Review of "Amish Peace" by Suzanne W. Fisher

Under a cozy quilt and by the light of my bedside lamp, I find myself picking up Suzanne W. Fisher’s latest book, Amish Peace. I’ve already completed it once this month, but it’s calling to me again. This time, I’m taking notes. My interest in one of America’s most fascinating ethnic groups, the Amish, is only one of the draws this book has. Comprised mostly of real-life stories from today’s Amish community (as told to the author) Amish Peace is dedicated to unveiling the secrets of this unique people’s tranquility of spirit. [The Amish:] may seem old fashioned, writes the author, but when it comes to living with an abiding peace, they are far beyond most of us living a frazzled, fast-paced modern life. So is the answer to living with abiding peace to “go Amish”? Hardly. We’d never survive anyway. Suzanne claims it’s possible to take the principles the Amish live by and adapt them to our lives without switching to horse and buggy. She has packaged their tried and true methods in a lovely, easy to absorb format and made it available to every “Englisher” willing to give it a try. Simplicity of life, the value of Time spent on what truly matters, a deep sense of Community, the important of Forgiveness, and the Sovereignty of God are all subjects Suzanne touches on. Readers of every age will be challenged by the principles laid out and by Suzanne’s probing reflections at the end of each chapter. As a homeschooling mom of two young children, I particularly felt God tugging at my heart to slow down, simplify life, re-prioritize, and begin to instill over-looked values into my kids’ lives. I found Amish Peace to be the most inspirational and challenging book of a practical, hands-on nature that I’ve read in ages. It comes highly recommended by this reviewer to be used either as a do-it-yourself study, or even better, as a group Bible study. Not written for either gender, this book is probably more appealing to women. Although the brave man who truly gets his heart and mind around these useful, godly principles can only benefit himself and his family to the glory of God. Amish Peace goes way beyond the popular Amish fiction books stocked on today’s bookstore shelves. It peels away the romantic mystery surrounding these gracious people and leaves a sense of camaraderie. After all, just like us, they’re flawed folk seeking to live a life more pleasing to God. It just seems to me, they’re more diligent at trying than most. They’ll be the first to admit they aren’t perfect, nor do they have it all figured out. But they do have a bucketful of wisdom worth sharing and you don’t have to trek to Lancaster County to get it. It’s only a book away.