12.02.2009

I'm Giving Away....Knee Socks. Just Kidding.

My room was a weird mint green color.

I had bunk beds. And I wore knee socks. And floor length dresses with lace collars. And apparently my mother let me.

I would play dolls and Barbies in that room.  And listen to Solid Gold albums, and sing into a hairbrush in my mirror. 

And at night, I would be tucked in by either my mama or my daddy.  And they would read to me.

I only remember 4 books that were ever read, but I'm positive that there were more.  But these 4 have always stuck.

Little Women.  A classic.  My mama read that one.

And then I can remember Jim-Dad, in his baby blue polyester pants, reading Little Pilgrim's Progress, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Hinds' Feet on High Places.

My dad was a sucker for a good allegory.

And so was I.

Those stories have always walked with me.  Their brilliant symbolic messages told in layman's terms.  So that even children "get" it.

I would imagine walking the roads on the way to the Celestial City with Christian.  Meeting Mr. Tumnus at the lamppost with Lucy.  And skipping through the High Places with the Chief Shepherd. 

They were all so real.  And beautiful.

And then time happened.  And growing up happened.  And stuff happened.  And those books, though still on my shelves, weren't taken out as much.  And weeks that turned into months turned into years. 

Last week, while we were at my parents' a stack of Hinds' Feet books set in the floor of my dad's office.  He quickly reminded me of our times reading those books together many many moons ago.  And the beautiful memories of those stories came flooding back.

Jim-Dad gave us a brand new copy last week and this morning, I sat my children down and cracked the binding.

The walls aren't mint green.  And no one is wearing knee socks.

But my children are going to hear these wonderful allegories of Jesus' love and our salvation journeys.  Not only because of heritage and nostalgia, but because they are beautiful.

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Pilgrim's Progress and the Narnia books are very well known, and if you haven't read them yourself or with your children, please consider doing so.  Hinds' Feet on High Places is not as well-known, but it's story is just as breath-taking. 

The story follows Much-Afraid as she journeys with her two companions, Sorrow and Suffering, to pass through dangers and to overcome her tormenting past to finally reach the High Places and be in union with the loving Shepherd.



Oh...and just to show you how strongly I feel about this particular book, I'm giving away a copy.

All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me if you've read the book or not (I would love to hear what those of you who have read it think!), and you'll be entered to win.  It would make a really great Christmas present, too, if you already have your own copy!  I'll pick the winner on Friday around 3 p.m. central time. 

16 comments:

Andrea said...

I've never read Hinds' Feet on High Places. I don't think I've ever heard of it.

Cathy said...

How can I pass this up!

I HAVE read it! But it was a long, long, long time ago and I've often thought of reading it again.

And Little Women is probably in my top 3 of all time favorite books! I still have my copy and STILL crack it open to get my fix from time to time.

Beautiful stories indeed. Good job, Jim-Dad and Mama2RascalRaiser! And way to share the wealth, Amb.

Sami said...

I remember taking the Narnia books out of the itty bitty church library that we had when I was in about 2nd or 3rd grade. It was a little scary to me then but I loved it! I would read while my Daddy worked on his sermon or got things ready for church. What about In His Steps? I tried reading that again last month but I just couldn't get into it this time. I need to re-read Pilgrim's Progress. It's been years!

lisa@littlesliceoflife said...

Oh, pick me! Pick me!

Ahhh....Little Women. I remember getting a beautiful collectors' edition for Christmas when I was about 12 and I would sit in front of the fire reading it over and over.

Would you believe I have not read any of the others?! Alas, I must be allegory averse.

Mich said...

Not here to enter, for I have my own copy as well as the same wonderful memories...

Love you!

Jim said...

Amb,
Thanks for sharing and reading to the grands what I believe to be an excellent tool to help develop "hind's feet" (that's deer feet, in case some are wondering) and be able to leap up quickly to the high places where "perfect love casts out fear"!

In the last almost 30 years, I've given away hundreds of copies because I believe them to be ways of touching people with a message that, unlike a story about a John or a Jane, etc., to which many might be able to dismiss as someone else's life struggle, this one names the characters after every person's own personality characteristics and traits, and thus identify with them personally.

Thanks, Amb.

Jim-Dad

Jessica said...

Aww, BroJim gave me Hinds' Feet on High Places 10 years ago, along with the sequel. What a precious gift that was. I need to find my copies for when Justus is big enough to enjoy them...today we barely made it through Olive the Other Reindeer, lift-the-flap version. :)

Tiffani said...

I know you know this but I've never read it although I'm sure I'd love it...

We're currently in the middle of Little Pilgrim's Progress and I cry about every day that we read!!!

It just touches me!

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

I just started Little Pilgrims Progress with the kids. We're loving it!
I have an old battered copy of Hinds Feet I picked up at my used book store. I've heard of it but as yet have never read it. I'd love a better copy! Though even if I don't win I'll pull the one I have a read it for sure after your hearty recommendation!

Elizabeth said...

I'm not just saying this, I have always wanted to read Hinds' Feet on High Places. Since college anyway. I adored the Narnia books as a kid, and I remember my dad reading PIlgrim's Progress to us. I'm so impressed with what you're reading to your kids. They will learn so much!

Jennifer said...

I've never heard of it, but I'm sure it would be good!!

Loved Little Women when I was a little girl and remember reading Pilgrim's Progress when I homeschooled many moons ago!!

Thanks for sharing!!

really.truly said...

I love how much you remember from your childhood...and how much your parents remember. Sounds strange, but I only remember snippets. I do remember knee socks!!

We have never read that book. Looks wonderful!

really.truly said...
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Gretchen said...

Oh, wow! Never heard of that beautiful book. I do have it on my list to read Pilgrim's Progress, bc I've heard so many great things. And who couldn't lurve the Narnia series. I just like CS Lewis, in general. He's a little hard for me to get into (adult books), but so worth the effort.

Not only is this a great giveaway, but has me thinking of the books I used to read as a child. THanks for that.

Terry Lewallen said...

Amber-
I pray that someday my children will have the same precious memories to share of time spent with their Momma and Daddy. Never read Hinds Feet but now I want to!
Think I'll go pick out a book for after naptime now.

Gretchen said...

As a former teacher, lover of books, and now a homeschool momma, I am embarrassed to say that I've never read this book. And I'm all about a good allegory... and a good giveaway!

Thanks for sharing this with us.
Hugs!!!