Swiss Cheese

A ten week summer hosting with a young teenage girl from Ukraine taught me many valuable lessons. God prompted the visit. He was with us during the visit and God continues after we said our farewell or in this case, until we meet again. Even though she was returning to her homeland, she had become a part of our family unit. Above all, she had become a part of the body of believers.

The last week of our hosting adventure brought about some extreme and heightened responses from the new member of our family. They became so drastic and outside the lines that I felt it was necessary to contact the hosting agency. I was promptly reassured that others were calling in on this last week of their stay. It was summarized that the bizarre acting out was a way of making us dislike them. This way, it would be easier for them to leave their new found love. It was time for unconditional love. They referred to them as, “Swiss Cheese Kids” and in the next breath explained, that we are all really Swiss cheese. I must admit, this analogy has helped me sit in my church pew with a bit more comfort. There always seems to be that sense of security when we know we are not alone.

I often think of the stack of Swiss cheese that has been neatly sliced from the deli counter. As you peel away the slices each hole does not match the other holes in the adjacent slice but each contains their very own unique pattern of holes. Yes, we all have holes. We are all imperfect people, in an imperfect world just being refined and perfected for our journey home. We are all simple Swiss Cheese…

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

The Most Important Lesson

Photo by: Lynn Johnson

When we first moved to Pennsylvania, we relocated to a quaint Amish area outside of  New Wilmington. There was not a day that I didn’t find delight in traveling the dirt roads through the scenic Amish countryside. Their pace was slow in comparison to the world that surrounded them but full of life’s purpose.

Their fields were planted with plenty for them and enough to feed the animals that would forage for their existence. I enjoyed creeping along at the slow pace behind the buggies. I drank in all the quiet   splendor of their way of life.

There were many days that I would pass as the Amish children were walking along the country roads. They would be walking on foot to their little one room school house. There were other days that I would catch a glimpse of them playing tag in a group ranging in age and height. An older student would sometimes be near watching them play; as the backdrop of billowing smoke rolled from the schoolhouse chimney. This stuck me as a scene from yesteryear before our days became so complicated and cluttered.

As I traveled down the dirt road and passed the Amish man behind his large framed draft horse, I would stop as a herd of Holstein cows crossed the road to make their way to the adjacent barn to be milked by hand. New Wilmington had its own cheese plant and this provided another means for the Amish family’s income and survival in the modern world that encroached their simple and plain existence.

Nearing the end of the dirt road was one of my favorite stops. As I pulled in, I would park my pick up truck next to one of the buggies that was tied to a hitching post. It took sometime for them to except me as not a tourist but a local who lived among them. This did not usually mean total acceptance, but what once seemed cold and skeptical was exchanged for a friendly encounter. The Amish tack shop was lite by kerosene lights that held an ambiance of warmth and tranquility. There seemed to be something relaxing as you meandered through the boots, saddles, and a small section of household goods. There was a quiet bustle as the older Amish men repaired a variety of leather goods at the front of their shop. As the yellow hue of lighting flickered, you could hear each step as you walked across the wooden floor. Something about that lighting and the hollow sounds with an occasional creek that made me want to return time and time again.

I learned much from these people. Probably one of the most important lesson was, they were never in a rush.

Maybe the similarity was Jesus. Even when His life was complicated, He never rushed. He embraced people with gentleness, truth, and compassion.

Lord in the business of my day; teach me to reflect and embrace on the simplicity of your ways. Let me remember to take a breath, focus on your character, embrace those around me, and not be in such a rush.

C.A. Bresin