Want To Be Amish?
Jul 24th, 2008 by Sylvia
As many of my friends know, my husband and children and I lived in a Conservative Amish community for several years and ran a business. We got to see first hand all the godly attributes and all the foibles of the Amish. We made some close friends while there among the Amish and were generally accepted into their community.
It never ceases to amaze me when I hear a young woman or man say to me that they want to live like the Amish or Mennonite. Most people only know that the Amish have something that they want. They have traits and practices that appeal to many Christians. Sometimes it is the agrarian lifestyle that people want to have, sometimes just the self- sufficiency or community. At any rate, I have always thought that the life that women seek could be found right where they are. I’m not the only one who realizes this, apparently. Here is what is reportedly in the introduction of the 2006 Holmes County Calender:
“Many of you would like to live more like the Amish — so if you admire their faith — strengthen yours. If you admire their family life — spend more time with your family. If you admire their sense of commitment — deepen yours. If you admire their sense of community spirit — build one. If you admire their quality merchandise — make quality. If you admire their humility — be humble. If you admire their unselfishness — put others first. If you admire their honesty — be honest. If you admire their willingness to help those in need — help the needy. If you admire their land stewardship — take care of yours. If you admire their deep character and enduring values — live them.”
If anyone has any thoughts on this…
I am fascinated by the amish. I long for the simplicity. No TV to suck your time away. Families actually getting together to talk and play games. Driving by buggy so that you actually appreciate the world around you and are not zipping down the road being rude to other drivers. Supporting your local community- not being able to drive to the local megamart so you shope in your town. Your neighbors pitching in to help you in a crunch. Not needing insurance because your family and community support you. This all seems so much like the early church. I also love the way they work the land and the simple crafts. Using minimum amounts of electricity and chemicals and petroleum is a great way to steward God’s creation. Also, farming with horses limits the huge corporate farms that are destroying rural america. Is there any way to get all this without being amish?
Dear Peaceful Heart
I think everything you listed is doable without being Amish. Some of what you listed would indeed be easier to obtain if one lived in a community of people who were also striving for those things. But being Amish isn’t a prerequisite for living the way one wants to live. The prerequisite for that is a desire and the determination to get out there and make it happen.
Love
Sylvia