This letter was written after Joe Keim asked his father for a blessing,
but his father chose not to, believing Joe was living outside of God’s will.
Dad and mom,
I read your letter with a heavy heart, feeling the depth of your love, sorrow, and yearning for peace. First and foremost, I want to say that I love you both deeply, and no matter where life has taken us, that love has never faded.
It pains me to know that you carry such burdens, and I wish I could ease them for you. I know we have faced differences, moments of uncertainty, and choices that have led us down separate paths, but please know that my respect and gratitude toward you both remain unchanged.
Your words remind me of the strength of family, the way love endures even when tested. I want nothing more than for us to find a way to meet each other with understanding, without bitterness or blame. I do not wish for you to suffer quietly, nor to feel isolated in your pain.
It’s understandable that you might blame yourself for the fact that five of us chose to step away from the culture you hold so close to your heart. But please know that this was a decision each of us made individually, it was never a reflection of anything you did or didn’t do. You should not carry that burden on your shoulders.
It seems that you believe God calls us to follow Amish traditions and rules alongside trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation. However, we see it differently, we believe that salvation is not dependent on any man-made customs or regulations. Jesus Christ alone is the way for all people to come to the Father in heaven. Our faith rests entirely in Him, not in earthly traditions, culture, or a manmade system of beliefs.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If there are any Amish people in heaven, it is only because they put their entire trust in Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Looking back over the years, I have tried to understand your perspective, and it seems that the reason we cannot fellowship together is simply because we chose a different path from the Amish traditions and culture. If that is truly the case, my heart aches for the time we have lost years, that could have been filled with love, understanding, and connection instead of distance. I long for a day when we can see beyond our differences and embrace the bond that has always been there.
I believe we both understand that in heaven, there will be only one group, those who have trusted in Jesus and been born again. Earthly traditions and cultures, including Amish customs, will not carry beyond this life. They are part of our reality here, but they do not define eternity. What truly matters is our faith and relationship with God, which goes beyond all human traditions and differences.
Romans 10:12–13 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
If you ever feel moved to pray a blessing over us and your grandchildren, we would be grateful to receive it. If you choose not to, I will fully respect and accept your decision. No matter what, we know that our Father in heaven has already blessed us abundantly, far beyond anything we could ever ask for.
With great love and desire to spend time with you,
Joe Keim