Please Come Home Polly

By Polly Girod

August 13, 2014

Polly (Bontrager) Girod grew up in a conservative Missouri Amish community. She made prayer caps for the women in the church and was very talented at what she did. Sadly, though, the ministers in her church district did not like the prayer cap she had made for herself. First, they said, it was too small, then they complained that too much hair stuck out the front, too stylish they said, and fancy too. After five sincere tries, Polly got frustrated and left her family and community for good.
A former Amish stranger picked Polly up alongside the road and taxied her to another part of Missouri. When loved ones back home realized that Polly left them, they mourned and tried their hardest to find out where she had gone. By the time they caught up with her, Glen Yoder, and his wife Ida, had already started sharing the love of Jesus Christ with her. And then it happened, the Lord opened her eyes and she saw the salvation of the Lord. Polly (Bontrager) Girod reached out to Jesus that day --- Jesus reached out to Polly --- and a brand new baby was born into the Kingdom of God.
Soon thereafter, God led Polly to Samuel Girod, also former Amish and soon to be her husband. Today, they live in the state of Indiana and have their second child on the way.
This letter was written to Polly, by a cousin back in Missouri. It came several weeks after Polly had gone home for her grandmother’s funeral.

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Polly’s cousin writes: Oh Polly, just think, we could often write to each other or visit if only you would come home again! I know deep down in your heart you long to be back in the Amish church you promised to stand by or then you would not come home time and again! I felt badly that I did not at least shake your hand at Mommies (Grandma’s) funeral. You were gone before I knew it but I would have had the chance before that---I’m sorry! But why did I not? I wanted to, but Polly, every time I looked at you I had to cry! It hurt so much; things are no longer the same! If you no longer felt welcome or accepted in that church---there are many other Conservative Old Order churches which you would have been free to move in peace ---- under the same baptism. If we do not keep our promise to God, how do we think he will stay with us? Oh Polly, please don’t be upset with me. Let us think deeply where we are headed and keep praying, praying….

We are both married and both have had a baby. We would have had many things in common, if only … if only, you’d be at the home church. Just think how it would be if your Daughter should grow up and secretly literally run away from your home! You would not know where she was ---dead or alive --- for how many days! Then she’d go to a different church of believe or maybe no church at all and say it was God’s will. Would you, as her Mom, then also agree and say it was God’s will for her to run away from you and believe she loves you more now???

Polly please think back over the years gone by, and then think of what the years to come might bring. Yes, even think of your church-life and remember, not all Old Order Amish churches nor the ministers are same. Why not? Because everyone is different and we are all sinners. Maybe you’d say you no longer sin, you’re now perfect because you know you’ll get into Heaven. Now it seems like I am preaching to you and here I fail so often. But Polly, I want to tell you, if once you decide you truly want to come home and to stay, I’ll give you my address to write as often as you wish. As for now your letters are opened before I get them and even thrown away because they know where they come from.

Oh Polly, please come home before it is too late. Your cousin and friend and family.

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