Andy and Naomi Conviction Won, Part 1

Andy and his wife, Naomi, live in the heart of Amish country with their seven children where he works as a carpenter, handyman, and furniture builder. Naomi and the older children work in a large vegetable garden on their farm. At first glance, one would assume the family fit perfectly in the Amish world.

But while they still maintain the Amish lifestyle they were happily brought up in, they have been shunned from the church and from their families as a result of becoming Sabbath-keeping believers. Taking a stand for their faith has come at a great price, but they claim without hesitation that it is worth it. “No one can deny our joy,” says Andy.

How did Andy, an Amish man living in the heart of Amish country, become a Sabbath-keeper? It all began when a Sabbath-keeping neighbor gave Andy’s brother a copy of an Amazing Facts magazine on Daniel and Revelation. When Andy and his brother compared the contents of the magazine to the Bible, they could see that the teachings were true.

Later, the neighbor shared a copy of a Christian book that caused Andy to spend long periods of time pondering new truths that were both wonderful and challenging. Then he received The Great Controversy and was familiar with stories of the martyrs. “But the second half was new! When I read that book, there was no question in my mind that it was inspired.”

Andy and his wife, Naomi, had been taught the Ten Commandments since their childhood. But Andy had always wrestled with the question of why the Amish did not keep the fourth commandment. He also had suffered much inner conflict over the question of why a God of love would cause people to suffer in hell for eternity. “I would stay awake at night and think about these things,” Andy recalls. “When I read the Amazing Facts magazine, I came to understand the truth.”

Andy shares that it was a joy and relief to discover answers to questions he had struggled with for so long. But it was also a challenge to think about what would happen if he took a stand. Finally, though, conviction won. “I realized I was living a lie, and I could not do that.”

Naomi also had challenges to work through.

Reflect: Have you ever wrestled with a decision to obey God when it might upset family or friends? The Lord promises to honor those who honor Him.

Key Bible Texts

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37 KJV)