Growing up, I learned many hymns, such as “The Old Rugged Cross,” “In the Garden,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Victory in Jesus.” The words to the songs spoke to my heart, just as the passages of Scripture I had committed to memory. The Bible verses, as well as the hymns, helped me survive a dysfunctional home life during my growing up years. In my adult life, scriptures, hymns, and choruses have sustained me through some difficult situations along the way.

Many of the hymns in the Amish Ausbund, as well as those hymns found in other denomination’s church hymnals, were written to help us understand the beliefs and suffering of those who wrote the hymns of old. These songs are a reminder of their faith, and were often written during times of suffering. They were also written to help us understand God and follow His ways.

The next time you sing a hymn, try to visualize the time period it was written, and the condition in which the writer of the hymn lived. Think about a favorite hymn and what it personally means to you.

In my upcoming children’s book, “Humble Pie,” which will be published in October, I deal with the topic of learning to be humble. The goal of every Amish church member is to be a humble person, not full of hochmut (pride). Everyone in the Amish community knows his or her place in life and must choose to be content with that. The Bible teaches us to be clothed with humility. That means we are to wear it all the time so that others may see Christ living in us. Humility isn’t just about not bragging; it’s about being willing to do the most menial tasks. It’s about serving others and thereby serving the Lord, without needing any recognition. The gentle humble spirit I’ve seen in my Amish friends encourages me to wear the clothes of humility, too. “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, then to divide the spoil with the proud.” Proverbs 16:19. What are your thoughts on the topic of humility? Do you think there is ever a time when it’s okay to brag?

A few months ago, my husband and I were in Sarasota, Florida, visiting with some of our dear Amish friends who had come there for a vacation. They’d only been there a few days when they got a call from home, saying someone new in their church district had passed away unexpectedly. This Amish couple, as well as the others who were with them, set aside the plans they’d made for the rest of their vacation. They quickly secured a ride home so they could be there for the funeral, and to offer comfort to the man’s grieving widow and children. I thought about their sacrifice and wondered how many of us “Englishers” would give up our vacation to return home for the funeral of someone we didn’t know that well.

One of the things I admire most about my Amish friends is their dedication to God and the love they show to others whenever there is a need. While they might not evangelize, hand out tracks, or go door-to-door, sharing the Good News, they are living, by example, the way our Lord wants each of us to live. Their lives, and the sacrifices they make for others, are a true testimony of their devotion to God.

I’ve done some soul-searching since our trip to Florida, and have asked myself what sacrificies I have made recently that would let others see the love of Jesus shining in me. How about you? Is there a way you can witness to others about Jesus by making some sacrificies this week?