Hymn of Praise

by Amy Clipston

  Jay stood and strode toward the door. Then he stopped, spun, and faced his father. “Danki for helping me see the light.”

  Dat shook his head. “That wasn’t me. I’m sure it was God.”

  “I know you’re right.” Jay nodded, and then he rushed to his stall to create a gift for Sharon. He wanted to show her how much he cared.

  * * *

  “I think everything is ready,” Sharon said as she looked at the tables set for their eight guests. “I hope they’ll like the parmesan chicken with rice.”

  “I’m sure they will.” Alice’s arms encircled her shoulders. “All the food looks perfect.”

  “Ya, it does.” Cal grinned at her.

  Sharon let her gaze linger on Cal. He’d been grinning nonstop since he arrived, and she couldn’t figure out why. It was as if he knew something she didn’t, and it was really annoying. Why wouldn’t he share his secret with her?

  “They’re here,” Mamm announced as she came into the kitchen. “I heard the cars coming up the driveway. Let’s get ready to greet them.” She touched Sharon’s back. “You did a wunderbaar job on the chicken and rice. I’m sure it’s going to be a hit.”

  “I hope so.”

  Mamm touched her cheek. “I know you’re still upset about Jay, even angry now after his rejection on Sunday. But everything’s going to be fine. Just trust God.”

  Sharon nodded, and then she turned toward the door as Ruby Sue led the guests inside. “Good evening. Welcome to our home.”

  * * *

  Jay climbed the back steps of Sharon’s house. He’d hoped to be there early, but he had to wait for his gift to dry.

  He glanced down at the birdhouse he’d created with love and care. He’d designed the rectangular box with the sloping roof to keep the rain off the birds. He hoped this little gift would go beyond his apology, would show her that he wanted to try again, and he’d do better this time. He would cherish her, be patient—and stop being so critical.

  He reached the top step and heard voices floating out through the open windows. He stopped when he heard her sweet voice carrying out from the kitchen.

  “This next hymn is called ‘Das Loblied,’ and it’s a hymn of praise we sing on Sundays,” she said.

  He set the birdhouse on the small table on the porch and then pulled open the screen door and walked into the mudroom, where he stilled and listened as Sharon explained how a song leader would start each line and then the rest of the congregation would join in. Then she shared the translation of the words in English. When she began to sing, Jay stepped into the kitchen and stood quietly. Her voice was like a balm to his soul. He took in her beautiful face and lyrical voice.

  He knew at that moment that he loved her, and he needed her in his life. God had led him to her, and he prayed for the hundredth time today that she would allow him to be her boyfriend again.

  Sharon looked at him, and their gazes locked as she continued to sing. He smiled and raised a hand in greeting, but her expression remained serious.

  Then he glanced at the Englishers sitting at the tables, and they all seemed mesmerized by her voice. They listened with what seemed like reverence, as if they were worshipping God as they heard the holy words. He was reminded of what the couple in the store told him about their experience here.

  And Jay now saw for himself what Sharon had been trying to tell him—she was glorifying God and sharing the gospel by singing these hymns. She was doing what they were called to do—serving God in all things.

  Jay looked at Cal and found him smiling at him. He nodded, and his best friend returned the gesture. Then Cal joined in the singing, which prompted Andrew, Darlene, Alice, and Ruby Sue to join in too.

  Sharon turned to Jay, and he gestured for her to follow him outside. She pursed her lips but then slipped away from the group and came toward him.

  His body trembled with a mixture of worry and hope as she followed him out to the porch. He hoped he could remember the speech he’d practiced during the ride to her house.

  She spun toward him and slammed her hands on her small hips as she glared at him. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to apologize.” He held up his hands as if to surrender. “You were right. You’re doing nothing wrong by singing ‘Das Loblied’ to the Englishers. I’ve realized you are doing God’s work. I could tell they were moved tonight. The hymn was touching their hearts.”

  She lifted one eyebrow. “So now you’ve decided I’m not sinning when I sing?”

  “No, you’re not. And I’m sorry. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.” He sucked in a breath. “I’ve been so wrong, and I’m embarrassed. The truth is mei daadi was very conservative. But even if he would have disagreed with singing our hymn of praise for Englishers, I realize now he would have been wrong. We’re called to share the gospel.”

  She nodded. “I agree.”

  “And I’ve missed you. This time without you has been torture, and I’m sorry for hurting you. I want to start over. I want to make it up to you and show you that I’m no longer the critical dummkopp I was.”

  He reached for her hands, and she allowed him to take them. “The truth is I love you, Sharon. I can’t imagine my life without you. If you give me another chance, I promise I’ll cherish you and treat you right. I’ll show you that I can do better. I’ll do my best to never hurt you again.”

  Her eyes misted as he went on.

  “You once asked me if I ever felt led to do something.” He took a deep breath. “I absolutely have. In fact, I’ve felt God leading me to a future with you.”

  She took a shuddering breath, and then a tear rolled down her cheek. He released one of her hands, and she quickly wiped the tear away.

  He released her other hand and picked up the birdhouse, then handed it to her. “I made you a gift. I was late because I had to wait for the finish to dry. It’s not much, but I thought you might—”

  “I love it.” She turned it over in her hands. “It’s the most schee birdhouse I’ve ever seen.”

  “I’m so glad you like it. While I made it, I imagined that one day we’ll have a haus of our own. But for now, this one will have to do.”

  Another tear fell. “Danki, Jay. It will be beautiful in my garden. I’ve missed you so much.” She gently placed it back on the table, then dabbed her cheek.

  “Will you give me another chance?” He searched her eyes.

  “Ya, of course.”

  “Danki.” He stepped closer, then leaned down and kissed her. When their lips touched, bliss rolled through him, setting his nerve endings aflame. When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers. “Ich liebe dich, Sharon. I’ll cherish you always.”

  She smiled up at him. “I love you too. Will you come back inside and sing with us?”

  He took her hand in his. “I’d be honored to.”

  * * *

  Sharon smiled as she sat on the glider beside Jay Sunday afternoon. The rest of their friends surrounded them as they ate chocolate chip cookies and drank iced tea while enjoying the bright, sunny afternoon. She looked out at her father’s green, rolling pastures and listened to the birds singing in nearby trees.

  “I think we should expand our singing ministry,” Alice said as she sat on a rocker next to Cal’s.

  “What do you mean?” Andrew asked. He’d plopped down on the steps.

  “We should invite more people to join us.”

  “That’s a gut idea,” Jay said.

  Sharon smiled at him. “I agree.” She glanced toward the birdhouse Jay made for her. He’d hung it on a tree before he left Thursday night. The birdhouse was the perfect addition to her rows of colorful flowers. She laughed when she spotted a cardinal sitting on the roof. “Look. There’s a bird on the haus you made.”

  Jay glanced at it and smiled. “I’m so glad.”

  Sharon leaned her head on his shoulder and breathed in his familiar scent. She’d been so taken aback when Jay appeared in the kitchen Thursday
. But that’s when she realized why Cal had been grinning at her—he’d known Jay was going to join them.

  After their talk on the porch, Jay had come inside and sung with them. He also stayed after their friends left, and they talked on the porch until late in the evening.

  “I’m going to invite Dave to join us,” Alice said. “I think singing would help him heal after what he’s been through.”

  “I agree,” Darlene said. “I’ll try to think of more people we can ask.”

  “Hey,” Jay whispered in Sharon’s ear, sending a shiver dancing up her back.

  She looked up at him. “What?”

  “Ich liebe dich,” he said in a low voice.

  “I love you too.”

  Jay gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and she felt as if she were floating on a cloud. She was so grateful that Martha had been right, that Jay had realized he’d been wrong about her singing ministry.

  Most of all, she was grateful that God had led Jay back to her.

  Discussion Questions

  Jay is furious when he learns Sharon and the rest of their friends are singing an Amish hymn of praise for the Englishers. Do you think his feelings are valid? Why or why not?

  Sharon is heartbroken when Jay breaks up with her. Have you ever had your heart broken by someone you loved? How did you cope with your heartbreak? What Bible verses helped you cope?

  Jay’s father makes an analogy between Jay’s criticism of Sharon and the way Jay criticizes his own woodworking. Do you think this analogy is valid? Why or why not?

  Which character can you identify with the most? Which character seemed to carry the most emotional stake in the story? Jay, Sharon, or someone else?

  At the end of the story, Jay realizes he misunderstood the effect singing the Amish hymn for Englishers could have. What do you think happened throughout the story that contributed to his changing his mind?

  What role did the friends’ singings play in the relationships throughout the story?

  Acknowledgments

  As always, I’m grateful for my loving family, including my mother, Lola Goebelbecker; my husband, Joe; and my sons, Zac and Matt.

  Special thanks to my mother who graciously proofread the draft and corrected my hilarious typos.

  I’m also grateful for my special Amish friend who patiently answers my endless stream of questions. You’re a blessing in my life.

  Thank you to my wonderful church family at Morning Star Lutheran in Matthews, North Carolina, for your encouragement, prayers, love, and friendship. You all mean so much to my family and me.

  Thank you to Zac Weikal and the fabulous members of my Bakery Bunch! I’m so grateful for your friendship and your excitement about my books. You all are awesome!

  To my agent, Natasha Kern—I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, advice, and friendship. You are a tremendous blessing in my life.

  Thank you to my amazing editor, Jocelyn Bailey, for your friendship and guidance. I’m grateful to each and every person at HarperCollins Christian Publishing who helped make this book a reality.

  I’m grateful to editor Jean Bloom, who helped me polish and refine the story. Jean, you are a master at connecting the dots and filling in the gaps. I’m so happy we can continue to work together!

  Thank you most of all to God—for giving me the inspiration and the words to glorify you. I’m grateful and humbled you’ve chosen this path for me.

  Lyric Credits

  “The Old Rugged Cross” was written by George Bennard in 1913.

  “This Little Light of Mine” was written by Harry Dixon Loes in the 1920s.

  “Das Loblied” (“Hymn of Praise”) is a centuries old traditional Amish hymn found in the Ausbund and translated into English by John Beiler in 1933.

  About the Author

  Dan Davis Photography

  Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, Amish Homestead, and Amish Marketplace series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats.

  Visit her online at AmyClipston.com

  Facebook: @AmyClipstonBooks

  Twitter: @AmyClipston

  Instagram: @amy_clipston