Mending Fences
Page 26
One hymnal opened. No lot. Second hymnal opened. No lot.
Luke glanced across the barn and caught Izzy’s panicked look. He shook his head slightly, to reassure her. Not a chance, he silently mouthed. Third hymnal opened. No lot.
Oh no. Oh Lord, please no. In case you need reminding, I am barely gaining some respectability. In fact, it’s only because Izzy finally agreed to marry me that my reputation has improved a little among the church. Please, Lord, not me. Please don’t make me do it.
David motioned to both Luke and Teddy Zook to step forward and claim their hymnals. Lord, pardon my advice giving, but Teddy’s the man you want. Teddy Zook would be an outstanding deacon. In fact, he was the one Luke had nominated to David. Teddy Zook had a big heart, a great reservoir of patience, and an admirable tolerance for difficult people. Luke had none of those qualities.
He let Teddy reach out to pick a hymnal first, praying—pleading—all the while for him to grab the one with the piece of paper in it. Teddy picked up one hymnal, closed his eyes, and then put it down again. He picked up the other one. At that moment, Luke expected Teddy to open the hymnal and find that slim piece of paper, but no. Teddy didn’t budge. Holding the old book against his chest, he waited for Luke to pick up the last hymnal. David cleared his throat, a gentle nudge.
Luke’s heart started pounding, so loudly he was sure everyone in the church could hear it. A drumbeat, an audible warning.
A barn swallow darted overhead and disappeared into the rafters. He’d never envied a bird before, but at this moment, he wished he could sprout wings and fly out through the hay door. His eyes shifted to the open barn door. Could he make a break for it? Run for his life? No. That was the old Luke. He was the new and improved Luke. A happily married Luke, who wouldn’t dare embarrass his Izzy with such childish behavior. She told him once that she had married him because of his potential. What kind of potential was he showing now? A pathetic lack of potential, that’s what kind.
He needed to man up. When he became baptized, he knew this day might come. He sucked in a deep breath, let it out. He should do this. With God’s help, he could do this. But he did send one more silent, begging prayer upward. Not me, Lord. Not me. Don’t forget what I promised Amos, Lord, just before he passed. Amos gave me a big project. A huge undertaking. Not me, Lord. Choose Teddy.
With a shaking hand, Luke reached out for the lone hymnal. He could sense the entire church held bated breath, waiting to see who had drawn the lot. Teddy gave him a solemn nod, and they both opened their hymnals at the same time.
Oh no.
Discussion Questions for Book Clubs
Luke Schrock arrived in Stoney Ridge fresh out of rehab and soon slipped right back to his go-to behavior. “The first step in learning is unlearning,” David Stoltzfus said. “It’s the casting off of old habits.” Have you found that to be true?
The benefits of honest confession is a major theme in this story. As David said, “Apologizing and confessing, Luke, it’s for you.” What about that additional aspect David tacked on—asking each victim how Luke’s misdeeds affected him or her? What difference would that make in your life if someone not only apologized with sincerity, but wanted to hear, to truly listen to, how they hurt you? Flip that thought around. Is there someone who’s waiting for a sincere apology from you?
Did your opinion about Luke change throughout the story? How so? Have you ever seen someone make a complete turnaround?
Too many doors opened too easily, Fern said, when a person was assessed on God-given good looks and not on character earned. It was a danger, not a gift, to be unusually attractive. A person didn’t develop substance and resources to help them in life. Like a hothouse plant that couldn’t survive in the outdoors. Beauty does not always benefit those who possess it. In what way did beauty harm Izzy? What about Luke? How did his good looks create problems for him?
The Plain community’s lack of emphasis on a person’s outer appearance felt like a relief to Izzy. What else appealed to her about the Amish life? Which of those qualities appeal to you, even in a novel?
After suffering great harm from her mother, then being raised in multiple foster care homes, Izzy encountered other people who extend grace to her—Amos, David, Fern. How did they positively affect Izzy’s life?
What essential piece of the Amish life did Izzy overlook?
What were your thoughts as Luke challenged Izzy to consider that essential piece before she became baptized? Too much? Not enough?
“You block the pain,” David said, “and you block everything.” What are your thoughts about that remark?
Izzy had always sought—no, demanded—understanding from God, made it a condition between them. Maybe that was why she felt so blocked from God. For as long as she could remember, she’d been shaking her fists at God, demanding that he explain himself to her. How does Izzy’s flash of insight resonate with you?
Fern Lapp and David Stoltzfus had something in common—they both had a tendency to share words of wisdom that influenced the course of others’ lives. Have you had a similar person of influence in your life? How have their words affected you?
Who was your favorite character? Who was your least favorite?
If you were writing this novel, would you have kept Grace Mitchell Miller out of the story? Why or why not? Have you ever had someone keep circling back into your life, even though you wished they’d just . . . stay away? What purpose might there be in this relationship? (By the way, if you’re interested in learning more about Grace, read The Lesson, book 3 in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. And you’ll read more of Grace’s story in the next book in the Deacon’s Family series.)
The gratitude Izzy felt to Amos, Fern, David, and the Amish church that embraced her was touching. Miracles do happen, she said. Just look at me. What about you? When have you seen a miracle unfold in your life? Or . . . if you’re waiting for a miracle, what do you think Izzy would say to you as you wait?
Both Izzy and Luke had struggles with alcohol addiction, and both were given a chance to start again. Who do you know that is in need of another chance to change?
Acknowledgments
My first draft readers, Lindsey Ross and Tad Fisher, deserve a huge high five for reading this novel before it was, well, readable. In doing so, they provided feedback that helped shape and smooth this story. I don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful for their “flyover” feedback.
Thank you to Ken Brickett, one of my favorite readers, for sharing a Quaker joke that his father used to tell him.
To my amazing Revellians—thank you, thank you, for all you do for me! Andrea Doering, Michele Misiak, Hannah Brinks, Cheryl Van Andel, Karen Steele, Barb Barnes, and many others. Each book gets your special touch.
A nod to the remarkable, all-encompassing Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous. What a powerful template AA has given to those who want to live the life God meant them to live.
As always, my readers deserve a shout-out. Thank you for reading my books, and for letting me know too. I love hearing from you!
Finally, my heart is full of gratitude to God for giving me the opportunity to write. Sometimes, I feel like Izzy and have to pinch myself. Is this really happening? Am I really a published author? Miracles do happen! Just look at me.
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Phoebe’s Light, Minding the Light, the Amish Beginnings series, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher and Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Books by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Cast of Characters
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An Excerpt from Suzanne’s Next Novel
Chapter 1 of the Excerpt
Discussion Questions for Book Clubs
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
List of Pages
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