Looking for a Miracle (Brides of Lancaster County)

Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour Publishing (2007)
ISBN 1597892998
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (1/07)

As a child, Rebekah Stoltzfus suffered an accident in a lightning storm which has left her confined to a wheelchair much of the time.  Rebekah has now grown into a young woman and watches as her best friend and cousin, Mary Ellen, makes plans involving marriage and children.  As for Rebekah, she believes her condition will never allow her to marry, for with partial paralysis, her limitations would never enable her to fulfill the obligations of a proper Pennsylvania Amish wife.  Besides, what man would want a wife confined to a wheelchair that might never be able to conceive a child or properly take care of an energetic toddler?  No, a normal life is out of the question for Rebekah, without a miracle from God.

Self-pity pulling her down, Rebekah sets her sights on doing something that will allow her to be self-supporting and less dependent on her family.  The pain of losing her beloved grandmother and caregiver has made Rebekah realize she must set some goals and work to achieve them, even if she has obstacles to overcome.  Rebekah prays for a miracle from God—a way to become self-supporting.

Knowing her love of flowers, Cousin Mary Ellen suggests operating a greenhouse.  Rebekah loves the idea, and the family, along with a few friends, enthusiastically pitches in to build the greenhouse very near the Stoltzfus’ home, completely wheelchair accessible of course.  Rebekah works hard in her new greenhouse business, as word of “Grandma’s Place,” the name Rebekah has chosen for her business, travels around the close knit Amish community of Lancaster County, and the business is a complete success.

Daniel Beachy begins hanging around Rebekah and her greenhouse, and Rebekah thinks she may have feelings of more than friendship for Daniel.  Rebekah denies the feelings, for she knows any type of relationship is simply out of the question for a woman like herself.  Rebekah becomes angry when she learns Daniel is only interested in her business and merely feels sorry for her.  Besides that, why would any man want a handicapped woman for a wife?  It is obvious to Rebekah that Daniel wants to inherit her greenhouse business and get away from dairy farming, his father’s chosen profession and one Daniel vehemently dislikes.

“Looking for a Miracle” is refreshing, wholesome, and unpretentious.  It is about the simple life of a group of Amish folks and the community they live in.  It describes the simple life they lead, their love for the Lord, the importance of prayer, and the high importance they place on the members of their family. This book contains some very important lessons on the things that are most important in life.  I give the highest recommendation I can give, plus more, to this exceptional story. “Looking for a Miracle” is Book Two in The Brides of Lancaster County series.  It is very appropriate, and recommended, for all ages of readers.

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