I wouldn’t be surprised if many view the Amish as inflexible because they don’t hop on the rat-race like most folks. Why on earth don’t they install electricity, the Internet, and telephones in their homes, dress in the latest fashions, and drive cars? In some Amish church districts, even bicycles are verboten.
Many non-Amish people might see their adherence to their strict rules as a character flaw—that they’re downright stubborn, the way they cling to the old-fashioned ways, rather than see it as the Amish’s desire to follow the teachings of the Bible and the Ordnung (unwritten rules that guide everyday life) and their determination to maintain a close-knit community. Give a 16-year-old a car and what will he or she do? Skedaddle! Do you recall those TV public service announcements asking: “Do you know where your children are?” A sobering thought for parents of teenagers, who can be a wee bit obstinate.
I’ve seen six to eight mules in Lancaster County, PA, working without complaint, harvesting cornfields after sunset and pulling heavy loads in the heat. Mules are highly valued by the Amish and demand a hefty price. You might have noticed that Amish farmers often match their mules and horses in color and size—not a coincidence. Mules have incredible stamina and are said to consume less. An Amish farmer’s dream.
For fun, I Googled and asked: Are mules really stubborn? According to several articles, mules are faster in their initial learning than horses and donkeys, and more flexible than horses and dogs in unlearning bad habits, a trait many of us could use.
Now that I think about it, don’t parents appreciate their children when they stand up to an ill-behaving crowd rather than follow along with the pack just to fit in? Even as adults, aren’t we constantly barraged with choices between right and wrong, yet we worry others will think badly of us if we don’t agree? Have you been in this situation as a child or recently?
Leave a comment about any of the above and enter to win one novel from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: Leaving Lancaster, Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish! THREE winners will receive the novel of their choice! I will announce the winners right here next week, and I’ll email them. They will have one week to respond. USA and Canada.
Congratulations to Lisa L., Suzanne Woods Fisher’s winner of a copy of her novel The Searching. Thank you, Suzanne, for being my gracious blog guest, and many thanks to those who left insightful comments!
Oh and by the way would love to win your book!
Hi Kate. I have always heard the farmers talk about the stubborn mules. Nice to hear this opinion of them. Don’t understand wanting the colors alike unless because they do things alike. I think they think the way they live is close to the Bible teaching. I don’t believe in them not serving in the service when needed tho. GOD even sent armies of men to wipe out some others who aren’t living right and honoring him. And, tho they try to live close to Bible teachings, the Bishops just make up the Ordnung. And, I do believe some of it is wrong. And, I don’t agree the shunning when they are so forgiving of others and so many things. I do love the simpler ways they live tho, for too much competition in our world and too many just keep wanting more and not with GOD’s teaching about being in this world but not of it. We are to be different. I sure want to win your book. Thanks for a chance to win one. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
Thanks for writing, Maxie! As far as teams of draft horses and mules being the same color, I believe the farmers see their symmetry as beauty. Amish are not encouraged to be artists, and yet they built magnificent barns and grow vibrant flowers in their gardens, not to mention creating fabulous quilts. They see shunning as an act of love, as a way to help the lost returned to the fold. Good luck in the contest!
I wish my daughter would stand up against ill mannered (bullies) children. Last year when she entered first grade at a private school she had already finished three years at, it was a shocking experience. Suddenly kids were bullying and although she wasn’t standing with the bully nor doing whatever the bully wanted, she seemed to be floundering somewhere in the middle.
Oh, Jennifer, I feel so badly for your daughter. Thank you for giving a real life example of when being stubborn/stalwart/tenacious is a good quality. I have spoken to teachers about bullying and it appears to happen at almost any school to some degree. I pray your daughter finds a safe harbor when she returns to school in the fall.
I think of stubbornness as a trait anyone could have. I do not think of the Amish as being stubborn in their lifestyle but trying to hold on to their belief systems. I admire their choices to live separate from the mainstream to hold true to their faith.
Mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Jackie, I agree that stubbornness is a trait anyone could have. I used the word partly for fun, but I do think too many of us give up and relinquish our beliefs because we fear others will not like us. Our nation could use more stick-to-it-ness! Thanks for writing! him
No, they aren’t stubborn. They see what works and they carry it on. It kind of goes along with that whole if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. While ‘English’ are searching for meaning and value and purpose in their lives, the Amish live it every day. Look at how many people flock to “Amish Stores” to shop. They know when they buy there, they aren’t going to get some cheap Chinese made thing. So it seems we’re always trying to get back a ‘value’ and quality the Amish have always held.
Well said, Allie! They live out their values in a way that is sadly lacking in most of the country. And so true about buying in Amish stores, especially if the products have been made locally. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
The amish cling to their old ways because that is how they grew up and are more comfortable with. .some of the newer generation have rebelled but usually go back to the old ways.
Thanks for writing, Leslie! I’ve heard from good sources that almost 90% of the Amish youths eventually join the church and become faithful members of the community. Good luck in the giveaway!
I don’t see the Amish as being stubborn , they just believe in what their fathers and their fathers before believed in . Some Amish believe different than others . I love to read good Amish books . Would love to win one of your books .
lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love you to win one of my books, Elizabeth! I love reading a good Amish novel too. Thanks for writing and good luck in the contest!
I was born in Pennsylvania and always admired and respected they way the Amish live. I spent my honeymoon in Amish country and loved every moment. I moved to South Bend, Indiana and visited their Amish community. I have read every Amish related book I can get my hands on. I believe they are set in their ways because its what works for them. The saying goes ” don’t fix it if its not broke”. So leave well enough alone.
Absolutely, Donna, it works for them. I wish many of their marvelous customs and beliefs would spill over into our society. Thanks for writing!
I don’t see the Amish as being stubborn, It’s what they know. As much as we call it the simple life their lives aren’t really simple, they do hard work all day everyday. I don’t know that I could do all they do in a day. I tjink not having distractions helps that.
I can’t think of a more hard-working and industrious group of people, Susan! I was using the word stubborn partly out of fun, but being stubborn/tenacious/persistent can be very useful in this crazy world of ours. Thanks for writing!
I’ve read all three. Finished “Forever Amish” and will be leaving reviews today. For those of you that haven’t read “Forever Amish” you need to get your copy. Love it.
Thank you so much, Pat! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your enthusiasm and rave reviews!
I love reading about the Amish, I’m always looking for new books to come out.
I’m glad you enjoy reading about the Amish, Wilma! Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Proverbs 31 women! Love that they train their daughters in homemaking. I just received my 100% cotton Soho solids order from Sauder’s Fabric last week ~*~ being introduced from your Zook’s shop photo. Most solids locally are blends, so I am glad to have these for quilting. Thank you. I would like to win Pennsylvania Patchwork. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Sounds delightful, Kathleen! My first real job was in a fabric store that couldn’t hold a candle to Sauder’s & Zook’s. And I so agree about mothers training their daughters in homemaking. I want you to win a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork too. Good luck in the giveaway!
Thank you. I love ***s and would be able to put any scraps to good use! Blessings, Kathleen