Spoiler alert!  If you’ve not read The Chronicles of Narnia and want the thrill of the adventure first hand, read no further!

My husband and I left two weeks ago today with our daughter Emma on what has become in our home a family tradition.  six years ago we took our oldest son Bailey on a week-long camping trip.  I remember wanting time alone with him to really re-connect.  If you’ve raised a son you know that somewhere between ten and twelve, as testosterone begins to flood the brain, a boy has the potential of losing the majority of their common sense.  I’m so grateful that Franklin has taught junior high and high school for many years.  I found peace in his reminders that Bailey was in fact, although I questioned it, a very normal boy.

This year was Emma’s turn.  5th grade was trying for Emma.  She’s bright and quick with her school work so she spent a lot of time reading and watching her peers.  She found that she could relate to very few students in her classes.  Although she is very relational, sensitive, and social her peers were focused on very worldly things, things Emma is uncomfortable with, praise the Lord!  What a wonderful time we had spending every minute of a whole week focused on encouraging her and learning as much as we could about our precious, only daughter.

We spent 2 nights at the Arches National Park in Moab, Utah and 3 nights at The Grand Canyon’s North Rim.  And, just as we had with Bailey, we listened to The Chronicles of Narnia, all seven books, during our drive time.  Each time I’ve read these books I’ve been awed by the sheer quantity of scriptural truth found throughout the collection.  It boggles my mind that many in academia deny any parallel.

I’d like to share our observations.  Maybe you’ve read the collection yourself and drew the same parallels.  I’d love to hear others the Holy Spirit might have led you to.  And maybe you’ve not read The Chronicles of Narnia.  My musings might help you decide if this is a worthy reading adventure for your family to embark upon.  Because there are seven books to pick apart here I’ve divided this post.  I’m including my thoughts about the first three books this week and will save my thoughts over the final four for next week.

The Chronicles of Narnia begins with The Magician’s Nephew.  In a nutshell, two children use magic rings to travel from their world to parallel worlds.  We have our first glimpse of Aslan, a mighty lion who is, throughout The Chronicles, a shadow of Jesus Christ.  In a world that is completely dark Aslan sings a wordless song to create the world of Narnia.  Aslan fills Narnia with creatures and animals.  Throughout The Chronicles, when the name of Aslan is spoken, when touches the animals, and when he breathes on them they are recreated.  They are no longer what they use to be.

The second, and certainly the most familiar of the seven, The Lion, The Witch and Wardrobe brings four children to Narnia.  Narnia is controlled by the White Witch who has reigned with terror and an endless winter for 100 years.  The children fulfill a prophecy in coming and hope is restored as word of Aslan’s return travels through Narnia.  When the name of Aslan is spoken, everyone feels better; taller, stronger, more alive, and more brave.  As the animals tell the children about Narnia and the witch,  Lucy cries, “Can no one help us?” and Mr. Beaver replies, “Only Aslan.  He’s our only hope.”

In his desire for the sweet candy Turkish Delight, one of the boys selfishly although unwittingly, joins forces with the White Witch.  His sin is paid for by Aslan who is shaved, bound, and killed on a stone table by the witch and her followers.   But Aslan raises from the dead, having paid the price for Edmond’s betrayal, and leads the battle against the witch and her entourage.  In one of the final scenes Aslan roars, “The witch is mine!”   Just as we, without the intercession of Jesus Christ, cannot battle evil, the children couldn’t kill the witch alone.  Aslan went after her wand, removing her authority, as Jesus has removed Satan’s authority in our lives.

The third story, A Horse and His Boy, tells the story of a talking horse and a boy who team up to run away from cruel masters.  The horse remembers his youth in Narnia but the boy, who looks Narnian, knows nothing of the land to the north.

As they travel toward Narnia they meet and join forces with a second talking horse and a girl.  The four are unknowingly helped along the way by Aslan.  This book in particular gives us much to think about with regard to the topic of fear when Aslan reveals himself and explains his unseen aid in their journey.

When Shasta and Bree needed companionship, Aslan forced Wynn and Aravis to their side.  When the horses were exhausted and ready to quit Aslan sent jackels to give the horses a new strength.  And even before the journey, Aslan provided the wind that pushed Shasta’s small forgotten boat to the shore where a man sat wakeful to receive him.

I was reminded that, in partnership with Jesus I can run straight ahead, over every obstacle…  I can go faster than I think I can….  I might not understand in the midst of the storm, but if there ever is a time when I must understand it will be revealed to me…  Sometimes, all that can be done is to rest and recharge for tomorrow’s battle…   When we think we’ve hit the mark, it is really that we’ve been helped along the way…  When we are frightened we need to draw close to Jesus.  He will give us confidence to dare to dare…  And finally, Aravis observes “I would sooner be eaten by you than fed by anyone else,” bringing to mind Psalm 84:10, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere….”

Check in again next Saturday for my thoughts and musings on the final four.  And take time to read with your children today.  They will love the cuddle time and you will impart the value of a good read.  Be blessed!