Thirty-Eight

  Sometimes we must patiently endure before inheriting a promised blessing.

  AMISH PROVERB

  The day after the wedding, Joy’s family gathered around the dinner table, enjoying leftovers from the wedding. Tomorrow was Christmas, and like usual it would be a quiet and reverent time with only a few simple decorations that they’d set out in the morning. The weather was still warm, and snow was a distant reality, but they would have fun watching her new niece Emma opening the few presents they’d gotten her.

  All day as Joy had helped to clean up the garden, she had told herself not to get her hopes up. The fact that Matthew wanted to talk to her didn’t necessarily mean anything. For all she knew, he could be heading up to Indiana to his farm. And then what? Where would that leave her?

  Her father scraped up the last of the food on his plate. Then there was a knock at the back door.

  “Joy? Can you get that?” Dat asked.

  She looked around the table. All eyes were on her. “Can’t Grace get it?” Her eyes welled up with tears. She didn’t know why she was crying. Perhaps because both hope and fear battled for first place inside her.

  “Sweetheart, I think it’s for you,” Mem stated plainly.

  Joy stood, not knowing what to do. She took one step to the door and then paused. “I…I really don’t want to talk to anyone now.” Still, she opened the door, urging her knees to hold her up.

  Matthew stood there with his arms crossed over his chest. He was looking the other direction, toward the road, as if trying to decide whether he wanted to stay or go.

  Joy went outside, closing the door and then the screen door silently. The moon and stars were bright overhead. Crickets chirped a lonely song. Matthew stood with his back to her, clearly deep in thought. Her chest swelled with emotion as she imagined walking up behind him, slipping her hands around his waist, and pulling herself close.

  She took a step, and a loose board on the porch creaked. Matthew removed his hat and turned. Sweat ringed his shirt, and his damp hair clung to his forehead. He held his hat to his side with his left hand and extended his right hand to her.

  She stood for a long moment and turned her attention to the sprinkler head dripping water onto the walkway and the small bird that pranced in the water as if wading through a pool. Her heartbeat quickened as she looked back to his hand. This is goodbye. Finally she turned her attention back to his gaze and waited for the words to come.

  “Just because my dat is the bishop doesn’t mean he’s always right.”

  “Excuse me?” Joy’s eyes widened. That wasn’t what she expected to hear.

  “Even some of the apostles messed up and got things wrong.”

  She opened her mouth and then closed it again, sure she wasn’t hearing him right.

  Pulling his hand back, Matthew took a small orange Bible from his jacket pocket and flipped through it, stopping near the back of the book.

  “I’ve been praying about this a lot. I’ve been asking God to search my own heart and to show me the many ways I’ve messed up.” He cleared his throat again. “I know God’s book says we need to respect our parents. I understand it’s one of the Ten Commandments—“Honor thy father and thy mother.” But does that mean we must do everything our parents say for the rest of their lives? Is there a difference between honoring them and obeying them? If our parents are ever in error with their thinking, is it all right to point it out?”

  Joy clasped her hands in front of her and waited. She knew the questions weren’t for her. Her throat tightened with emotion at seeing him, and she didn’t dare hope that the words to come would bring him back to her. No, she couldn’t hope that yet.

  “I’ve been reading through Paul’s letters, and last week I was reading the first chapter of Galatians. Paul had been traveling and preaching, telling people about Jesus, and after a while he decided to return to Jerusalem. Some of the apostles were still there, and after talking together they’d come to the conclusion that they all had the same ideas about Jesus. They were all sharing about Him—Peter and the others to Jews in Jerusalem, and Paul to the Gentiles in other countries. And Peter and his friends decided that what Paul was saying about Jesus was correct.

  “The apostles gave Paul approval, yet Paul came across something that bothered him about Peter. Peter was fine eating with Gentiles, which God now allowed, but as soon as other Jewish Christians were around, he stopped and separated himself from them. This made Paul mad, and he confronted him. He basically told him he was wrong. This passage reminded me that even God’s chosen men can be wrong at times. Even my dat.”

  Hope swelled in Joy’s heart as Matthew closed the Bible and put it back into his pocket. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying I think you did the right thing, helping with that show and all.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  “Well, first I read an article in the Sarasota-Herald Tribune where Alicia talked about how you pointed her to God and what a difference He has made in her life. Later that day I was talking to my friend Abraham. I had to apologize to him for something I did—for the way I treated him—but that’s another story. Anyway, he said he went to lunch at Yoder’s one day and one of the cameramen from the show approached him, just to talk, I guess. This man—Steven was his name—said you made a huge impact on his life too.”

  “Me?”

  “Ja. It seems he’s been watching all the Amish, you especially, and he was impressed by your tender and quiet love. He says he’s working with Alicia a lot, and he can tell she’s a different person now. She has a peace and love he’s never seen before. And he’s happy to see her and Rowan getting back together. Steven also told Abraham he’s been separated from his wife for over a year, and she’s been keeping his kids from him.”

  “Kids?” Joy gasped. “I didn’t know he had kids.”

  “Ja. And now he and his wife are going to see if they can make things work. She’s coming down to Florida so they can talk things through.”

  Tears filled Joy’s eyes. She placed her hands over her mouth, holding in her soft cry.

  Matthew reached over and touched her arm. His touch was tender. His caress was gentle. “I was so focused on sticking to the rules, Joy, that I missed the greatest rule of all—love God and love your neighbor. I know it wasn’t easy for you to follow your compassion, but I want you to know I understand now. I really understand. I asked God to forgive me. I’m hoping you will too.”

  She wiped her tears with her fingertips and then wiped them on her apron. “Matthew, I…I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say you still care for me even though I’m a fool.”

  She nodded. “There were times I was mad at myself for it, but, ja, I do. I really do.”

  “Gut.” The word released with a heavy breath. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, trying to smooth away the goose bumps. The air was warm out, but even greater was the warmth growing inside her chest.

  Matthew took a step toward her, and Joy considered suggesting they go somewhere else, somewhere more private to talk, but then she changed her mind. She didn’t want to break the moment.

  “Even when I wasn’t around you, you didn’t leave me,” he said. “Your thoughts, your encouragement. I found myself in my workshop a lot.”

  “Why?”

  “It made me feel close to you. I made forty-five recipe boxes in three weeks.”

  Joy’s eyes widened, and laughter spilled out. “You did?”

  “Ja, and a few gift shops in town are carrying them. They asked what else I can make.”

  “And will you take them to Lovina’s pie shop too?”

  Matthew got a shy look on his face. “You don’t think she’d be mad at me? I mean, all her competition is carrying them now.”

  “I think she’ll understand. Lovina isn’t one to hold a grudge, even if you did break her little sister’s heart.”

  “I did?”

  Joy looked down at her folded hands. “Well, we don’t need to talk about that now. I’m just thankful we’re talking again.”

  As Matthew stepped closer, he tipped his head down and gazed into her eyes. There was tenderness there, love. She released the breath she was holding. He still loves me.

  “I was wrong, Joy. I listened to the wrong voices. I wish I could go back and make things right. I’m just hoping you’ll give me a second chance. Will you forgive me?”

  She bit her lip and turned away. She never expected to hear those words, and she wanted to savor the moment. Finally, she turned back to him, tears rimming her eyes. “Of course. But I have to know. You said you found yourself in your workshop because you thought of me there. Was that because I gave you the idea for the recipe boxes?”

  “At first, but then it became more than that. As I worked with the wood, God used it to speak to me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Every piece of wood has a unique grain. Did you ever learn about tree circles in school?”

  “Ja, of course.”

  “One day I was sanding down a tree circle to be made into a stool for my youngest nephew, Micah, and I started paying close attention to the rings. Some were so thin, I’d almost guess the tree was close to death—that was a hard year. Then other circles were thick, and I wondered how a tree could grow so much all at once. As I sanded, something inside told me that was like marriage.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve seen many couples coming to talk to my mem and dat. I pretended I didn’t know why they were there, but I could see it in their eyes—the pain, the questions, the weariness of it all. Times like that are like the thin rings of the tree. During the hard months and years, a tree doesn’t appear to be growing. It might even look like it’s dying. But then I’ve seen those couples stick it out and come to places of love and growth. That’s one thing gut about being Amish. Divorce is unacceptable. I think Englisch couples give up too quickly, and they miss their best years to come.”

  She studied his face, his eyes, dreaming of spending every day for the rest of her life with him. “That’s beautiful, Matthew.”

  “And I think that’s part of our courtship too, Joy. I’ve been watching you from afar for a long time. I was impressed then, but I have to say I’m even more impressed now. You listened to God and did what was hard. And at first I didn’t agree.”

  “Do you agree now?”

  “I understand. Can we leave it at that?”

  She offered him a shy grin. “Ja.”

  “I just hope I haven’t hurt you too badly. If you forgive me, I’d like to continue to court you. I still have hopes that you’ll someday be my wife.”

  Joy fought with worry deep inside. She could see from Matthew’s eyes that he meant what he said, but she didn’t want to hope too much. She wasn’t sure she could take getting hurt again.

  “And your parents?” It was the question that worried her the most. “What do they think?”

  “I’ve already talked to them. They’re beginning to understand.”

  She stood there quietly, trying to take in his words. He watched her for a moment before again reaching into his jacket pocket.

  “I have something for you. I was going to wait until tomorrow, on Christmas, to give you this, but it couldn’t wait.” His hand held a small wooden disk, and he extended it to her. It was a tree circle, sanded down and stained so the natural colors of the rings came through.

  “If someday you’re willing to marry me, Joy, know that I will do my best to love you in the thin spaces as I do through the thick ones.”

  “Through thick or thin. I heard that at an Englisch wedding once.”

  “Ja, I’ve heard the phrase before too.”

  She sighed. “It means more to me now. Just like a tree, we will know hard years and plentiful ones. And being committed to both will carry us through. And yes, Matthew. I will marry you. I long to be your wife, almost as much as I long to draw close to God.”

  Matthew extended his hand, and Joy placed her hand in his. His skin felt warm, and her breaths quickened as he squeezed.

  Then, without warning, Matthew pulled her into his arms, and placed upon her lips the softest kiss. It was a kiss of forgiveness, of love, and of hope. That was where she wanted to stay forever—with Matthew, in his arms. And now she knew for certain—that was also exactly where he wanted her to be.

  Epilogue

  Christians never meet for the last time.

  AMISH PROVERB

  Alicia stood at the doorway of the warehouse, looking at the space that was nearly empty. All the props had been packed up and stored in Sarasota somewhere. They’d all worked hard. They’d done their best, and now it was up to the viewers. If the show got good ratings and the network approved a second season, then they’d be back. She liked the idea of that. She looked forward to working with Rowan on this very set. She always loved working with her husband, which is now what she called him again.

  Alicia also especially looked forward to spending more time with Joy. She’d purchased a gift for her and dropped it off—a cell phone.

  “You don’t have to use it for anyone but me,” Alicia had told her, “but I need to be able to talk to you, Joy. I need to be able to hear your voice and have someone speak some sense into me when all the Hollywood voices fill my head.” Thankfully, Joy agreed.

  Alicia heard a car park outside, and she knew it was there to take her to the airport. Rowan’s assistant had arranged for her luggage to be picked up, and then her. He’d gone ahead to his next job, and she couldn’t wait to join him in Canada, despite the cold there.

  She’d said her good-byes to Joy last night, but still she hesitated. She’d discovered so much in Pinecraft. She’d discovered so much about herself and about friendship. Mostly, she’d discovered so much about God.

  Finally, Alicia brushed a strand of hair back from her forehead and took a deep breath, heading out. She had nearly reached the car when she noticed someone hurrying her direction. It was an Amish woman. It was Joy!

  Alicia moved in her direction. She laughed when she noticed Joy carried a big bundle in her arms.

  Joy paused right before Alicia, panting. “I have something for you. I know you have to go, but I don’t want you to go without this.” Then, without hesitating, Joy pulled a large quilt from the bag.

  Alicia gasped. It was one of the most colorful quilts she’d ever seen, with blues, purples, and reds designed in an intricate checkered pattern. She ran her fingers over the design, now understanding how much work had gone into this. “Oh, my goodness. It’s so beautiful!”

  “It’s the one my Aunt Martha made.”

  “It’s yours? The one you kept on your bed? Oh no, Joy, I can’t keep it.”

  Joy shook her head, refusing to listen. She pushed the quilt into Alicia’s hands. “It’s mine, and I want to give it to you. I want you to remember me when you’re gone. More than that, I want you to remember that God is stitching together every piece of your life.” Joy chuckled. “Besides, in Canada, I think you’re going to need it far more than I need it in Pinecraft.”

  Alicia didn’t know what to say, and so she did the only thing she knew to do. She gently set the quilt on the backseat of the car and then pulled Joy into an embrace. And with her friend in her arms she said a silent prayer of thanksgiving and hope. Her future was different because of this friend, and Alicia hoped someday her story would bring hope to the lives of many others too.

  Somehow she knew it would. God had brought her this far, and He would see her through to the end.

  Reader’s Guide

  1. What did you find unique about Pinecraft, Florida? What surprised you about the setting?

  2. What are the specific themes in Sewn with Joy? What did you take away as a reader?

  3. In what ways did you relate to Joy? Does she remind you of yourself or someone you know? If so, how?

  4. Alicia’s pain and struggles are revealed more as the book goes on. How do you feel about the struggles she faced? Do you think they are true to life?

  5. Sewn with Joy gives glimpses of the characters from Made with Love and Planted with Hope. In what ways are the sisters different? How are they the same?

  6. How well do you feel the Amish community is represented in this book? Did you learn anything new about the Amish?

  7. Who is your favorite character in the novel? Why?

  8. What do you appreciate about Joy and Matthew’s relationship? Do you find it realistic? Why or why not?

  9. What part of this novel most surprised you?

  10. What did you learn about God’s grace in this novel?

  11. What recipe do you want to try?

  12. What was your favorite Amish proverb in the book? Why?

  13. Who would you recommend this book to?

  Made with Love

  Have you read Lovina’s story in Made with Love, book one in The Pinecraft Pie Shop Series? Here’s the first chapter to get you started…

  One

  Keep your words soft and sweet in case you have to eat them.

  AMISH PROVERB

  August 15

  Lovina Miller opened the refrigerator and slipped her mixing bowl and pie crust ingredients inside to chill. Mem had taught her that to get the best results one had to put in one’s best efforts. Mem had also told her, more than once, to get her mind out of the kitchen and be sociable for a change. It wasn’t as if Lovina didn’t enjoy attending the volleyball games and the church events where bachelors could be found…it was just that she had her mind on other things. On a pie shop. Of her own.

  The kitchen window was open. A breeze blew in, ruffling the red and white checkered curtains—one of the few things that had moved with them from Ohio to Pinecraft, Florida.