Book Review: Stones from the River by Urusula Hegi (@ 1994) (Scribner Paperback Fiction, 1995)

Ursula Hegi writes the story of Trudi Montag, a Zwerg -- a dwarf -- different from everyone in her world with great compassion and true sense of understanding who Trudi is and what her struggles are.

Trudi's story is set in the small town of Burgdorf in Germany.  It is 1915 and as the story begins, almost all the men of Burgdorf are at the eastern front fighting a war.  The women are in control of their homes, children and even the town.  And this is the world Trudi is born into.

These women care for the infant Trudi -- her mother is mentally ill and shows no interest in the tiny babe.  

From the outset Trudi's differences are quickly noted.  Her eyes look older than those of an infant.  She is stout, her head looking larger than her body.  Early in her childhood Trudi comes to believe that everyone can know, just as she does, what is going on inside everyone else.

Hegi continues Trudi's story through both World Wars, interspersing vignettes involving other characters who impact Trudi in a variety of ways -- loving, hurtful and compromising ways.

Despite her setbacks and differences, Trudi faces up to and conquers many difficult situations.  It is a story of courage, determination and strength.

Hegi has delivered an epic work in Trudi's story -- a story applicable to our own times.  Written with a candor that holds the reader's interest, Hegi touches on the core of the Nazi's desire to eliminate those they deemed less than human.  Differences have always existed between the peoples of our world, and they continue to exist.  Trudi's story brings to harsh reality the truth of our humanity to man.  This is a work for all time.

We Aren't Strangers Any More . . .

Our pastor related the most charming story during his sermon.  Today was World Communion and Peacemaking Sunday, and the message today was on reaching out to those of all diversities and ethnicities and making the effort to show God's love.  So, our pastor shared the following with us:

Pastor had been traveling and boarded a plan bound for home in Oregon.  He took his seat beside the window and pulled out a book he was reading and enjoying very much.  His eyes took in the two seats beside him and noted with some degree of selfishness that they were not taken and perhaps he'd be alone and in quiet for the duration of the flight.

Soon, however, a young mother with a young son took those seats and began settling in.  The little boy turned and looked at Pastor with a huge smile.  How could you turn away?  Fairly soon it was acknowledged that said little boy was three years old and named Nathan.  Nathan immediately took up with our pastor and began chattering away.  Not too long into the conversation, Nathan announced to our pastor, "We aren't strangers any more.  I love you!"  The innocence and unconditional love that children possess was evidenced in Nathan's bold and honest statement. 

Eventually Nathan managed to get out of his seat belt and climbed into our pastor's lap.  Not being strangers makes everything much more comfortable.  And adding love to that recipe is the ultimate in outreach and spreading God's love!

Young Nathan is an example to all of us!  Let's see if we can't be less like strangers and more like people in love with each other this week. 

"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."  John 13:33-35 (The Message)

On Receiving

Beck Gambill writes some of the most thought provoking and heart warming blogs on the planet.  My favorite day of the week is starting to be today, Thursday, because Beck has formed Sister to Sister, "a time every Thursday for Christian women to connect from the heart."  Beck provides us with a word, like today's word "receiving," and those of us interested write a 500-word or less post using that word.  Sometimes they're easy, sometimes not.  But as a wannabe writer, I've decided to use it as practice time.  So, here goes.

Receiving is definitely not the easiest thing I do in my life.  For one thing, I was taught to give -- give of myself, what I have, the talents God has given me.  That is one thing I remember about my mom that is a cherished memory -- her giving spirit.  For me to give is so easy, and often my calendar shows that I'm in "giving mode!"  I have trouble saying no to opportunities of sharing what I'm able to share.

However, when put on the receiving end of giving, I tend to play the game the slugs (they're abundant in Oregon!) play and I roll up and hide in my shell of "Oh, no, I can take care of that myself."  Good example coming up.  I'm facing surgery soon and offers have been coming in for meals to help my husband and me.  Do you think we've yet to accept an offer of a meal?  Nope, not us, we're going to be just fine.  We've done it before; we'll likely to do it again.

Why is it so hard?  I've pondered this word "receiving" all day and I've prayed to God about why it's so hard for me to accept something offered.  The day's almost over and I know what it is -- I think that it makes me appear weak, helpless, too needy, and so many other similar things.  What I need to do is work on that part of me and ask God to help me learn to be accepting and to put those negative thoughts aside.  Because in my not accepting, I'm not allowing another of God's servants to do their sharing.  Being a stumbling block is not what I want to be. 

Thanks, Beck, for offering up a word that has caused me to reconsider who I am when I have the opportunity to receive from another!