Keeping life simple

We visited Kalona Iowa the other day. There is a population of Mennonite and Amish people living in that area. They are disciplined, hard-working people. They keep life focused and simple. They act to keep worldly distractions out of their lives. Kalona is farmland. There are acres of fields with farm houses and barns. As we crossed into one area, there were not even power lines overhead. We went into a shop that made hand-made woodworking. I went outside as Sheri and her sister shopped. Coming up the gravel road was a tractor. The operator was a young man. It wasn't an uncommon sight in this town, but what was unusual were the tractor tires. They were steel. I had seen some other tractors there without rubber wheels and wondered about the purpose. Back in the shop, the proprietor - who was Mennonite, explained. She said that there are differing beliefs among the Amish and Mennonite members. In one particular persuasion of the Amish, no rubber wheels are permitted. The objective of this is to limit the comfortable distance that the vehicle may travel. The explanation included the historic purpose of this practice which was that the younger members not easily travel outside of the influence of the group. I felt respect for this young man as he passed.

For what he had been taught, he was obedient to his beliefs. I don't know him, but I could assure him that the peace and the simplicity of his lifestyle was probably priceless in a world of complexity that is creating anxiety in so many. Too many of us spend the abundance of our time with man's creations.God's gifts to us are simple and beautiful. They are given to all freely and begin with a blue sky, green grass, beautiful surroundings and the opportunity to live in harmony with his creations.