My dear friend Amy D. is the daughter of an Alabama award winning middle school teacher. We usually ask her for summer reading lists and new titles when we’ve hit a slump or are still waiting for the hope that one more Harry Potter book will come out.
I remember being in Barnes and Noble one night with Mrs. D. and she asked me, “What book did you read as I child that brought reading to life?” It took me 2.1 seconds to respond, “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.”
Narnia is the place where reading came alive to me. Narnia is the reason I want a walk-in closet. Narnia is the reason I still think Kitty Lynn can talk. Narnia is the reason I visualize Christ as a majestic, powerful and loving lion. And ultimately, Narnia is the reason I grow as a Christian by learning life lessons in a world of make believe.
One of my favorite books of the series is “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” If you haven’t read it, please do yourself a favor and go to the library, bookstore, or amazon.com and pick up a copy. Hurry before it’s a movie! (You have time it doesn’t come out until December 2010)
In the story there is a sour little boy named, Eustace Scrubb. He is really quite the annoyance and very unkind. He is selfish, always wanting to control things, boastful and constantly complaining. (I realize that I have just described my own self the more I type, which is why I absolutely love this story). One day, while they have stopped on an island during their voyage, Eustace stumbles into a dragon liar filled with treasure. His own greed causes him to actually turn into a dragon. I won’t go into detail but his sinful nature has become personified in the actual form of a dragon.
For six days he wanders the island in the form of a dragon. He is miserable. However, he slowly changes his heart and begins to help the others-once they know its Eustace and not an actual dragon. He catches food, warms his friends on cold nights and flies them around the island.
Finally Aslan appears and tells Eustace to follow him. He tells Eustace to “scrubb” off the dragon scales and get in the water. Eustace does this 3 times but each time the scales grow back. Finally Aslan must claw and tear the scales off for him. This piercing hurts Eustace but finally he is a boy again. Glowing, shiny and new.
Have you figured out the allegory yet? Have I figured it out, is the better question? I have to finally let go of my selfishness, control, anger, sin and allow God to claw away at my sin and wash me so I can become whole again. What a beautiful image of our Savior. He is a lion tearing away our dirty scales to reveal the glowing beauty that is hidden beneath. It is him and him alone that can reveal our true glory.
This has been a constant lesson for me these past few weeks. All things control and surrender related. I think the first time I read that story again as an adult I began crying, knowing all too well that I was the dragon. Luckily, my own Savior will tear away those scales-only if I let go and let Him.
An update on My Mom-She has actual physical pain to deal with though in the meantime. Her right hand received a good report yesterday at the doctor. He said to continue wearing those splints to stretch out the tendons in her 3 fingers. The doctor did see some progress and we now have the official order for Mom to begin outpatient therapy. Thank you for the prayers and your continued support of our family. I can’t wait till Mom’s accident related “scales” are finally washed away and she is her old/new self!
Ephesians 4:20-24 (New International Version)
20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
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