Heidi Questioned Answered...

I was recently asked why I like the book Heidi. I want to be VERY clear that I am talking about the BOOK Heidi; not the movie. I love the story of Heidi because it shows a little girl learning the Truth that suffering brings blessing; if we allow God to be in charge of it and do not try to run away from it.

Also, through this story I received gentle teaching of the image of God as the Good Father, who is so wise that he knows that it would hurt us worse to find out that he gave us anything that was not best for us, just because we wanted it, when we wanted it. I saw how "no" can be SUCH a loving word.

We fell in love with the goats. Our little family STILL loves to walk around saying, "Schnayherpley, Bearly, schvenley... (We "read" this as a book on tape, so I am spelling the names phonetically)

My love for this book may also have been because of the warm, grandfatherly, molasses-y voice of John McDonaugh. (I am BEGGING God that someone will record him reading the Bible. He would be wonderful at it. You can get a taste of it in the Jan Karon Mitford series when she quotes scripture. He gives a poetic, beautiful reading FULL of intimacy.) Anyway.

My favorite part of Heidi is when she comes back to live on the mountain and begins to realize how much she has to give to those she loves (and how each of her prayers have been answered, more than she knew to pray) because she had been taken to Strausburg (I think that's the city, it's been awhile since we listened to this). When the final and miraculous thing happens she glories in God and basically says, "It is true! He is the Good Father! He has made me able to give and help as I wanted."

Also, it was good teaching for me to compare and contrast Frau Rottenmaier and the Grandmama. Frau Rottenmaier is the one who makes Heidi suffer horribly because she does not understand children and is a wicked, Pharisaical, control freak. Her character can be summed up in the following bit of remembered conversation,

"What is your name, child?", asked Frau Rottenmaier.

"Heidi."

"Heidi!! That is NO Christian name! It is barely pronounceable!! We will call you "Audelheight". (Just try to pronounce that!! I have even given it phonetically!!)

Nebecanezzer renamed Daniel as well. I rest my case!!

The Grandmama, though, was wise and discerning and knew how to hear the heart of children and how to approach, give space, teach, be silent. As a mom, I was SO grateful to receive who her character was; begging God to make me more like that.

There was also WONDERFUL, CLEAR teaching on how our consciences work, through the event of the boy pushing the wheelchair down the mountain. As we listened to this book I could FEEL my children receiving (truly, going RIGHT into them) these wonderful Truths that were so clearly and gently revealed in the story. I remember praying to God that he would teach me/make me to be so simple and clear.... it has not happened yet, I am afraid.

Does that answer your question, Sleeping With Bread?
(There are a lot more things I could say, but I am TRYING to be concise. I do not think it worked!!)