Amish Proverbs

Amish Proverbs – Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life
Written by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Published at Revell

About the Book

Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history. and essence of the Plain People.   These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living – but they’re not just for the Amish.   They’re for anyone who seeks God’s wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life’s joys and sorrows.  With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.

Who is Suzanne Woods Fisher?

Suzanne Woods Fisher’s interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin Country, Pennsylvania.  Fisher is the author of Amish Peace and the bestselling novel The Choice, the first in her Lancaster County Secrets series.

My Thoughts

For those of you who follow my reviews, I have already mentioned my love for Amish novels.   Somehow I am attracted to these people and their simple life.   Would I jump on the first opportunity of becoming Amish?  Probably not but I wouldn’t mind experiencing it for a couple of days…

This book is different than the novels I have read.   It is as though I have an open door on how the Amish think or speak.   In a way I am having a peek of their Words of Wisdom.   And I enjoyed the book very much.   It made me smiled while I read the saying or when I saw the marvelous pictures included in the book.   I made me yearn to go back in Pennsylvania one day just to see them (we were there two years ago).  

The book’s chapters have themes like Time, Money, Faith, Children & Family, In Word & Deed, Work Ethic, Handling Adversity, Education, Community, Character as well as a special chapter titled Just for Fun where you can see that Amishes have a sense of humor as well.   Each chapter debuts with a little introduction where you have a glimpse on the way of thinking of the Amish concerning the theme of the chapter.  

For this specific review, I had the assignment to post a favourite proverb from the book.   I must admit that many jumped to me while I read the book.   These proverbs are profound and can touch your soul if you let the Spirit do so.   But one of my favourites is the following:

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.

Behind these words, I get a confirmation of my choice of homeschooling.   Sometimes, I have doubts that invaded my mind and I wonder about our decision.  But when I read this God tells me that indeed it was a good choice.   My boys recently attended a VBS at a church we used to attend in the past.  On the last day of the week, a lady who was volunteering approached me and told me that the boys were a delight to deal with and that they behaved above and beyond what was expected from them.    I was glad to hear this and thank her for telling me.  Knowing that they can behave when I am not there is a blessing to me.  

Another one that I particularly liked was

If you are too big to do little things, you are probably too little to be trusted with big things.

This applies to kids as well as adults.   If we are not happy doing the routine things in our lives, how can God bless us in giving us important tasks for His Kingdom.   We need to find contentment in our life, be happy with the little things and then opportunities might come knocking.  

Finally another

Know the Bible in your head, stow it in your heart, show it in your life,sow it in the world.

Ah.  So true and simple at the same time.   Little ones are following us and observing, they see us if we don’t read the Bible, if we don’t apply it (like asking forgiveness for example) and if we sow it in the world as well.   It is important to be living examples to our children so that they in turn can have an impact on the world (see the first proverb I selected…).  

As for personal proverbs well… I know some in French but translating them won’t mean anything.    I guess I could put them here. 

• “Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l’ours avant de l’avoir tuer.” which reminds us that telling something before it is completed is not good.  You might look foolish if it doesn’t happen or not finished.
• “Rien ne sert de courir, il faut partir à point.” which tells us that it is important not to wait at the last minute to do something.   This one is based on the Turtle and the Hare story.

This review was possible because the book, Amish Proverbs – Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life, has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Amish Proverbs – Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life is available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group including amazon.ca.

 

Great News!

Being part of a small group of reviewers (only 10 of us got the opportunity to participate to this blog tour!), I received another copy of the book to give away.

Here’s what you have to do.
1) Share a personal proverbs that you know of.

This entry is mandatory before proceeding further.

More entries opportunity if you do the following…

2) Follow Canadianladybug Reviews! on Blogger (see right side of the blog) and let me know about it.
3) Like Canadianladybug Reviews! on facebook and let me know about.
4) Follow me on twitter and leave me your twitter ID.
5) Blog about this contest and give me your link in a comment.
6) Become a member of LobsterNetwork and leave me your ID.  It’s free and you will be able to share your books/DVDs with friends or family!   Check it out!

Don’t forget to include your email for each steps.   No email means I will have to pick someone else.    I need to be able to contact you if you win!

Open to Canadians residents ONLY.

Deadline:  Thursday August 12th at noon.