Looking for a Miracle (21 page)

Rebekah closed the drawer of the cash register as an English man and his two small children left the greenhouse, carrying a pot of petunias. It had been a good year for her and Daniel’s business and for them as a married couple, as well.

Their home, built by Rebekah’s and Daniel’s fathers, was connected to her parents’ house. It gave them a place of their own, yet they were near enough to family to have help available should it be needed.

Rebekah smiled to herself. She and Daniel had been married a little over a year now, and their love seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

Daniel no longer helped his father in the dairy business. He was too busy helping out at the greenhouse or building wooden gadgets to sell. He had added weather vanes, wind chimes, and lawn furniture to the other items he sold in the store. Rebekah had also begun selling wicker baskets and plant stands for her flowers and plants.

In the summertime, they sold bottles of Dad’s quick homemade root beer and some of the tasty shoofly pies Mom often baked. In the wintertime, they offered coffee and hot chocolate and several kinds of cookies.

They were making enough money to live comfortably. Their meat and milk were supplied by Daniel’s father in exchange for fresh vegetables from the garden Daniel tended in the summer months. Mom saw that they had plenty of fresh eggs and chicken meat whenever they needed it, too. Setting her pride aside, Rebekah had learned to accept help from all available sources. She’d proven to herself that she could be financially self-sufficient, but it was no longer so important. What truly mattered was the love of family and friends, and especially, God’s love.

Rebekah was jolted by the shrill sound of a baby crying. She left the cash register and wheeled quickly into the back room. Next to Rebekah’s cot sat a wooden cradle, handmade with love by the little one’s father.

Reaching into the cradle, Rebekah picked up her month-old baby daughter. “Little Anna, are you hungry?” she crooned. The baby nestled against her mamm’s breast and began to nurse hungrily. “If your namesake, Grandma Anna Stoltzfus, could only have seen you,” Rebekah whispered, “I’m sure she would have loved you as much as we all do.” She stroked the soft, downy hair on top of her baby’s small head and closed her eyes.

“She’s sure a miracle, sent straight from God, jah?”

Rebekah’s eyes flew open, and she stared up at her tall, bearded husband. Blinking away the tears of joy that had crept into her eyes, she said, “She certainly is. I never dreamed God would be so good as to give us a child of our own. Someday I hope little Anna and her cousin Martha Rose will have a special friendship like Mary Ellen and I have had for so many years.”

Daniel bent down and touched his warm lips to Rebekah’s mouth, causing little shivers to spiral up her arms. She never got tired of his kisses, nor of the look of love that so often crossed his face.

“Your faith has become strong, and God has given our girl a blessed gift having you as a mudder.” Daniel kissed Rebekah again. “I thank God for baby Anna and for the love we share.”

Rebekah wiped more tears from her eyes and murmured, “I thank God for all of His miracles.”

Mix all ingredients well and pour into jars. Cover and set in the sun for 4 hours. Chill before serving the next day.

As a child, Rebekah suffered a freak accident that left her legs paralyzed. Now, confined to a wheelchair most of the time, she feels that she will never measure up to the expectations of her Pennsylvania Amish community that a woman marry and raise a family. She longs to be loved for who she is, but she has come to believe that marriage is not for her and that she will always be a burden to her family.

When Daniel Beachy—who has long seemed smitten by Rebekah's cousin-begins to spend time with Rebekah, she believes it is only because he feels sorry for her and is interested in obtaining her new business. After all, what man would choose a woman with a handicap such as hers for a wife?

Will Rebekah ever find the miracle she is looking for?

Wanda E. Brunstetter LIVES IN WASHINGTON STATE, WHERE HER HUSBAND PASTORS, BUT SHE TAKES EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT AMISH SETTLEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATES.