Prince Caspian :: Read Aloud Thursday

Time for another Read Aloud Thursday over at Hope is in the Word. We're still in Narnia so we'll be talking about that.

After we finished reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (which I shared about previously) Bookworm1 expressed an interest in reading more of Narnia. I had allowed him to watch the (new) movie version of The L,W,W after we finished reading the book and, with the exception of the scene in which the White Witch kills Aslan, he loved it. (We skipped that part because of the gruesomeness of the creatures in the White Witch's company!) He knows that there are two more movies - one of which involves a sea dragon. He wanted to read Voyage next but I think that particular movie version is far too intense and scary for him at this time. (Plus, I still think that the new version of Voyage is pretty much Narnia heresy in the extreme.) So, I told him I'd read Prince Caspian with him and he could watch that movie. We've since done both.

Reading Prince Caspian with Bookworm1 was different than my experience reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe with him - but I suppose that's to be expected. The time line of the story rather confused him and he had to work a new set of kings out in his mind. However, the inclusion of mythological creatures, good guys vs. bad and some specific talk about turning to Aslan in times of trouble still held his interest.

This time my son was far more interested in the battles between the Narnians and the Telmarines. He paid far more attention to King Miraz's battle against High King Peter than I expected he would. Since reading this book (and subsequently watching the movie) our house has become more of a battle ground. He even started wearing his cape that I made him two years ago and is talking about bravery, heroes and defending us all against the bad guys. His imagination is engaged and this makes me immeasurably happy. I have a clear example now of how you can fill a boy's mind with noble stories and inspire him to nobility himself. I love being able to pour Narnia into him and watch what seeps out. And I know it will keep coming out (because I'll keep pouring it in!)

As for myself, there were a great many moments in Prince Caspian that stood out as particularly meaningful to me. If I have to narrow it down to only one, I'll talk about Lucy's reaction to the group when she told them that she had seen Aslan and that he had bid them to come and follow him to Aslan's How and Caspian's army. Trumpkin didn't believe Lucy had actually seen a lion. Peter wanted to trust his own instincts. Edmund said he'd soon as follow her as not, as she had always told the truth before. Susan wanted to believe Lucy, but chose not to. Nevertheless, they eventually gave in and followed after her. Lewis writes this of their journey following Aslan:

"And so at last they got on the move. Lucy went first, biting her lip and trying not to say all the things she thought of saying to Susan. But she forgot them when she fixed her eyes on Aslan." (Chapter 11, The Lion Roars, page 143)

Raise your hand if you've ever felt confident that God was leading you to do something that was distinctly unpopular? Ever felt like you've received a clear path forward but people are just not getting with the program? And do you ever get wrapped up in your own personal defense to the point of causing further confusion because you felt the need to justify what you firmly believe to be right? I believe this is exactly how Lucy felt and I've certainly felt that way myself. Learning to hold one's tongue is a hard business but I love how Lewis pointed out that as long as Lucy stayed focused on Aslan, and moved her feet forward in the direction he led her, she forgot all the things she wanted to say and simply did what she knew needed doing. She quit wasting daylight. She just moved forward. I would say that this is a timely reminder for me but it's more like the reminder that I need every day!

My job in life isn't to follow after the whims, fancies or opinions of others. Nor is it my duty and calling to defend my own actions to everyone around me when I have been impressed by the fact that God is calling me in a particular direction. I could sit around and try to provide detailed explanations but it isn't exactly necessary or healthy. Frequently it just distracts me from what I should be doing. In some ways, it's a waste of daylight.

I think it is perfectly fine to explain to people, "God is leading me here." But when they all start debating something I know to be true and distracting me by requiring that I recount the past or explain what may or may not be the future then I need to stop talking, focus my eyes on God, and start walking in His direction! Then I will find peace and will know it - because He has led me to it! (I'm not discounting situations where you are approaching a spiritual authority saying, "I believe God is calling me to ______." In such moments I think if the authority is in any way smart, they'll question your heart, motives and words for the purpose of helping you to determine whether or not you've received a firm call from God in some area of your life. We shouldn't fight their line of questioning. If we are in any way smart, we'll welcome their questions and provide honest answers. I'm just saying that we don't need to open ourselves up to the questioning of the masses and those who do not have any authority over us, truly speaking.)

It's a hard lesson. We all want to be liked and understood. It's hard to walk with people who grumble about the plan of action and question you at each and every turn. It's exhausting. So again, we are reminded to keep our eyes on the Leader of the Pack and then our doubts, worries, concerns and need for self-justification will be erased. That's the best place to be: locked in footstep with Aslan.

There's truly no where else I'd rather be!