When I was in sem, I got in trouble for using the word ‘gee’ in a sermon. Now, for me the word ‘gee’ is just an idiomatic expression. But for those conservative Dutchmen, the word ‘gee’ was the equivalent to saying God. After all, they both have three letters and start with the letter G.

The CRC has an unwritten set of rules for daily life that are passed on from generation to generation through oral tradition. Since I wasn’t raised CRC, I never got those rules. And thus, did not know the rule about the word ‘gee’ . Oh well, that is one of the reasons why I left sem.

A few years back, I visited a popular Amish community. Near the edge of town, there was an Amish farmer working his fields with a team of horses. I watched in fascination as he controlled his team by yelling ‘gee’ and ‘haw’. After all, both of his hands were needed to hold the plow so he had to rely on voice commands to steer his team.

As he approached the edge of the field next to me, I commented on his team and how well they obeyed his commands. Knowing that the Amish are very religious, I asked him if he was bothered by using the word ‘gee’.

Since he didn’t seem to know what I was talking about, I went on to explain what the word ‘gee’ means to some people. He thanked me for my explanation and then went on to say that for everyone in this community, the word gee is used to steer a team.

Interesting. I wondered what my brethren back in Grand Rapids would think?

I thanked the man for his time and then said ‘Goodbye’ to which he replied ‘and with ye’. Since I was confused by his response, I asked him what he meant by ‘and with ye’? My question surprised the farmer and now we were both confused. Finally he told me that I had said ‘Goodbye’ which is short for ‘God be with ye” and that is why he said ‘and with ye’.

Oh, now I understand. ‘Goodbye’ really means ‘God be with ye’. So, for hundreds of years, all of these good Dutchmen have been taking God’s name in vain. Gee, I wonder if they know that?