He nodded. “Why no electricity?”
Evelyn had been asked this plenty of times too. “We try to stay detached from outsiders. Not because we believe ourselvesto be better than others, but because we are secure in our faith and try not to involve ourselves with others who might beunequally yoked.”
He cringed. “It kinda does sound like you believe yourselves to be better. What do you mean by ‘unequally yoked’?”
She thought about the best way to explain their beliefs. “Let’s see. Okay . . . for example, I know for sure that everyonein our community is faith-driven and committed to Gott. But when I meet new people, I don’t know if they share my beliefs.”
He stared at her for a while. “But it’s not up to you to judge whether or not someone is worthy. Only God can do that.”
Evelyn wasn’t prepared for this conversation. “I didn’t say worthy. That’s not the right word. I’m just saying that we stand together as a group that believes the same way, so detachment from the outside world is encouraged.”
“But . . .” He stroked his chin. “I heard Quinn and Hal talking about a restaurant they ate at that is run by Amish people.How is that being detached?”
“I-I . . . don’t know how to explain it. Someone like the bishop or even mei daed could give a better explanation.”
“Sorry, I’m not trying to knock your religion. Not at all. I’m just curious about how you live because it’s so different.I’m not saying different is better or worse.”
Evelyn tugged Millie to a stop when they reached the park.
“There’s just one more thing.” Jayce paused, long enough to make her nervous about what he might ask her. “How long is yourhair?”
She smiled. “Long.” Then she stepped out of the buggy, reached into the back seat, and retrieved the basket of food.
They walked to a picnic table, and Evelyn set down the basket. She faced Jayce, folding her arms across her chest. “You’rea believer.”
“You say that like it surprises you.” He raised an eyebrow.
Evelyn tried to corral her thoughts. “I guess it doesn’t. Or it shouldn’t. But you’re very passionate when you talk aboutGod. That’s nice.”
He shrugged, then pointed at the sky. “Me and God are on good terms. I just have a lot of questions, mostly about organizedreligion.”
Evelyn began unpacking the basket, hoping he didn’t ask her any more questions about God. She didn’t feel qualified to provide answers. But her curiosity about that last comment was too strong to ignore. “Like what kind of questions?”
“I wasn’t raised as a believer, at least not by my parents. When I visited my grandparents as a kid, they took me to church.Some of it stuck, but it wasn’t until I was older that I really learned about a relationship with God. I guess you could saya friend introduced me to Him.” He scratched his cheek. “I guess it’s confusing to me how different religions interpret theBible in various ways. I’ve gone to a lot of different churches over the years, but none of them seem to be a fit for me.It’s left me with questions.”
Evelyn smiled. “I don’t think any of us have all the answers. It’s a journey, and we learn along the way. I don’t think Hecares how we find Him, just that we do.”
“I’m willing to go with that.” He sat on the bench at the picnic table, eyeing the offerings. Evelyn sat opposite him.
“Hmm . . .”
Evelyn set out two plates, then stilled her hands. “Hmm, what?”
He shrugged again. “It’s nice to be able to talk about God so openly and without judgment.”
It was the last topic of conversation Evelyn could have expected, but she was glad Jayce had a relationship with God. Especiallysince she’d sensed that he might be lost. Something in his eyes spoke to her, but maybe she’d misread him.
She lowered her head in prayer, and Jayce did too.
After they filled their plates, Jayce stared at her from across the table. “Okay, here’s a question about God for you.”
Uh-oh. “What’s that?” She expected him to ask the question she’d first asked her parents about God. Why does God let bad things happen to good people? It was a common question, and Evelyn could remember her father’s answer clearly. “We don’t question Gott’s will.” She wasn’t sure Jayce would accept that answer.
“So . . . regarding organized religion.” He raised an eyebrow. “Who’s right? I mean, you’ve got your Protestants, Catholics,Muslims, Mormons, Amish, and a bunch of other religious organizations that believe theirs is the right way to heaven. Whodo you think is right?”
After a few seconds, when she didn’t answer, he said, “I’m sure you believe that being Amish is the best religion and themost surefire way to get to heaven.”
Evelyn opened her mouth to say something, but words weren’t forming any sentences that made sense. “I, uh . . . I don’t knowthat I would say that. It’s not mei place to judge other religions.”
Jayce was quiet for a while. He was on his second sandwich before Evelyn had eaten even half of hers. “Ironically, I don’tknow anything about yours,” he said after taking a drink of tea.
Evelyn would have to agree with that. His studies must not have taken him anywhere near the Amish way of life. But she wantedto shift the conversation in another direction before she rattled off something that didn’t make sense or was untrue in theeyes of God. He was starting to confuse her. She’d been taught not to question her upbringing or relationship with God.
Since he hadn’t posed a direct question, she pointed across the field adjacent to the park. “When we were young, we used to run that way about a half mile. There’s a cave. Not a big one like people tour. It’s a small one, just big enough to crawl inside. We used to get on our hands and knees and go about ten feet to a space the size of the living room at
