Little Emmie smiled broadly when she and her aunt Barbara spotted Anna. Then Marianna, holding Baby Jimmy, led Anna toward the back of the line. “I’ll sit with ya during the fellowship meal following the service,” she whispered.

Though Anna didn’t quite know why, she felt unexpectedly emotional during the congregational singing, even though she wasn’t familiar with the melody and didn’t recognize all of the German words in the old hymnal, the Ausbund. Even so, there was something about the intense fervor with which the People sang the songs of the Anabaptist martyrs that tugged at her heartstrings.

There were two sermons, and the second one was based on Philippians chapter two, with an emphasis on verse eight: “‘And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’”

The middle-aged minister spoke of how Christ had demonstrated humility in order to prove his obedience to the Father. “Our Lord wasn’t afraid to plead for the cup of suffering to be removed from Him, but when it became clear that His Father’s plan required death upon a cross, Jesus was willing to be obedient, surrendering His will,” the well-spoken preacher stated. “From this, we can see that meekness and obedience are essential in our own lives. Because without humility, we cannot have obedience, nor the other way around.”

Anna thought about her predicament over Mart and Gabe in the context of this idea of surrender. Had she submitted her will fully to God’s? She sighed, wanting to humble herself and spend even more time in prayer.

Listening more intently now, Anna was grateful for this inspired message from God’s Word. Thankful, too, that she had come on this particular Sunday.

———

After the deacon’s benediction, the womenfolk and children headed outdoors to the backyard—except the women assigned to help set out the light meal on the tables. Anna was happy to walk around following the three-hour-long service, unaccustomed to that, but as she recalled how little Emmie had sat so quietly without fidgeting, it didn’t seem right to complain.

Barbara Mast waved and walked over with Emmie to suggest they go out to the calf pens to see the new calves. Three more of Barbara’s young nieces came running just then, all of them hugging Emmie and surrounding her before they headed toward the pens. Anna went along, as well, and while they stood and admired one of the newest calves, Emmie slipped her hand into Anna’s.

Smiling down at her, Anna wanted to lean over and hug her, but she settled for squeezing Emmie’s hand.

“Well, just look at you,” Barbara said, grinning at Anna, blue eyes sparkling.

Emmie’s become very attached to me, thought Anna as she and Emmie ambled to the next calf pen, Emmie not letting go.