Janice’s head jerked back as if slapped. “It’s called symbolism. The ghosts take Scrooge back in time to see his faults, then show him the future.”
Granny could hardly believe she and Mona would both see eye-to-eye on anything. “Foretelling the future? It’s forbidden in the Bible. Janice, I’m surprised your church is doing this as a play.”
Janice’s eyes got as round as saucers. “Charles Dickens was a Christian trying to teach a lesson through this book. It’s kind of like a fantasy.”
Colleen spoke up. “Granny, I’ve seen the movie. It’s really wonderful, and I know you don’t like fantasy, but it makes you change for the better.”
Mona put her hand on her heart. “And you’re going to be Amish. Well, this is a pretty kettle of fish.”
Fannie started to laugh along with Marge.
Mona planted both hands on her hips. “What’s so funny?”
“You are,” Marge blurted, laughing harder. “You and Fannie. Fannie talks Jane Austen lines, and you just said something right out of Anne of Green Gables.”
“I did not!”
Fannie held her middle and giggled. “Mamm, you’ve never said, ‘This is a pretty kettle of fish’ in my whole life. It’s what Marilla says when she meets Anne.”
Mona rolled her eyes and dismissed what Fannie said with the swoosh of her hand. “That’s ridiculous.” She spun around and glared at Granny. “Surely you won’t allow this book to be read by real Amish folk.” She glanced over at Colleen, nose up.
Granny put her head back on her rocker and closed her eyes. Lord, I need wisdom. Help me. As soon as she prayed, an idea popped into her head. She smiled and looked around the room. “What is the biggest sin?”
“What?” Mona snapped. “Not being obedient to the Bible.”
“Not loving,” Granny said, almost in a whisper. “We are to love each other, not seek our own way. We are all Christians and I’m thinking we need to respect others’ convictions. If Janice has read this here book, and knows that its meaning will be helpful to point others to the straight and narrow, I say let’s believe the best in her. Love thinks the best, jah? 1 Corinthians 13? But we Amish have to live by our Ordnung and no fantasy stories are allowed, especially ones with ghosts.”
Suzy leaned forward. “That is so true. We all have different convictions about things. So what are we going to read that everyone agrees on?”
“Well,” Granny continued, “yinz are busy at the Baptist church and are all reading this book. Since we know Charles Dickens was a good Christian man, is there another book that he wrote that we Amish can read?”
Marge gasped. “We can have a Dickens Christmas Party! Make desserts from his books. I always wanted to try figgie pudding.”
“Well, I think that’s a goot idea,” Granny said. “I learned how to make fondant for Colleen’s wedding cake, and I like a challenge.” She looked over at Suzy. “So, what can we read?”
Suzy was looking straight ahead of her, deep in thought. “His books are long, very long. I’ll have to go online and look to see if there are any less than four-hundred pages. He wrote some shorter stories, called novellas, so maybe I can find something.”
“So, can we have a Dickens party?” Marge was on her toes, jumping, and Granny knew the weight of guilt the poor soul was trying to overcome. How Granny wanted to have a Christmas party, just to lend Marge her continued support. She found herself saying, yes.
Mona groaned.
~*~
Marge and Joe sat in their regular pew at the Smicksburg Baptist Church. Were they getting so stuck in their ways? Always sitting in the same place? Marge mused as she took Joe’s hand and smiled. “I did it. I took Granny’s advice and told Janice.”
“And?”
“Not a smidgen of judgment. Can you believe it? Really, this is all such a shock.”
Joe’s eyes moistened. “And to think we kept it a secret all these years.”
Marge nodded in agreement. “Confession is goot for the soul, as Granny says, and now we know first-hand. The guilt over that abortion, so long ago, when we didn’t even know better…Well, I feel so much better.”
“Me too. I thought for sure this church would kick us out or something.”
Ginny Rowland got up, guitar in tow, and asked everyone to sing along with the words on the overhead projector. She introduced the song as Amazing Grace, but said that the real song’s ending had been changed, and the original had been recently discovered.
She went on to say that John Newton, who wrote the lyrics, was a slave trader, and many lives were lost while he was in business. But when he became a Christian, he stopped what he was doing, became a pastor, and he was amazed at the forgiveness and grace God showed him.
Ginny asked if they could sing the first stanza, then skip down to the fourth and really think about the rest of the song. “Remember,” she said, “this was a man responsible for many deaths and great cruelty. Think of how deep God’s forgiveness really is.”
She did a little guitar intro, then sang:
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
Marge wondered if Janice asked Ginny to do this song just for them. How light she felt, not carrying such a burden. And she lifted her hands and praised God for his forgiveness… and her knitting circle friends.
~*~
Jeb set the table and then put pure maple syrup out, since Deborah loved to bathe blueberry pancakes in it. He’d keep the pancakes hot on the cast iron skillet until she came in. Going over to the little blue rag rug, he knelt down to pet Bea and her new friend, Angel. That Deborah had held the dog, saying ‘love doesn’t seek its own way,’ had touched him to no end, so this name she’d come up with, Angel, was gladly accepted. He hoped this little dog wouldn’t be a burden, but a blessing to his dear wife. Jeb playfully rubbed the top of her small black head. “Angel, are you going to be a burden or blessing?”
He glanced over at the pendulum clock. Noon? Maryann’s appointment was at seven. He got up and paced the floor, fearing they were delayed because they didn’t get good news. He took a seat at his rocker and finished reading Anne of Green Gables. Helping homeschool Jenny was more educational and rewarding than he thought, since he was gaining so much insight from the books picked for knitting circle. But he could not have them read A Christmas Carol, and was glad Deborah had not tried to persuade him otherwise.
God's in his heaven; all's right with the world.
He reread the line again. Jah, no matter what the test results showed, God was in heaven and not taken by surprise. But Lord, please let it be nothing. Let Maryann be healthy for her kinner.
He heard the rumble of a car engine and soon saw the English driver they’d hired to take them to the hospital. Jeb squinted to see if Maryann was in the car, but he only saw Deborah, and ran out to the porch and quickly down the steps to make sure she didn’t slip on any icy patches.
One look into her eyes told him volumes. The cancer was gone. Maryann was well. Praise be. He led her inside. “Goot news?”
“Jah. Goot news. The dizzy spells were all her nerves and anxiety, fearing the cancer had come back. She had calcium deposits in the breast, and those were the lumps.” Granny looked over at Bea and Angel who were sound asleep. “Did you tire them out?”
Jeb nodded. “It’s their noon nap time, like
little kinner. Were Maryann’s tests mighty long?”
“We went out to eat to celebrate after the goot news.”
Jeb had waited patiently for hours, fearing the worst. “Well, you had the whole Gmay on pins and needles about the test results.” His shoulders slumped and he went over to the peg to get his coat. “Best be going to tell the elders.”
Granny ran towards him and grabbed his arm. “Jeb, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing…”
“Ach, you’re upset with me. I can see that.”
Jeb knew how they talked about what love really was last night. It was patient and kind, not seeking his own. He felt unappreciated right now, since the table was set, and obviously Deborah saw the effort he made to make her a good meal. But his wife was so worried and now relieved, and she deserved to go out to eat. He pulled her to himself. “I made your favorite pancakes, but we’ll warm them up for breakfast tomorrow.”
“What pancakes?”
“The ones on the table…”
She pulled away and looked towards the table. “I don’t see any pancakes. Looks like you left maple syrup on the table and plates…”
Jeb grinned. “Ach, love is not easily offended, and look at me. The pancakes are in the skillet.”
Granny turned to him, got up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Jeb, you are the most wunderbar husband. Danki for thinking of me. I love you so.”
He scooped her into his arms. “I love you, too.”
~*~
Exhausted from the stressful morning, Granny sat in her rocker to knit after Jeb left to spread the good news. Maryann was cancer-free. Praise be!
She thought of the fears that Anne of Green Gables put in her heart concerning Jeb. Matthew had died, and Jeb would someday, too. And Maryann also, but most likely Granny wouldn’t be around to see it.
She noticed the bird feeder was full of blue jays and cardinals, bigger birds that chased away the little sparrows. Sparrows. God kept his eyes on the sparrow, and he watched over Jeb. Over Maryann. Over her. Full of elation, she got up and sang the hymn she loved so well:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Dear readers,
Are you worried about the future? I’ll be the first to admit I do lots of casting off prayers daily, being a worry wart of sorts. But as an avid birdwatcher, I see the sparrows, and think of this scripture often:
What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10: 29-31 NLT
Since many of you feel like you’re part of Granny’s knitting circle, why not sing the hymn Granny sang, and let its truth sink deep down into your heart?
I leave you all, once again, with an Amish recipe that Granny uses for dessert at knitting circle.
Raisin Bars
1 c. raisins
1 c. water
½ c. oil
½ c. brown sugar
½ c. sugar
1 egg
1 ¾ c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. ground cloves
Combine raisins and water in a pan and bring to gentle boil. Remove from heat when raisins are plump. Stir in oil and cool. Stir in sugar and egg. Sift dry ingredients and beat into mixture. Pour into greased 13 x 9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, or until done. Cut into squares when cool.
2/3 c. shortening
1 tsp. salt
¾ c. milk
4 ½ tsp. baking powder
5 eggs whites, unbeaten
½ c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
Sift dry ingredients. Add shortening and milk and then beat. Add remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Insert toothpick to see if done.
EPISODE 4
Dickens Of A Tale
Jeb scooped scrambled eggs onto his plate. “Danki, Love. You make eggs the best.”
Granny’s eyebrows arched. “I’m the only one who’s cooked for you in how long?” She bent over and kissed his cheek and gave him a playful hug around the neck, then took her place across the table from him. “Isn’t this morning wunderbar? A sunny day in the middle of December is a treasure, for sure.”
Jeb nodded. “Jah. A sunny day in December reminds me of our courting days. Seems like the goot lord was so happy we discovered we loved each other, He applauded from heaven.”
Granny grinned. “That’s mighty fancy talk, old man. You thinking of that Max Lucado book you’re reading, Applause of Heaven?”
He took a sip of coffee. “Jah. Maybe. But I’ve been thinking about David Copperfield and my Dickens Devotional, too.”
“Winter and reading go together mighty nice. And we haven’t read a book out loud together in years.”
“I have to read more, being the Bishop. Have to screen these books your circle’s reading.”
“Sorry, Love. Didn’t think it would come to this. I never knew there were so many opinions on books. It’s all such a trifle if you think of all the books you can read.”
Jeb winked. “Like your Jane Austen said, ‘Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings’. Jah, a trifle.”
Granny didn’t understand his meaning. “Jeb, you don’t have to look through any Jane Austen books. What are you talking about?”
His grin expanded into a broad smile, as he took a little package out of his pocket. “I got this for you, Love. You know I can never wait until Christmas to give you a present.”
Granny felt heat rise in her cheeks, like a young teen. “Ach. Danki, Jeb.” She took the little present, wrapped in white tissue paper, and saw A Little Book of Jane Austen Quotes. She opened it up to see that each page of the book was illustrated with pictures. Such pretty dresses, she thought. “I love it,” she said, looking over at her dear husband.
He nodded. “I thought you would. I’ve been reading it, and what Austen said about life being busy with nothing, is true, jah?”
“If we let it. You thinking of Colleen?”
“Jah. She’s struggling with following rules. But, let’s not talk about my burdens this morning.”
“I help carry them…”
He shook his head. “Not today. How about we decorate for Christmas?”
Granny’s heart literally fluttered. He wanted to put greenery and red candles in the window, reminiscent of their first Christmas together as a courting couple. But soon the image of Mona broke through, and Granny felt her heart stop. No more fluttering, but panic set in. “Mona
will criticize again!”
Jeb took a sip of coffee. “And you can tell her our story. Turn her critical remarks into a conversation. Maybe get to the woman’s heart.”
Granny took her fork and stabbed at the eggs in front of her. “If she has one!”
“Love. Come now. You can’t hate.”
Granny felt sweat forming on her forehead and her hands grew clammy. “Hates a strong word, Jebediah Weaver.”
He waved one of his long crooked fingers at her. “Love your enemies.”
Love Mona? The woman is downright spiteful. Granny closed her eyes and counted to ten, something Suzy did regularly, and she found her pulse slowing down. “Jeb, you’re right. Now, let’s decorate the windows and when Mona comes over for knitting circle and criticizes, I’ll…” She put her hand over her heart, “try to dig deeper and maybe find a heart.”
Jeb looked over at their two little dogs, Bea and Angel, both snuggling against each other, sharing the small blue rag rug. “I know, Deborah. Sometimes it’s easier to get along with animals than some surly folk. Look at those two.”
~*~
Colleen watched Aurora put gold glitter on the Christmas cards she was making for her new friends at the one-room Amish schoolhouse. Hezekiah squeezed her hand tighter. “We’ll be a family in early spring, Lord willing.” He stole a kiss on her cheek, and then caressed her hand. “I’m hopeful.”
Colleen didn’t know if she should wait until after Christmas to tell Hezekiah the truth. She was suffocating under the strict Amish rules.
“I’ll plant a huge orchard in the spring, and add to Ella and Zach’s pumpkin patch. And since corn did well last year, maybe have a corn maze just for fun.”
She put her head on his shoulder. “Maybe.”
“You want to do something else?”
Not be Amish, she wanted to scream, but instead said, “Hezekiah, I’m struggling again.”
“With your baptismal classes?”
“No, I like them. So full of the Bible, but it’s the rules. I don’t know. It still bothers me that I couldn’t read A Christmas Carol. I’ve seen the movie, and it’s harmless.”
Smicksburg Tales 1,2 & 3 (Amish Knitting Circle, Amish Friends Knitting Circle & Amish Knit Lit Cirlce ~ Complete Series: 888 pages for Granny Weaver Lovers and 30+ Amish Recipes Page 67