C HAPTER 1
Charm, Ohio
T hat son of mine can sure get under my skin,” Eustace grumbled, pacing the living-room floor. Never once had Joel apologized for the hurt he’d caused his family by leaving the Amish church. Even worse, he only came around whenever he wanted something and didn’t act interested in being part of their family. With the exception of Eustace’s eight-year-old grandson, Scott, Joel had hardly spoken to anyone during his visit here tonight. It would have been nice if Joel had actually stayed the night and the two of them could have visited like any normal father and son. But no, Joel let his temper get the best of him and stormed out the door.
Guess I can’t blame him, though. Joel was upset because I wouldn’t loan him twenty-five thousand dollars.
Eustace frowned.
It was a lot of money to ask for—an amount Joel would probably never pay back.
It wasn’t because Eustace didn’t have adequate funds in the bank—he had more than enough to loan Joel.
But if I’d given it to him, what would it teach my selfish son? He has
to learn responsibility sometime in his life. After all, he’s twenty-six years old.
Eustace stopped pacing and stared at his wife’s old rocking chair, empty and void without her. “This is your fault, Effie.” He pointed at the chair as if she were sitting there. “Our son has become ungrateful for everything we’ve done for him. You spoiled him rotten from the time he was born.”
Eustace stood by Effie’s chair, using his foot to get it rocking in motion. As the chair creaked back and forth, he could almost see his wife looking defiantly back at him. The more he thought about what Effie would have said if she were there, the more he had to admit she’d probably be right. After having three daughters, Eustace had been so excited to have a boy when Joel came along that he’d been a bit too permissive as well. He’d often looked the other way when Joel had done something he shouldn’t, and he’d given him things he probably didn’t need.
In some ways Joel reminded Eustace of himself. As a youngster he’d been full of energy, anxious to explore the world, and always looking to try new things.
But I was grounded in my faith.
Eustace sat down in Effie’s rocker, grasping the arms of the chair.
Well, at least in most things. I stayed true to my church and family. That’s more than Joel can say.
Eustace’s gaze came to rest on the Bible lying on the small table beside him. Effie’s Bible. When the children were all living at home, their mother would gather them around the rocking chair every evening while she read a passage of scripture out loud. Then after the children were grown and out on their own, she’d read to Eustace. Afterward, they would discuss the verses and how they applied to their life. Eustace missed those days. He missed everything about his dear wife and all they’d done together. He and Effie had been deeply in love, and he’d never grown tired of learning more about her.
Because Effie is gone doesn’t mean I should neglect Bible reading.
Eustace picked up her Bible and opened it to a section in the book of Luke she’d marked with a white ribbon. Holding the book made him feel closer to Effie. He noticed the page had several verses underlined—in fact, a whole passage about the prodigal son that started at verse 11 of chapter 15.
A lump formed in Eustace’s throat as he read the story. Joel was like the prodigal, only he had never come back repentant. His vision blurred, and his heart ached for his son.
He
needs to repent, Lord,
Eustace prayed.
Even if Joel never comes back to live as an Amish man, I hope he will find his way back to You. If there is anything I can do to help my son see the error of his ways, please show me how.
Wiping tears with his shirtsleeve, he murmured, “My job as Joel’s father is to help him get on the right path. Effie would agree with me wholeheartedly on that. My
kinner
are too important for me to
Charm, Ohio
T hat son of mine can sure get under my skin,” Eustace grumbled, pacing the living-room floor. Never once had Joel apologized for the hurt he’d caused his family by leaving the Amish church. Even worse, he only came around whenever he wanted something and didn’t act interested in being part of their family. With the exception of Eustace’s eight-year-old grandson, Scott, Joel had hardly spoken to anyone during his visit here tonight. It would have been nice if Joel had actually stayed the night and the two of them could have visited like any normal father and son. But no, Joel let his temper get the best of him and stormed out the door.
Guess I can’t blame him, though. Joel was upset because I wouldn’t loan him twenty-five thousand dollars.
Eustace frowned.
It was a lot of money to ask for—an amount Joel would probably never pay back.
It wasn’t because Eustace didn’t have adequate funds in the bank—he had more than enough to loan Joel.
But if I’d given it to him, what would it teach my selfish son? He has
to learn responsibility sometime in his life. After all, he’s twenty-six years old.
Eustace stopped pacing and stared at his wife’s old rocking chair, empty and void without her. “This is your fault, Effie.” He pointed at the chair as if she were sitting there. “Our son has become ungrateful for everything we’ve done for him. You spoiled him rotten from the time he was born.”
Eustace stood by Effie’s chair, using his foot to get it rocking in motion. As the chair creaked back and forth, he could almost see his wife looking defiantly back at him. The more he thought about what Effie would have said if she were there, the more he had to admit she’d probably be right. After having three daughters, Eustace had been so excited to have a boy when Joel came along that he’d been a bit too permissive as well. He’d often looked the other way when Joel had done something he shouldn’t, and he’d given him things he probably didn’t need.
In some ways Joel reminded Eustace of himself. As a youngster he’d been full of energy, anxious to explore the world, and always looking to try new things.
But I was grounded in my faith.
Eustace sat down in Effie’s rocker, grasping the arms of the chair.
Well, at least in most things. I stayed true to my church and family. That’s more than Joel can say.
Eustace’s gaze came to rest on the Bible lying on the small table beside him. Effie’s Bible. When the children were all living at home, their mother would gather them around the rocking chair every evening while she read a passage of scripture out loud. Then after the children were grown and out on their own, she’d read to Eustace. Afterward, they would discuss the verses and how they applied to their life. Eustace missed those days. He missed everything about his dear wife and all they’d done together. He and Effie had been deeply in love, and he’d never grown tired of learning more about her.
Because Effie is gone doesn’t mean I should neglect Bible reading.
Eustace picked up her Bible and opened it to a section in the book of Luke she’d marked with a white ribbon. Holding the book made him feel closer to Effie. He noticed the page had several verses underlined—in fact, a whole passage about the prodigal son that started at verse 11 of chapter 15.
A lump formed in Eustace’s throat as he read the story. Joel was like the prodigal, only he had never come back repentant. His vision blurred, and his heart ached for his son.
He
needs to repent, Lord,
Eustace prayed.
Even if Joel never comes back to live as an Amish man, I hope he will find his way back to You. If there is anything I can do to help my son see the error of his ways, please show me how.
Wiping tears with his shirtsleeve, he murmured, “My job as Joel’s father is to help him get on the right path. Effie would agree with me wholeheartedly on that. My
kinner
are too important for me to
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