Salt of the Earth

...taken out of my car window a few days ago...
I don't know how well you can see the horses and buggies hitched to the fence in this picture.  This is not an uncommon scene as I drive to church on Sunday mornings.  After six years of living here, I still am filled with wonder and appreciation as  I pass a well-ordered Amish home place.  Often children are pushing hand-propelled lawn mowers, women are hanging up laundry, weeds are being meticulously trimmed, gardens teem with healthy produce, and everywhere--neatness.

I frequently slow down to observe farmers in the fields with teams of four, eight, and just last week TWELVE work horses.  The sound of buggy wheels and hooves passing on the highway in front of our home is a soothing and reassuring sound to me.  I don't even mind slowing down behind an Amish buggy on busy route 37.

Bank parking. Bakery and Post Office in background...


To me, these folk illustrate the verse, "You are the salt of the earth."  (Matthew 5:13) 
Without a word they flavor MY existence with simplicity, challenge me to industry,  and encourage me to slow down!
I wonder how and to whom I am salt...
I pray that I will not lose my saltiness--a possibility I'm warned about in the last part of that verse.

8 comments:

  1. Hi Rebecca,
    It is a lovely,basic way of life. Lots of hard work too.
    We have several Amish farms here too. After eleven years of living in town, I still find it fascinating when a horse and buggy drive down my street. So does my dog Ruby! That is a beautiful photo by the way!
    Love Di ♥

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  2. I love these pictures. I think the Amish
    live wonderfully simple and meaningful
    lives. Everything seems to be so slow
    and relaxed though I know they are hard
    workers. One of my dearest friends since
    we were young lives in Hagerstown, IN.
    and she is always telling me about all
    her kind Amish neighbors.
    Love & Prayers,
    Sandy

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  3. I love this post and the love and respect you show for these wonderful people.....they have a compound not to far from here and they are always selling home baked goods at our farmer's market on Friday afternoons......one thing I do know is that they are always impeccable and their food is delicious....that's two things isn't it......big hugs my friend...:-)

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  4. Our nearest Amish communities are about an hour away. We love to go there a couple times a year to shop or eat or just get some good old-fashioned stress relief. I've read a lot of the popular Christian novels that portray Amish life. It does make me sad that they do not teach that one can have the assurance of salvation, though I know many Amish have Mennonite relatives who faithfully witness to them the truth of the Gospel.
    But your point about how the Amish can challenge us to live more simply and at the same time to know that work can be it's own reward is a positive influence on any community. I wish we lived closer to them, as I do admire them in many ways.

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  5. I live among the Amish too. My husband's family came from your general area, actually, years ago having settled there after leaving Europe. I have many Amish neighbors and enjoy frequenting their stores because many things needed for the simple life are more readily available because of them--chicken feed, fabric and sewing supplies, lamp oil, bulk baking supplies, etc., etc.

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  6. We are not exposed to this at all, but on Thanksgiving we go to a community hidden away off the from the cities and we get to experience their life. I am always blessed...I mean blessed. Their gentleness, the children...what can I say except I am always convicted.

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  7. I have also have Amish and Menonite in my area. Very interesting life style's.

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  8. I lived for seven years in Northern Ohio... an area replete with the Amish. Like you, I never grew weary with admiring them from a distance. A beautiful reminder of simplicity and beauty.

    Thanks for this visual!

    peace~elaine
    PS: I'd better get out to find some pumpkin!!! Who knew?

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)