Last night, after a whole lot of Lawrence O’Donnell “preaching” on the news, I went on an excursion, in my dreams. Nope… not the beach. Not France or Italy. Narnia! And, yes… I needed a dose of Puddleglum!
Before we head out, you might want to know that I didn’t meet Puddleglum as a child, though the Chronicles of Narnia were published not long before I was born. Instead, I was raised on Betsy & Tacy, who were my mom’s friends growing up. In fact, my initial encounter with C.S. Lewis was during my first year at Columbia Theological Seminary when a back injury kept me couch-bound for a week.
Here’s the thing… I’ve learned more since then! And one of those things is that we are living in a time of huge choice!
Now, for the for the uninitiated, Puddleglum is a Marsh Wiggle, who, with the Prince and some children, is being held by the Bad Witch, who is busy explaining why their journey to Narnia is juvenile and futile. Puddleglum isn’t having it. Let’s listen in…
“One word, Ma’am,” he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain. “One word. All you’ve been saying is quite right, I shouldn’t wonder. I’m a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won’t deny any of what you said. But there’s one thing more to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things — trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that’s a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We’re just babies making up a game, if you’re right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That’s why I’m going to stand by the play world. I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we’re leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that’s small loss if the world’s as dull a place as you say.”
C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair, The Chronicles of Narnia
If you’ve been reading along lately, this story is probably no shock to you, given my recent adventure with Wisdom Cards and a surprising Warrior Archetype painting, which I also dreamed.
I, too, am choosing Aslan. And, I suspect that means some more wandering in the dark, looking for Overland.
Here’s the thing… perhaps none of us expects to face such a choice moment. Yet, here we are. Pretending to be somewhere else doesn’t seem like it’s going to work. And, yes… it’s scary. But not choosing – actively and intentionally – feels way scarier to me.
So… Wisdom Cards to the publisher. (Soon!) Sorting days in October for the next #Filters class. And, a new t-shirt to design. All while Destiny Joan watches hopefully for the new Mediterranean Instant Pot cookbook to arrive! (She’s taking over!!!)
ps… perhaps Overland IS the place where we are called!!!
pps… there really is lots of big stuff on the horizon! Now would be a great time to click the annoying pop-up thingy and add your name to the list so you don’t miss anything! We all need company on the road!
ppps… new readers in your family???? Daphne’s got you covered! Just click here to buy 2 copies and save $5 on each! No secret code… just put them in your basket and the elves will take care of the math! (Only through midnight 8/10!)
