Squealing tires and a sudden crashing sound demanded David’s attention. “Oh, no! An accident up on the road. Come, Uriah. Quickly!”
He took off in a sprint up the driveway toward the road, with Uriah close on his tail along with several of his other employees.
“Can you see anything, Preacher?” Simon called as he rounded the corner to the road.
David ran to where one Amish man lay, his hat crushed beneath him, his body contorted in an unnatural position. David put his head to the man’s chest to listen for a heartbeat. He looked up into the face of his best friend. “Jon? Jonathan, no! No. Please, Gott. Please let Jon be all right. He has to be.”
David looked around, surveying the mangled mess of a buggy. A blue sedan sat on the opposite side of the road, a dent in the fender evidencing the crash as well. Its owner now spoke with a police officer. A horse whinnied in the distance until a shot rang out through the air. Then silence. A few seconds later, the sound of more sirens pierced his ears.
“Bishop Saul is gone.” Simon stated in an anguished voice, just above a whisper.
“Nee, he can’t be. Ach, Gott.” David looked on helplessly as the emergency medical technicians came near, forcing him out of the way.
“This man’s gone too.” One of the EMTs stated.
“Jon? Gone? No. No!” David couldn’t help the rush of tears. His dearest companion could not be gone. Jon had been with him through thick and thin. His listening ear. His shoulder to cry on. His greatest supporter. “Gott, why? Please! No, Jonathan. No!”
David hung his head and wept, not caring who observed. Ach, first he’d lost Michaela to another man. And now, Saul and Jon were gone too?
“Ach, Gott. This is too much.”
He’d thought that life wouldn’t be the same since he’d lost Michaela, and it hadn’t. There were days when he thought he’d go crazy with grief. But he still continued to breathe. The days still flew by. Time still marched on. Life continued. Whether he felt like living it or not.
But he knew there would be a gaping hole in his heart without his best friend by his side. Life would never hold the same pleasure again. Never.
And there wasn’t a single thing he could do about it.
~
David walked around in a dense fog the next couple of days. Sadness engulfed him, punctuated his every breath. He was certain Jon’s death created a physical hole in his heart. It sure felt like it.
Nathan, one of the neighboring bishops, who oversaw the affairs of several districts, came to officiate the funerals for Saul and Jonathan.
Fortunately, Michaela hadn’t made it to their funerals. Ach, it would surely have been too much for his heart to handle. At least Der Herr had spared him of that.
Bishop Nathan also planned to supervise the choosing and ordaining of the community’s next bishop. Who could rival the bold leadership of Bishop Saul?
“David, may I have a few words with you?” Nathan pulled him aside before the meeting started.
“Jah, sure.”
They stepped into the mudroom of Minister Miller’s house.
Nathan’s expression was sober. “I have spoken with the other leaders and all of the congregants. They are recommending you for the position of bishop. Unanimously.”
David’s mouth hung open. “But Minister Miller has more experience. He’s been a preacher since I was just a bu. Surely he’d make a better bishop. And I am unmarried yet and have no family. No one else was even nominated?” He couldn’t believe Nathan’s words.
“The g’may has spoken, including Minister Miller. They are aware of your marital status. And they seem to think that will be a temporary circumstance.”
Temporary circumstance? He’d been single for two years now. As far as he was concerned, there was nothing temporary about his circumstances.
No Ausbund? No searching for the Bible verse within? Ach, what kind of an ordination was this?
“The people are united. This is a gut thing, ain’t so?”
David nodded.
Perhaps, he should have been grateful for Nathan’s declaration, but he wasn’t. Not with the death of two of the dearest people he loved most still heavy on his heart and mind.
His thoughts catapulted back to a conversation he’d had with Jonathan. He’d been so confident that David would make a gut minister. What would he say about the position of a bishop? David squeezed his eyes closed and Jon’s smiling face filled his vision.
David looked at Nathan and nodded. “I accept. With Der Herr’s help, I will do this thing.” Perhaps Der Herr was using this to turn his focus elsewhere.
“Sehr gut.” Nathan smiled and shook David’s hand. “I will announce it to the g’may at meeting.”
~
David stared at the open Bible on his desk, when a knock sounded on his office door.
“Bishop David, Katie Rose Kauffman is here to see you.” Phoebe said.
“Please send her in.”
A moment later, Jon’s widow walked in. Her countenance still downtrodden. No doubt, Jon’s death had been just as difficult for her as it had for David. Perhaps even more. Ach, his heart went out to her.
“How are you and the boppli doing?” David smiled gently. He thought of Jon’s only son, Seth, who had been born with a genetic defect that resulted in the boppli missing a partial limb. He’d never be able walk like the other kinner.
“The boppli is gut. I wanted to let you know that I’ve decide to return home to my family in Missouri.”
“Ach, you’re sure?”
“Jah. I think it would be best. My mamm is there and she’ll help me with the little one.”
“Katie Rose, if there is anything you need, anything at all, just ask.” But he knew she probably wouldn’t.
“Ach, David, you are so kind. Jon thought the world of you.”
He moved to his desk and pulled open a drawer. He reached for an envelope and handed it to her. “Take this. Please.”
She stared at the envelope, then opened it. “This is a thousand dollars, I cannot take this.” She held out the envelope to him.
He shook his head. “Please. It is a small way I can honor Jon. And if you need anything else…”
“This is very kind of you. Thank you.”
He put a hand on her forearm. “Please keep in touch. Send a letter once in a while.”
“I’ll try.” She nodded and tears glistened in her eyes.
“Goodbye, Katie Rose.” He engulfed her in a hug. Most likely, this would be the last time he’d ever see Jon’s widow. One more piece of Jon slipping from his hands. He fought back his own emotions. “May Der Herr go with you.”
“And may He be with you also. You will be a gut bishop. Jon would have thought so for sure and certain.”
“Ach, denki for saying that.”
David watched as Jon’s widow disappeared. He sighed. Somehow her words had brought a small measure of comfort. Jah, Jon was gone now. But he’d always be grateful that Der Herr had placed him in his life. They’d had a special friendship indeed and he’d never forget the memories they’d made together. He’d always count his friend as one of the greatest blessings Der Herr had ever given him.
~
Just after Katie Rose left, David had another visitor enter his office. Bishop Nathan.
“I have sensed that you could use a listening ear.” Nathan offered a half smile. “Want to talk?”
“Jah. Please, have a seat.” He gestured to the chair across his desk.
David noticed Phoebe at the door and he raised a brow in question.
“Preacher, I mean Bishop David, is there anything you’d like me to bring in?” she asked.
“Some tea would be gut. Denki. Just knock on the door before coming in.”
Phoebe nodded, then quietly slipped out.
“You have lost much,” Nathan stated.
“Jah, I have.”
“How are you holding up?”
David chuckled bitterly. “I’m not. Gott is
holding me up. I have no strength left of my own.”
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Nathan briefly squeezed David’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. Sometimes it felt like this man of God could see into his soul. “Gott is enough, sohn.”
God is enough. Such simple words, yet so profound. God is enough.
“Jah, He is.” David sighed. “I just wish I understood why all these things are happening to me.”
“You will. Someday. But Gott did not ask us to understand Him. He asked us to trust Him.” The wise man scratched his beard. “Do you trust Him, David?”
Phoebe’s knock on the door interrupted them briefly. David thanked her for the drinks and offered one to the bishop. She disappeared from sight in short order, leaving them alone once again.
David responded. “I do. But I feel like I’ve been dealt a bad hand.”
The bishop chuckled. “A bad hand, huh? You haven’t been gambling, have you?”
“What? No.”
“I know your meaning.” His gaze surveyed David’s office, and beyond the glass door. “I’d say Der Herr has given you a pretty gut hand. Not many have the wealth you possess.”
“Ach, that’s just the thing. I’d trade it all in a heartbeat to have Jon or mei fraa back.”
“Let Gott be enough for you, David. Trust Him.” The bishop stood and stared straight into David’s eyes. “You are the leader of this district now. The g’may will look to you for answers. You are not the only one who has lost much. They have as well. They need your strong leadership now more than ever. Will you step up to the plate?”
David swallowed, but firmed his resolve. “I will. But sometimes I feel like I won’t be adequate.”
“Gut. Remember this. Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established. Feelings will come and go, David. You just need to do what needs to be done even if you don't feel it. You will feel it eventually, but you just need to do it right now. If you don't, you'll find yourself in a never-ending pit of despair and it will be even more difficult to crawl out.
“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. Let God be your all, David.”
David watched the bishop leave, grateful for his guidance.
TWENTY-FOUR
Beth awoke with a start. She looked around the quiet bedroom, shrouded in darkness, as her heartbeat slowed to normal. She moved her hand over the quilt and felt the place next to her. Uriah slept on his side, soft snores escaping as he indulged in peaceful rest.
Good, it was only a dream.
She laid back down and snuggled close to her husband’s back, slipping her arm between his side and his strong arm. He instinctively pulled her hand close to his chest, all the while continuing to snore.
It was times like this she didn’t mind living in one of the smaller houses in their district. It was still a two-story home but it only had three bedrooms – the master bedroom in the upper loft and two smaller bedrooms below. It was a decent home as far as rentals go, for sure and for certain, but if she and Uri were to ever have a large family with a lot of kinner, they’d need more room. But that hadn’t happened yet. And only Der Herr knew if it ever would.
They’d eventually need to purchase a place of their own. With Uriah’s current salary, that wasn’t likely to happen any time soon. Not that he didn’t get paid a decent wage, he did.
But that was okay. She hadn’t married for money, she married for love.
She pressed her lips against his back and inhaled the familiar scent that exclusively belonged to her beloved. Indeed, she’d been blessed with one of the strongest men of the community. And he wasn’t too bad to look at either. Strong in body and spirit with unmatched integrity.
Except for maybe the bishop, David King. David possessed all those qualities and more, and he was the leader of their people. The perfect leader, some would say. He always knew how to lead the community. He led with authority and grace and he obviously had God’s blessings on his life. His large ranch and house evidenced that. He owned the finest horses – the finest of everything, actually. He was kind and compassionate. He was truly God’s man.
But she wouldn’t think of him right now, even though that proved difficult in light of her dream. Why was he in it? And what could it possibly have meant? And what of her husband, Uriah?
Thank you, Lord. Thank you that Uri is still here by my side. I don’t know what I’d do without him.
She gently loosened her hand from Uri’s grip and turned over on her side. She took a deep breath, her eyelids finally draping shut. Hopefully, her sleep would remain uninterrupted until morning.
And their handsome bishop would stay out of her dreams.
~
Beth wove her hands through her husband’s hair as she pondered how to go about bringing up what was on her mind. “Uri…?”
He turned to face her and patted his legs. At his prompt, she moved around the chair and sat in his lap. He pulled her close and gently pressed his lips to hers. “You needed something, lieb?”
“Ach, jah.” She blew out a breath. Might as well just come out and say it. “We’ve been married nearly four years now.”
He smiled and brought her hand to his lips. “We have.”
“Well, I…it seems everyone else has had at least a couple bopplin by now. Do you suppose something could be wrong?”
He shook his head. “Beth, you know Der Herr is in charge of these things. If it is His will that we have bopplin, He will make it so.”
“But, what if—”
“Ach, Beth. We will not take matters into our own hands. We will trust Gott.” He moved, prompting her to stand. Had she offended him somehow? Either way, the discussion was clearly over.
Jah, they would trust God for sure and certain. But it seemed like they hardly even shared their marriage bed as of late. God was all-powerful, but they probably should be doing their part too. But since it had been four years, well...
Beth had wanted to ask Uri about seeing a doctor. What if there was something simple that was preventing her from conceiving? A vitamin deficiency, maybe? Something that might have a simple cure.
Perhaps she would make a secret trip and have a chat with the local midwife. Maybe she could offer Beth some advice.
TWENTY-FIVE
Two years later…
David hadn’t quite felt like himself lately. Something had changed in his relationship with Der Herr, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was. When he picked up his Bible, something seemed to be missing. His mind didn’t connect with the Scriptures like it always had in the past.
Perhaps he should take some time off for some recreation. Introspection. But, did bishops ever get time off? Nee, it was a full-time job. Twenty-four hours a day. Seven days a week. All. Year. Long.
Not that he minded serving his people. Nee, he loved that aspect.
Well, perhaps at the very least, he could lie low on his ranch for a short while. Maybe delegate some of his own responsibilities to other men for a time. Jah, that was what he’d do.
He smiled. Time off sounded really gut. He’d start today.
“Are you ready to go, Bishop?” Joe grinned, no doubt excited for the upcoming auction.
And that was the thing. Not even the auction sounded all that exciting to him anymore. Ach, what was wrong with him?
“I’m not going to auction this time.”
Joe’s jaw dropped. “But you’re the leader. You always go. Everyone is going.”
“I want to relax at home. You will do fine without me. Enoch has a gut eye. He will be a big help.”
“Bishop David, are you feeling okay?”
He chuckled, but it felt forced. “I’m fine, Joe. Now go, before your ride leaves without you.”
Wouldn’t it be
nice to have quiet at home? With mostly everyone gone, he could spend his time as he pleased. Maybe he should skip out on the auction more often. But not too often, though. As the leader of this district and now—thanks to Bishop Nathan’s delegation—a couple neighboring ones, he was expected to be there.
But for now, he would do something he’d been wanting to do for a long time – go for a nice long ride on his property.
“Simon, will you saddle my riding horse, please? I’d like to go for a ride.”
Simon nodded. “By yourself?”
“Jah, I plan to enjoy my quiet time. I want to check the flock.” He lifted his binoculars. “Maybe I’ll even spot some deer or wild turkey in the woods.”
Simon smiled. “Ach, there are many beautiful birds out today too.”
“That’s right. No doubt, there are many lovely things to see. God’s handiwork is amazing, ain’t so?”
“Yes, Bishop. Amazing indeed.” He brought the horse out of the barn. “All ready.”
~
Beth moved to the window and soaked in the sun’s rays. It would be a gorgeous day indeed. With Uriah gone to the auction, along with most of the men in the district, she’d have the entire weekend to herself. She’d already spent the early morning baking and cleaning, so leisure was in order now. A luxurious bubble bath sounded really nice.
She opened the door to the balcony and smiled as the sun caressed her face in warmth. Ach, it felt so gut! That was what she’d do. She’d bathe on the balcony.
The trees that encompassed their land gave them complete seclusion on the backside of the house. The only way someone would see was if they came tromping through their woods, which was highly unlikely. It hadn’t even happened once in the five years they’d lived here.
Beth pulled the galvanized tub out onto the balcony and proceeded to fill it with warm water. The sheer excitement nearly made her giddy. Had it been that long since she’d indulged herself in a guilty pleasure? Apparently so.
~
David slowly maneuvered his horse through the woods, silently thanking Der Herr for the blessings He’d bestowed upon him. He inhaled the fragrance of the cedar trees and the abundant foliage that made up his private haven.
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