The Healing Jar

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Chapter 48

  Lancaster

  Mary Ruth’s skin tingled as she sat in the hospital waiting room with Jesse on one side of her and Lenore’s parents on the other side. It was hard not to think about the last time she and her family were here. She looked up toward the ceiling as though seeking some answers. There’d been too many tragedies and accidents this past year—Willis, Sara’s brother, and now Lenore. It was difficult not to question God.

  Mary Ruth closed her eyes briefly, rubbing her eyelids as she reflected on the events of the afternoon. As soon as Lenore had been transported to the hospital by ambulance, Jesse had come by Mary Ruth’s place, since she lived the closest. Then they’d called one of her drivers and asked him to drive them over to Paradise to tell Ivan and Yvonne what had happened. After that, they had all ridden in Stan’s vehicle to the hospital.

  Soon after they got there, Mary Ruth called Sara at the flower shop. Sara said she would let Brad know about the accident and they would be there as soon as possible.

  “I can’t stand the waiting.” Yvonne got up and began to pace. “I need to know how our daughter is doing.”

  Ivan patted the seat beside him. “We know her leg is broken and that she has multiple lacerations and a head injury. All we can do now is pray that she wakes up soon and doesn’t have a serious concussion.”

  “I don’t see why we have to wait here when we should be in Lenore’s hospital room, but if it makes you feel any better, I’ll sit down.” Yvonne lifted her hands as if in defeat and sank into the chair with a huff.

  Mary Ruth glanced at Jesse. He sat with his hands clasped together, staring at the floor. She wished she knew what thoughts were going through his head right now. He was obviously concerned about Lenore, although he hadn’t vocalized it. When he’d stopped at the house to tell Mary Ruth what happened to Lenore and explained how the fire department came and rescued her, Jesse’s voice had been thick with emotion.

  Mary Ruth had seen Jesse make a call on his cell phone and heard him leave a message for the girl who watched Cindy, explaining what had happened and asking her to stay with his daughter a little longer than usual today. Mary Ruth took it to mean he was in no hurry to rush home, and that he too wanted to be at the hospital to see how Lenore was doing.

  He’s in love with her. I’m certain of it. Why else would his expression be so somber right now?

  Ivan watched Jesse closely as the young man sat with his head down and eyes closed, as though praying. Did I misjudge this fellow? Could he have strong feelings for my daughter after all? Why else did Jesse seem so distraught when he sent a driver to our store to let us know what happened to Lenore and offer us a ride to the hospital?

  When Jesse opened his eyes, Ivan saw tears on his reddened cheeks. A man doesn’t cry over a woman unless he cares deeply for her. When I’m wrong about someone, I need to say I’m wrong.

  Ivan moved over to the chair next to Jesse and placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “I wanna thank you again for getting Lenore out of that well. It’s a miracle that you came along when you did. The call you made for help may have saved our daughter’s life.”

  “I do believe it was God’s timing, but I’m sure someone else would have come along if I hadn’t.” Jesse ran a jerky hand through his dark hair. “It scared me really bad when I found out she’d fallen into an abandoned well, and I sure hope she’s going to be okay. Lenore’s a wonderful person, and …” His voice trailed off.

  And you’re in lieb with her. Ivan didn’t voice his thoughts or make an attempt to finish Jesse’s sentence. There was no mistaking the look of love on Jesse’s face.

  Everyone remained quiet for a while, reading a magazine or looking out one of the windows in the room. The longer they waited, the harder it was to relax.

  Ivan was on the verge of going to the nurses’ station and asking if there had been any news, when Sara and Brad showed up. As soon as they entered the room, Sara hugged Mary Ruth and Yvonne, and then she asked Jesse to explain how Lenore had fallen into the old abandoned well.

  After Jesse shared the details, Brad visited with Lenore’s parents a bit before offering a prayer on Lenore’s behalf.

  A short time later, a nurse came in and said Lenore was awake and able to receive visitors. However, she said they would need to go in two at a time. It was decided that Ivan and Yvonne would go first, but after seeing the lines of worry on Jesse’s face, Ivan suggested he go in to see Lenore after them, and that his mother and Sara would be last. Brad could go too, of course, since he was an ordained minister and had hospital visiting privileges.

  Jesse sagged in his chair. “Danki. I’m anxious to see how Lenore is doing.” He looked at Ivan with a sober expression. “If I could have gone down into that well myself to rescue her, I surely would.”

  “I’m going to be fine, Mom and Dad, so there’s no need to worry. The doctor assured me that my concussion isn’t serious, and it’s just going to take some time for my leg to heal.”

  Mom took Lenore’s hand. “We’re so glad your injuries weren’t any worse.”

  “That old well needs to be boarded up for good,” Dad said. “And I, along with some men in your community, will see that it happens.” Deep wrinkles formed across his forehead. “It was an accident that never should have occurred.”

  “What were you doing over in that field anyway?” Mom asked.

  Lenore explained about the new boys leaving the schoolyard during afternoon recess. “When I called for them to come, they ran the other way.”

  Dad’s face tightened as his eyes narrowed. “I’ll make sure their parents find out about this. That kind of behavior cannot be tolerated—especially at school where younger ones observe. It might lead them to believe they can also break the rules.”

  “I’ll need a substitute teacher for a while. At least until I can get around well enough on my leg.”

  “No need to worry about that right now.” Mom patted Lenore’s arm. “We’re going to go now and let you visit with some of the others who are in the waiting room.” She gestured to the call button connected to a long cord, lying on one side of Lenore’s bed. “Be sure to let the nurses know when you need more pain medicine.”

  “I will.”

  After her parents left the room, Lenore closed her eyes. She was almost at the point of dozing off when she heard heavy footsteps moving across the floor. She opened her eyes and was surprised to see Jesse standing next to her bed.

  “I heard you were the one who got help for me,” she said, looking up at him with a heart full of gratitude. “Danki.”

  “You’re welcome. I only wish I would have been there sooner and could have prevented you from falling into the well.” He lowered himself into the nearby chair.

  “I was upset when those boys ran off, so that was probably the reason I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

  “They shouldn’t have been over in the field at all, and whoever owns that property should have made sure the well was properly covered.”

  “I agree, and so does my daed. He’s going to speak with the members of the school board and make sure they tend to the matter of the uncovered well.”

  “I’m certain those boys’ parents will be displeased and take proper action when they hear what their sons were up to.”

  Lenore heard the concern in Jesse’s voice, and also noticed the lines of worry on his handsome face. For one second, she thought he might have deep feelings for her, but she quickly dismissed that idea as clouded thinking caused by the pain medicine she’d been given.

  He reached over and gently placed his hand on hers. “There’s something I need to tell you, Lenore.”

  “What is it?”

  “I told you once that I still loved my wife, and that we couldn’t get married because I didn’t feel that kind of love for you.”

  Lenore barely looked at him. It hurt to be reminded of his rejection.

  “Well, I don’t feel that way anymore.”

&nb
sp; “You … you don’t?”

  “No, not at all.” Jesse slid his finger gently across the top of her hand, causing goose bumps to erupt on Lenore’s arm. “It took me a while to realize it, but for some time now I’ve been fighting my attraction to you.”

  “You have?”

  “Discovering you were down in that well and not knowing if you were seriously hurt made me realize how I would feel if you were to die, like Esther.”

  “How would you feel, Jesse?”

  “I’d feel sad and empty inside.” His voice lowered to a near whisper. “I care deeply for you, Lenore, and if you’ll give me a second chance, I’d like the opportunity to prove my love to you.”

  Lenore gazed into his dark eyes and smiled. “Of course I’m willing to give you another chance, because I love you too, Jesse Smucker.” She swallowed hard and brushed at the tears on her cheeks. “And I love that precious daughter of yours.”

  Lenore smiled as she thought of the heart-shaped rock again. I think I may show that unusual stone to Jesse the first time he comes to call on me.

  Epilogue

  Six months later

  Lenore’s heart swelled with joy as she and Jesse stood before their bishop in preparation for taking their marriage vows. Thankfully, her broken leg had healed well and she didn’t have a limp.

  In a solemn tone of voice, the bishop looked at Jesse and said, “Can you confess, brother, that you accept this our sister as your wife, and that you will not leave her until death separates you? And do you believe that this is from the Lord and that you have come thus far by your faith and prayers?”

  Jesse replied, “Yes.”

  The bishop directed the next question to Lenore. “Can you confess, sister, that you accept this our brother as your husband, and that you will not leave him until death separates you? And do you believe that this is from the Lord and that you have come thus far by your faith and prayers?”

  Swallowing against the sob rising in her throat, Lenore answered affirmatively.

  Bishop John asked a few more well-chosen questions, then placed Lenore’s right hand in Jesse’s right hand, putting his own hands above and beneath their hands. “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you together and give His rich blessing upon you and be merciful to you. I wish you the blessings of God for a good beginning, a steadfast middle time of your marriage, and may you hold out until a blessed end, through Jesus Christ. Amen.”

  Jesse, Lenore, and the bishop bowed their knees, and then he spoke again. “Go forth in the name of the Lord. You are now man and wife.”

  Before returning to their seats, Lenore glanced at the women’s side of the room, where female members of her and Jesse’s family were seated. Grandma, smiling widely while holding Cindy in her lap, sat between Lenore’s mother and Sara. Jesse’s parents and brothers had come down from Kentucky, and his mother sat next to Lenore’s mom. Michelle, although not related by blood, sat on the other side of Sara, holding her and Ezekiel’s baby girl.

  On the other end of the room, several men were representative of both the bride’s and groom’s families—Jesse’s father and four brothers as well as Lenore’s dad and her two brothers.

  Herschel, Sara’s father, and his parents were also in attendance, as were all of Ezekiel’s family and many other friends Lenore had known since she was a girl. This day was the most joyous occasion of her life—one she would remember for the rest of her days.

  After the wedding—which was being held inside a large tent in Grandma’s yard—Lenore, Jesse, and Cindy would take up residence in Grandma’s house. It was the perfect arrangement for all concerned. Grandma had told Lenore this morning during breakfast that someday after she was gone, the house would belong to her and Jesse.

  For a few moments, Lenore felt a sense of heaviness in her chest. What a shame Grandpa couldn’t be here today to witness my marriage. Grandpa always said someday the right man would come along, and he was correct. Lenore felt sure Jesse was the husband God had chosen for her.

  She smiled inwardly, thinking about the heart-shaped rock she’d placed in the center of the corner table, known as the Eck, where she and Jesse would sit during the wedding meal today. She’d shown it to him a few days after she’d gotten out of the hospital, when he and Cindy came to Grandma’s house to visit Lenore. When she’d explained about what she’d heard concerning finding a heart-shaped rock, Jesse smiled and said, “I think you should have shown it to me sooner.”

  Including the rock as part of their table decorations would be a reminder of their undying love.

  As they took their seats again, Jesse offered Lenore a heart-melting smile, and she gave him one in return. They listened to the other ministers speak, and one of them quoted Psalm 147:3: “‘He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’”

  Lenore closed her eyes briefly and prayed, Dear Lord, thank You for the prayer jars Michelle, Sara, and I discovered. The scriptures, prayers, and personal notes my aunt Rhoda wrote helped all three of us in some way, and they drew us closer to You. Thank You for Your healing touch during the times we were hurting. Please guide and direct me in the days ahead, and may all that I say and do be pleasing unto You. And I thank You for the privilege of becoming Jesse’s wife and the joy of being Cindy’s new mother.

  When Lenore’s prayer ended, she opened her eyes, keeping her focus on the man who had just become her husband for life. Although they would no doubt be faced with various trials over the years, there would be plenty of good times too. Together, and with God’s help, Lenore and Jesse would deal joyfully with whatever might come their way.

  Recipe for Lenore’s Pineapple Philly Pie

  Ingredients:

  1 (20 ounce) can pineapple pie filling

  1 (9 inch) unbaked pastryshell

  1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

  ½ cup sugar

  ½ teaspoon salt

  2 eggs

  ½ cup milk

  ½ teaspoon vanilla

  Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread pineapple mixture over bottom of unbaked pastry shell. Put cream cheese in bowl and cream until soft and smooth. Slowly add sugar and salt. Mix in eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Blend in milk and vanilla. Pour cream cheese mixture over pineapple and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake for an additional 40 minutes. Cool before serving.

  Discussion Questions

  1. Lenore became discouraged and began to feel frustrated about her future and her desire to be married and have a family of her own. Have you ever become impatient with God’s timing and plan for your life and tried to work things out your own way?

  2. Michelle faced a number of major changes in her life, including becoming Amish, getting established in the Plain community, and, later, moving to New York where she didn’t know anyone. Have you had to move a lot or dealt with numerous life changes? How did you grow or adjust to each situation?

  3. Jesse suffered a great loss and had trouble moving on. Although he still loved his deceased wife and was not in love with Lenore, Jesse saw the need to move on for his daughter, Cindy’s, sake because he felt that she needed a mother to care for her. Jesse also needed someone to cook and keep house for him. Can you understand his indecision about marrying Lenore? Have you or someone you know been in a similar situation? How did you handle it? Would you marry someone for the sake of convenience if you did not feel any love for them?

  4. Lenore’s father, Ivan, was frustrated with Jesse after he broke his engagement to Lenore. He felt that Jesse should have been honest with her about his feelings from the beginning and not led Lenore to believe he was in love with her. As parents, we don’t like seeing our children, even as adults, be rejected by someone. What are some ways we can help our children deal with the hurts they face in life?

  5. Although devastated by the loss of Willis, Mary Ruth felt assured that she would see him again. She also took comfort in knowing her beloved husband was with the
Lord and no longer suffering. Have you lost someone dear to you? Are you assured you will see them again? Do you know the Lord personally and have confidence that you’ll be with Him when you pass from this world?

  6. Brad was a pastor, dedicated to preaching God’s Word and helping others. Sara had taken on the role of a pastor’s wife. Can you think of ways these responsibilities are fulfilling as well as stressful? Have you been praying for your pastor and pastor’s family? What are some things you can do to show your love and appreciation of the clergy and their families in the church you attend?

  7. Lenore was confused by her feelings for Jesse after he admitted he was not in love with her. She enjoyed spending time with Mark, but her heart continued to lean toward Jesse. How did she figure out what to do? Have you ever been in a situation where you couldn’t see clearly which direction the Lord was leading? What did you do about it?

  8. Ezekiel had to confront his parents with his decision to move to New York and begin a new vocation. He needed to tell his dad he wasn’t happy working in the greenhouse and wanted to pursue his own interests. Have you ever been in Ezekiel’s situation or in his parents’ situation? Should parents dictate what grown children should do with their lives or expect them to live where they want them to?

  9. Michelle was separated from her bothers at an early age. Can you imagine her feeling of loss and separation and the desire to see them again? Have you experienced anything like that? How did you cope?

  10. Lenore loved to teach, but it became harder for her as time went on. The stress seemed more difficult to handle as she grew older and dreamed of becoming a wife and mother. Do you have a job you are dissatisfied with? Is the Lord leading you in a new direction or wanting you to learn some valuable lessons along the way?