The First Love

by Beverly Lewis

  Miriam hugged Maggie and led her to sit at the small table. “For the birthday girl!” she announced comically.

  “Puh! I’m hardly that,” Maggie said, shaking her head. “Never thought I’d see all of yous here today.”

  At that moment, Rachel arrived from next door, trying not to smile too broadly, since it seemed she had been in on the whole thing. She made a beeline for Maggie and placed a card in front of her. “Happiest birthday!”

  “Sweet of you,” Maggie said, delighted to see everyone and feeling nearly like royalty.

  When Andy and Stephen arrived with their wives, all the men went to the cellar to bring up folding tables and chairs, setting them up around the kitchen. “A few more folk are comin’,” Grace said with a grin at Maggie.

  Maggie was almost embarrassed; so many loved ones honoring her. It made her heart swell with joy.

  Miriam was already telling one story after another about growing up together in the big house next door, which kept everyone in stitches till a car pulled up and parked.

  “Can ya guess who this is?” Grace asked, her round face glowing.

  Maggie honestly didn’t know. “More kinfolk?”

  Miriam offered a little hint. “We’ll have us a fine preacher at the table tonight.”

  “Oh, wunnerbaar! Must be Cousin Lila and her husband.”

  Miriam pretended to zip her lips closed, her blue eyes dancing. Her amusing ways were still evident even at fifty-five. “A child at heart,” she described herself.

  Eagerly, Maggie looked toward the back door, and soon her cousin, smiling sweetly, stepped inside with Glenn, his wavy gray hair still showing traces of blond.

  “You’re here!” Leroy rose quickly and went to greet them, bringing them over to Maggie, who was seated quite snugly between the table and the wall behind her, unable to get out.

  “So nice to see you again!” Cousin Lila leaned in to hug her neck. “It’s been much too long.”

  Glenn shook her hand, saying, “Happy birthday, Maggie,” and then they were all trying to remember if it had been two years or three since Glenn and Lila had last visited.

  “However long, it’s great to be back,” Lila said, and Leroy escorted them to two saved spots at the main table. “Our children and grandchildren all wanted to come, too,” Lila added, “but we figured you’d have a full house as it is.”

  “Oh, bring them next time,” Maggie spoke up. “You really must.”

  Grace and others began to pass their birthday cards over to Maggie. “Go ahead an’ open them now,” her sister said, glancing at the wall clock.

  What’s going on? Maggie wondered, doing as she was told. There were homemade cards and store-bought, and each handwritten greeting meant so much to her. Some, like Grace’s, brought tears to her eyes. For all the years we told our secrets to each other, here’s to many more birthdays and sister-times together, Lord willing. Lots of love, Gracie.

  After Maggie read them, the cards were passed around so everyone could share in the words of celebration.

  “Denki,” Maggie said, glancing at the kitchen counter, where all the food was lined up. “I ’spect the meal’s getting cold,” she said, wondering why they were waiting.

  Not a second later, she heard whistling outside and looked to see dearest Jim coming in the back door, home early from a trip to do some emergency repairs for his elderly uncle and aunt in Somerset. “Happy birthday, love,” he said, coming over to greet her with a squeeze of her hand.

  “What a surprise!” She beamed up at him. “Thought you were stayin’ a few more days.”

  “You didn’t think I’d let ya celebrate your birthday alone, did ya?” Jim winked at her as he sat down at the head of the table, then said hullo to everyone.

  The women, all but Maggie, rose nearly in unison to uncover the food and bring it to the main table. And when it was time to ask the blessing, Jim motioned for Preacher Brubaker to do so.

  Glenn stood and folded his hands, and they all bowed their heads. “Father in heaven, we come to Thee in the name of our Savior, the Lord Jesus. We give thanks for Thy loving care and the blessings, too numerous to mention, evidenced in each life present here this evening. We ask, most gracious Father, that Thy will be accomplished in our lives as we live to serve and worship Thee. Thank Thee for our dear Maggie’s life, for her dedication to Thy will, and for all who are gathered here to celebrate her birthday. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”

  Maggie noticed she wasn’t the only one brushing back tears as the food was dished up and passed to the person on the right. Miriam and Joanne then carried the hot dishes and the meatloaf over to the two smaller tables.

  The conversations were interesting, with several going at once, all of them scattered about the kitchen. Never as a teenager was Maggie’s sixty-fifth birthday one she had imagined. Back then, she might have wondered if anyone would come to celebrate with her, should she live so long, but so much had changed since those distressing days. Best of all, she’d married the young man who’d accepted her as she was, and who embraced her first Love as his own, their Lord and Savior . . . and closest Friend.

  She and Jim had married in the very house where Dat and Mamm had brought up their children, the home where Rachel had stepped in and helped finish what Mamm began, as well as added to the family with her girls. Maggie and Jimmy had said their marriage vows to God and the bishop while Maggie leaned on her trusty walker.

  Maggie and Jim had never had children, but they loved to spend time with their many nephews and nieces, encouraging each of them to read the Good Book and to talk to God daily.

  ———

  Prior to Maggie’s cutting the birthday cake, Rachel’s twins, Lizzy and Lucy, arrived, another delightful surprise. Jim welcomed them to what had become an out-and-out party.

  Extra chairs were brought in from the sitting room around the corner, and Lizzy apologized for being late. “We left our husbands over at the Bird-in-Hand Fire Company Auction.”

  Jim nodded. “Maybe they’ll drop by and join us later?”

  Lucy glanced at Lizzy. “They know they’re welcome to. Denki, Jim.”

  Having her half sisters present brought Maggie even more joy. Each member of her close-knit family was present now, except Dat and Mamm, who were surely looking down from above.

  Because it was such cramped quarters with all of her dear ones there, eating and chatting and having a wunnerbaar-gut time, Maggie wondered why someone hadn’t thought to have this supper next door at the main house. But then, how would they have managed to surprise her so?

  It’s all right. We’re together, and that’s what counts, she thought, looking with admiration at her husband, the kindest and most understanding man—the greatest gift of her life, apart from the Lord Jesus Christ.

  When Jim caught her looking his way, he whispered, “Ich liebe dich, Maggie.” Everyone around them was so busy talking, she doubted anyone noticed as she reached beneath the table to pat his knee, thankful beyond words.

  Epilogue

  I can’t say exactly when it happened—not the very hour, anyway. But a few weeks after Jimmy and I were wed, while we were still staying at my father’s house in my old bedroom, Jimmy asked my father to join him in praying for me. Leroy wanted to, as well, and I remember being seated in Mamm’s hickory chair there in the front room, where the sunshine tumbled in that early December afternoon.

  I felt the weight of their caring hands on my head and shoulders, my cane propped against the chair. Jimmy’s voice began to rise, filling the room as he dared to pray for my healing.

  Honestly, I didn’t feel any particular sensation roll over me, like some folk experience, but I trusted that what the Lord had placed in my young husband’s heart was divinely ordained.

  Come to think of it, two full days passed before I realized that I was fully without pain. This time, I didn’t let myself fall into my old way of thinking of past patterns of good days followed by bad. Nee, not when Jimmy had prayed
so earnestly, believing in faith for my healing.

  After a week and then a month, followed by a year, Jimmy and I were convinced I was healed. We didn’t tell it around like some might, but we daily acknowledged in prayer that God had graciously given me a miracle in the privacy of Dat’s front room.

  Aunt Nellie was one of the first to declare it a divine healing, and she continued to encourage me. We read the Bible together at every opportunity while Jimmy and I prepared for our move to a rented house and small farm after the relatives had finished dropping by with wedding gifts that first month at Dat’s. In the meantime, there had been Christmas cookie exchanges and suppers with the whole family together under one roof to celebrate. Then came Second Christmas, with even more visiting and meals to make and serve.

  Recalling that remarkable first year of marriage now, when Jimmy not only got the girl he loved so truly, but also a strong and robust wife, after all, makes me miss the people who were so involved in our lives at that time. Dear ones like Dat, as well as Great-aunt Nellie, and Jimmy’s parents, too. It was a tender time, really, and even now, it’s the little things that still bring back the smells, the sounds, and the happiness of those months. To this day, I still use Nellie’s mother’s old comfort quilt as a reminder to pray for everyone I know, especially for those who are in need of the Savior’s touch.

  Thanks to our heavenly Father, Jimmy and I have built our life together on those former struggles and every lesson we learned along the way. Lord willing, we still have some years ahead, and we pray that we honor Him in every choice we make.

  When I find myself alone with the Good Book or in prayer, I realize afresh that God brought something beautiful and good out of what had been so devastating. And when He planted a seed of desire for healing in my heart, it was not a passing whim or a mere dream. It was an absolute gift.

  Author’s Note

  At the time of this writing, I have just completed the first draft for this book, and word of Rev. Billy Graham’s passing is being reported on every news outlet around the world. His first tent crusade in 1949 was the inspiration for the Lancaster County tent revival meetings of 1951 featured in this book. Billy Graham was, of course, the most famous tent evangelist of all, a man who influenced many ministers to travel the country and spread the Good News to any who would listen. My own father pitched a large tent not far from the location of the crusade Maggie Esh attends. There, for two consecutive summers, he conducted six-week evangelistic meetings where various evangelists preached the gospel and the sick were healed by God’s miraculous power.

  My sincere appreciation goes to the Plain friends I interviewed who remembered specific aspects about the actual Mennonite tent crusades in Lancaster County during those summers of 1951 and 1952. It was a privilege and a blessing to hear their accounts of salvation and great encouragement in the faith. I am also thankful to Hank and Ruth Hershberger for help with the Pennsylvania Dutch words and phrases in this book.

  Dave Lewis, my dear husband, was my greatest encourager during the writing and revisions of this particular book, so near to my heart. How very blessed I am to have had his insight into this story!

  Our children, Julie, Janie, and Jonathan, and our granddaughter, Ariel, also cheered me on, as did my sister, Barbara, who as a young girl also rejoiced in the spiritual victories of Dad’s tent revivals in Lancaster County, where we learned firsthand about the power of prayer!

  I appreciate the editorial guidance of David Horton, Rochelle Glöege, and Ann Parrish, as well as the faithful prayers of my publicist, Amy Green, and the devoted prayer group at Bethany House Publishers and among my thousands of reader-friends. May God abundantly bless each of you!

  Soli Deo Gloria—to the glory of God alone!

  Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is the New York Times bestselling author of more than one hundred books. Her stories have been published in twelve languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother’s Plain heritage has inspired Beverly to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with The Shunning, which has sold more than one million copies and is an Original Hallmark Channel movie. In 2007 The Brethren was honored with a Christy Award.

  Beverly has been interviewed by both national and international media, including Time magazine, the Associated Press, and the BBC. She lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.

  Visit her website at www.beverlylewis.com or www.facebook.com/officialbeverlylewis for more information.

  Books by Beverly Lewis

  The First Love • The Road Home

  The Proving • The Ebb Tide

  The Wish • The Atonement

  The Photograph • The Love Letters

  The River

  HOME TO HICKORY HOLLOW

  The Fiddler • The Bridesmaid

  The Guardian • The Secret Keeper

  The Last Bride

  THE ROSE TRILOGY

  The Thorn • The Judgment

  The Mercy

  ABRAM’S DAUGHTERS

  The Covenant • The Betrayal

  The Sacrifice • The Prodigal

  The Revelation

  THE HERITAGE OF LANCASTER COUNTY

  The Shunning • The Confession

  The Reckoning

  ANNIE’S PEOPLE

  The Preacher’s Daughter

  The Englisher • The Brethren

  THE COURTSHIP OF NELLIE FISHER

  The Parting • The Forbidden

  The Longing

  SEASONS OF GRACE

  The Secret • The Missing

  The Telling

  The Postcard • The Crossroad

  The Redemption of Sarah Cain

  Sanctuary (with David Lewis)

  Child of Mine (with David Lewis)

  The Sunroom • October Song

  Beverly Lewis Amish Romance Collection

  Amish Prayers

  The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

  The Beverly Lewis Amish Coloring Book

  www.beverlylewis.com

  Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook

  Website: www.bethanyhouse.com

  Facebook: Bethany House

  Twitter: @Bethany House