at work. He has worked through you, my friends, who have prayed for us and supported us in countless ways over the past 10 months since Father Daniel was called home to heaven.
Last week I was amazed again; yes, I think that’s the best descriptive word I can find for what I felt when discussing with a friend, I knew well during our girlhood days living in Ohio. Our paths, however, had not crossed in years.
After my family moved to Illinois, sometimes she would come visit with her family, we would laugh and play, making wonderful memories together; time slipped by, she moved to another state, and our connection diminished even more. Imagine how excited I was last week to find out he would be in the area and planning to stop by our house Friday afternoon.
The moment has finally come. She came beaming to the door, instantly we picked up where our relationship left off years ago. I only knew bits and pieces of her difficult life journey, so I asked her how she was really doing. I found myself listening intently as he talked about the heartaches he had been through and no, there wasn’t even a trace of bitterness! I only noticed the absolute acceptance of the unfortunate situations that were thrown at him. Where there had been deep pain, there was now a depth of total trust in Someone greater than herself or her circumstances.
People read and…
The answers to how God brought her through these valleys were not wrapped up in precise enough papers. With great interest, I watched as they sought the Lord and he simply stayed faithful and provided for her through the rocky years she endured, turning over stone after stone. She still talked and laughed much as she did 25 years ago, only now there was an added gentleness as the love of Jesus flowed through her meaningfully.
Last night I was awake tending to a sick child and thinking about everything; something clicked in a new way. More than all the right words spoken by someone who cares, is the simple presence of Jesus in someone’s life. Without her even telling me that we would go through this valley of Daniel’s passage, I knew with a conviction, deeper than ever, that I was not wrong and that God’s plan for my life is Sovereign. She didn’t even tell us these things; she just lived it.
I don’t expect to be free of trials and heartaches, but perhaps more than I understand, it’s up to us how they affect us in the end.
The encouragement of seeing God’s love lived out has been rich, but so has the encouragement and confidence that so many of you have expressed in God’s provision for us no matter what.
Before my friend left, she took a bookmark out of her pocket and said softly, “I’ve decided it’s your turn to have this. Remember, you sent it to me a year ago?”
My eyes widened as I looked at her; I would never have remembered that I sent it to him. There was a small painting of Jesus wiping the tears from the eyes of a child, bearing the verse “God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
I was amazed once again, surely God has ways to provide for us, quietly and gently.
Okay, as we wrap this up, I leave you with a simple grilled meatball recipe. It’s the recipe my mom always used when I was a girl, and yes, it’s a perfect way to show someone you love and care. It’s okay to serve something as simple as grilled meatballs, you don’t have to wait until you have the most fancy dish to share! As Daniel said, “You will do so much more for others if you don’t wait to do it until everything is perfect!
3 kilograms of venison or ground beef
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons liquid smoke
In a large bowl, combine the ground venison, milk, oats, cracker crumbs, eggs, and spices.
Stir until the meat mixture is well combined.
Shape the meat into 1 1/2-inch balls.
Place balls on cookie sheets and bake at 350°F until no longer pink inside, about 15-20 minutes.
Mix ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and liquid smoke.
Place the meatballs in a roasting pan and cover with barbecue sauce.