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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781624167492 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Barbour Publishing, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 08/01/2019 |
| Series: | Prayer Jars Series , #3 |
| Pages: | 320 |
| Sales rank: | 523,933 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.00(d) |
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CHAPTER 1
Six months later Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Lenore sat on the top step of her grandparents' front porch, barely noticing the summer flowers as she stared into the yard. Her gaze took in the stately old barn, weathered chicken coop, and Grandma's lovely flower garden. She could smell the sweet perfume of the fragrant lilac bushes not far from the house and heard the hiss of a running sprinkler, helping to keep the lawn growing and green. A slight breeze ruffled the leaves on the huge maple tree, and she heard the flutter of wings as several birds jostled for space on one of the many feeders, completing the peaceful picture. Unfortunately, Grandpa and Grandma's home and yard were not as serene as they used to be for Lenore. She still enjoyed being here, but now she saw everything through a new perspective — one that included stress that no tranquil yard could eradicate.
Grandpa's collie, Sadie, lay beside her with one paw on Lenore's lap. That too used to be comforting. Now it was just a reminder that Grandma and Grandpa's pet was in need of love and assurance.
A lump formed in Lenore's throat. How could so many unexpected things happen in six short months — some good, some bad? Brad had accepted a call to pastor a church in Lancaster, and Sara, in addition to running her flower shop, now played the role of a minister's wife. Ezekiel still worked in his parents' greenhouse, and Michelle helped out there sometimes too. Unfortunately, Michelle's husband did not enjoy working with flowers, bushes, and various other plants. He'd made it clear he was looking for some other type of job.
Lenore had accepted a teaching position at a school in Strasburg this year and would begin her new assignment in two months. She looked forward to getting to know her young students and hoped her first year of teaching here would go as well as it had when she'd taught school in Paradise, not far from her parents' home.
With a heavy sigh, Lenore turned toward the front window, where Grandpa Lapp sat slumped in his wheelchair, peering out with a distant, almost empty stare. It tore at her heart to see him looking so forlorn. Three months ago, Grandpa had a stroke, leaving the left side of his body paralyzed. Even with therapy, he hadn't improved much.
Despite his inability to take care of the farm anymore, Grandpa refused to move, announcing in slurred words that he would live in this home until the day he died, and no one could make him move. Not wishing to cause him further anxiety, Lenore's father agreed to let his parents continue living on their own, but only if Lenore agreed to move in with them and help out when she wasn't teaching. With all the added responsibilities on Grandma's shoulders, Lenore had willingly settled into one of Grandma and Grandpa's upstairs guest rooms. She loved her grandparents very much and would do anything to help them during this challenging time.
Grandpa could no longer raise hogs and it was doubtful he'd ever be healthy enough to care for them, so they'd been sold. He also couldn't preach due to his speech impediment, so unless a miracle occurred, he would resign from his ministerial position, allowing someone else to take his place. Even if the stroke hadn't happened, Grandpa and Grandma were getting older and less able to perform all the chores they'd previously taken on.
It was difficult for Lenore's grandparents to be faced with so many changes. Some decisions were hard to make.
Sadie grunted as Lenore shifted on the unyielding porch step. Why must good people like Grandma and Grandpa Lapp face so many trials? It doesn't seem fair.
Lenore's parents had been affected by Grandpa's failing health as well. Either Dad or one of her brothers came over several times a week to check on Grandpa and take care of any of the heavier outside chores needing to be done. Mom dropped by whenever she could too, and often helped Grandma with baking. Sometimes when Lenore had to be away from the house, her mother stayed with Grandpa so Grandma could get away for a while to grocery shop, meet a friend for lunch, or simply have a little time to herself.
"My faith has weakened of late," Lenore murmured, reaching over to stroke Sadie's head. "Sometimes I wonder if God even hears my prayers."
"Of course He does, dear one. We just need to be patient and wait for His answers."
Lenore jumped at the sound of her grandmother's voice. She hadn't heard the screen door open or shut.
Grandma took a seat on the porch swing, and Lenore joined her.
"I don't understand why bad things happen to good people." Lenore pushed her feet against the wooden boards beneath them to get the swing moving. "My heart clenches every time I see the pained look on Grandpa's face."
Grandma reached over and patted Lenore's hand. "We must learn to trust the Lord, even with things we don't understand. As we go through troubled waters, it should strengthen, not weaken, our faith. And remember, dear one, prayer is not a business transaction. We don't give something to get something in return."
Lenore sat quietly, reflecting on her grandmother's words as the swing moved gently back and forth. Regardless of the hardships she and Grandpa are facing right now, Grandma's faith is a lot stronger than mine these days. Maybe I need to pray harder and try to keep a more positive attitude, like I used to have. No one likes to be around a negative person, so I'll do my best to look for things to rejoice about and remember to thank God for His blessings.
* * *
After Grandma went back inside, Lenore headed for the barn to groom her horse, Dolly. She would be using the mare to pull the buggy when she and Grandma went to church tomorrow morning. Since it was an off-Sunday for the church district Lenore's parents belonged to, they would come over to be with Grandpa while Grandma and Lenore attended church.
When Lenore entered the barn, the first thing she noticed was a creamy white cat curled up on a bale of straw. Grandma had named the cat Precious. The feline was her favorite of all the barn cats and often tried to sneak into the house. Grandpa would have none of it, though, so Grandma never allowed the cat to come in.
"You've got life made. You know that, don't you — you lazy old katz." She paused and stroked the cat's soft fur, and Precious responded with a contented purr.
The rustle of hay drew Lenore's gaze up to the loft where two more cats lay close to the edge, cleaning their paws. Grandma's favored cat wasn't the only critter on the farm that had life made. All the animals were treated well, but Grandma liked to give Precious a little more attention than the others.
Lenore remained in place, listening to the muffled thump of the hooves of horses moving around in their stalls. Grandpa's horse, Bashful, snorted from the nearest stall. No doubt he missed his master's daily treks to the barn.
She drew a deep breath and blinked against invading tears. Poor Grandpa. He used to love spending time out here with the animals. Now he mostly sits and stares out the window. Oh, how I wish things could be different. Maybe if he had taken better care of his health, he wouldn't have had the stroke. But her grandparents had always seemed healthy to her. They'd worked hard, eaten well, and gotten enough rest. Even so, there might have been more Grandpa could have done to prevent the stroke.
Whenever Lenore offered to bring him out to the barn in his wheelchair, Grandpa always shook his head and mumbled, "No good. No good." She wasn't sure what he meant by that. Was Grandpa saying the idea of going to the barn was no good, or did he believe he was no longer any good?
Lenore's vision blurred as she released a lingering sigh. I wish there was something I could do to lift Grandpa's spirits — and mine too, for that matter.
Rising from her seat and heading toward Dolly's stall with renewed determination, Lenore heard buzzing overhead. She looked up and saw a wasp nest attached to one of the rafters. I'd better climb into the loft and get rid of that right away. Sure don't need anyone getting stung while they're out here in the barn doing chores or getting one of the horses out.
Lenore glanced around, searching for some spray to kill the wasps and douse the nest. She spotted a spray can on a shelf along one wall and went to get a ladder.
Positioning the ladder in front of the shelf, Lenore climbed up and reached for the insecticide. In the process, she noticed several antique canning jars. A blue-green one was partially hidden, and when she pulled it away from the others, she realized it had been filled with a bunch of folded papers. Curious to see what they were about, she set the wasp spray aside, picked up the canning jar, and climbed down from the ladder.
Taking a seat on a wooden stool, Lenore opened the jar. After removing the paper closest to the top, she unfolded it and read it out loud. "Dear Lord, I know I'm not worthy, but please answer my prayers."
Lenore sat silently, pondering the words. Who wrote this, and why did they hide it in an old jar out here in the barn?
She pulled out another slip of paper and read it too. "Lord, I need Your direction. Show me the right path." I wonder if Grandma knows about this jar full of notes. Think I'll go ask her.
Lenore was almost to the barn door when Michelle stepped in.
"Ach, you startled me!" Lenore jumped back. "I didn't hear your horse and buggy come into the yard."
"Sorry. Didn't mean to frighten you." Michelle pushed a wisp of auburn hair back under her kapp. "I walked over this morning. Figured I could use the fresh air and exercise after all that birthday cake I ate at my party last night."
Lenore smiled. "It was a fun evening. I'm glad Ezekiel's mom invited me."
"Too bad your grandparents couldn't be there." Michelle's eyes darkened. "But I can understand why your grandpa doesn't leave the house much anymore."
"Did you come here to see him today?"
Michelle nodded. "I went into the house, but he was napping, so I visited with Mary Ruth for a bit. When she mentioned you were out here, I decided to come say hello before I headed for home."
Lenore smiled. "I'm glad you did."
Michelle pointed to the jar in Lenore's hands. "I see you found my hope jar."
Lenore tipped her head. "Hope jar?"
"Yeah, some of the scriptures, prayers, and notes gave me hope during the time I was living with your grandparents and pretending to be Sara."
"Did you put the notes in the jar?"
Michelle shook her head. "I have no idea who wrote them or why they put notes in this jar or the one I found in the basement."
Lenore's brows lifted. "You mean there are two jars?"
"Yeah, and for all I know, there could be more, but those are the only two I found." Michelle placed her hand on the jar. "Sara knows about the jars too. She discovered both of them while she was living here."
"How interesting. I wish I knew who owned the jars and why they put notes inside."
"I've always suspected it might be your grandma."
"Have you asked her about it?"
"No, and to my knowledge, neither has Sara. We were afraid if it was Mary Ruth, she might not want to talk about it. Some of the notes are personal, and I have a hunch that whoever wrote them didn't want anyone else to know. That must be why the jars were hidden."
"Guess that makes sense." Lenore tapped the side of the jar. She needed to tend to the wasp nest, and when she went back to the house, she wouldn't mention finding the old jar to Grandma. Next week on washday, she'd look for the jar in the basement. Perhaps one of the papers would give her a clue as to who had written the notes. If Lenore didn't unravel the mystery soon, she might ask Grandma after all.
CHAPTER 2It's a beautiful Sunay morning, jah?" Lenore glanced at her grandmother, sitting straight and tall on the buggy seat beside her. Grandma hadn't said more than a few words since they left home. She appeared to be deep in thought.
Lenore reached over and touched Grandma's arm. "Did you hear what I said?"
"Umm ... yes, it is a nice day, but going to church isn't the same without your grossdaadi along. I wish we could have loaded up his wheelchair and brought him with us today. He's missing so much by not going to church." She sighed. "Others in worse shape than him are brought to church, but he's too embarrassed by his condition to be seen in public settings. Guess he doesn't want anyone's pity."
"Grandpa doesn't look bad; he's just not able to use his left arm or leg as he once did, and his mouth still sags a bit — especially when he talks."
"But he's in a wheelchair, and that really bothers him." Grandma lifted her hands, then let them fall into her lap with a sigh. "I've reminded him often that many people are praying for him and he shouldn't worry about being seen in a wheelchair, but nothing I say gets through to him."
Lenore nodded. "I've tried talking to him too, and so has my daed. I sure wish God would give us a miracle and heal Grandpa's body."
"He will be healed someday, when he is ushered into heaven. As much as your grandpa wants to be here with his family, he's said many times how he longs to see Jesus."
Lenore pondered Grandma's words. Am I as eager to see Jesus as I am to remain here with my family? Shouldn't all believers look forward to leaving their earthly home and spending eternity in heaven? It was a question she'd asked herself on more than one occasion. In fact, every time she attended someone's funeral, Lenore pondered this thought.
Grandpa had said several times during sermons he'd preached to their congregation that a Christian's reward was leaving the mortal body so the immortal soul could dwell with the Lord. While Lenore wanted to be transported to heaven someday, she still had a good many things she wanted to do here in this life. She hoped God was in no hurry to take her, or her grandparents, home to be with Him.
Lenore guided her horse and buggy up the lane leading to their bishop's home where church was being held this morning. When she pulled onto the grassy area where other buggies were parked, Lenore gave Grandma the reins while she got out and unhitched her horse. "You can go up to the house while I hook Dolly to the line with the other horses."
Grandma turned and gave Lenore a wave. "Okay. I'll see you outside the bishop's buggy shop before we all file in for church."
* * *
As Lenore sat on a backless wooden bench beside her friend Hannah Stoltzfus and several other young women her age, she gave a quick glance at the men's section. Michelle's husband, Ezekiel, sat beside a dark-haired, bearded young man who held a baby girl. Lenore didn't recognize him and wondered if he was here visiting someone or might be new to their district. The baby was sure sweet — didn't look to be more than six or seven months old. The little girl wore a dark green dress and white bonnet. Lenore assumed the man's wife must be present too, but she didn't want to bring attention to herself by turning around to see. Perhaps after church was over she'd meet the baby's mother.
Lenore's musings ended abruptly when two barn swallows flew in and circled the building several times. Some of the elderly women ducked as the birds swooped close to their heads.
One of the ministers got up from his seat and opened both barn doors as wide as they would go. One swallow flew out, but the other bird circled a few more times, left its mark on Vernon King's shoulder, and flew out the door. Looking more than a bit perturbed, Vernon slipped out quietly and shut both doors.
Lenore fought the urge to laugh as she thought about something Grandpa had said once when a bird left its droppings on the porch. "It's a good thing cows can't fly."
She slumped on the bench. Oh, how I long to see the humorous side of Grandpa again. Lenore closed her eyes briefly and offered a prayer. What can I do to bring some joy into his life?
* * *
"Would you like me to hold the boppli while you eat?"
Jesse Smucker smiled at the elderly Amish woman who'd spoken to him as he held his daughter firmly on his knees.
"Umm ... that's okay, I can manage."
"All right, but don't hesitate to let me know if you change your mind." Smiling, the woman extended her hand. "My name is Mary Ruth Lapp."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Jesse Smucker, and this wiggle worm is my daughter, Cindy. She recently turned six months." He clasped Mary Ruth's hand, but released it quickly when Cindy reached up and pulled on his beard.
"I don't believe I've seen you at any of our services before. Are you and your wife here visiting someone today?" Mary Ruth questioned.
He shook his head. "I'm new to the area, and my wife, Esther, passed away during childbirth."
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Healing Jar"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Wanda E. Brunstetter.
Excerpted by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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