When I first started out as a hospital chaplain, there was a phrase in vogue at the time which suggested “Sit with it.” No doubt this was a reference to the thought and reflection a person could do when something unfortunate or sad or challenging occurs. When a disappointment or setback occurs.
So many of you will be shocked to hear that I wasn’t very good at “sitting with it.”😂
Even if I sat down to “sit with it,” soon I would see something that needed to be done or remember something that I just had to go do. Or think of someone to visit or a task that needed planned out. Sitting was not a strong point.
One very practical outcome of having a badly broken ankle is that there really is no good option but “sitting with it.” Preferably with the ankle iced and elevated!
So what to do with this time? I don’t want it to be a waste of time. I don’t want to be wallowing in self pity or depression. It is a actually a rare opportunity and a gift.
So I revisited a childhood friend.
Surprisingly, it has had as strong an impact on the adult me as it did the childhood me. The rich symbolism, the deep spirituality, the personal insights gained by the characters of each book, the powerful connection with the Lion.
Mom had some companion books which I have also read.
There are also movies which bring the stories to life.
As I have been revisiting Narnia, some learning has happened. I have realized I have made some of the same mistakes and had the same unworthy motives as characters in the books. I also realize I have had similar moments of mercy and grace when I heard the message, “That is in the past. Let’s move forward into the future together.” “You aren’t done here, and the Lion is not done with you.” “Take any opportunity you get to humble yourself in the presence of a greater, more mysterious, more powerful, and more gracious Being than you can imagine or hope for.” “Be still and know that I Am.”
One particularly poignant scene in “The Horse and His Boy” sees Shasta crossing a mountain pass at night on a horse which will not be guided or hurried. The road grew darker, and colder, the weather worse and worse, the horse bearing him as obstinate and unmovable as ever. Without knowing it, he had come to the the pass through the mountain that would take him in the direction he needed and wanted to go.
Shasta commented (as I might have a time or two), “I do think…that I must be the most unfortunate boy that ever lived in the whole world. Everything goes right for everyone except me.” The book continues, “And being very tired and having nothing inside him, he felt so sorry for himself that the tears rolled down his cheeks. What put a stop to all this was a sudden fright. Shasta discovered that someone or somebody was walking beside him. It was pitch dark and he could see nothing.”
The episode ends with Aslan revealing himself. As I read, I thought, “Shasta just passed over the mountain with the I Am!”
The I Am has also passed with me through mountains and valleys, joys and sorrows and challenges. What a reminder!
Now I’m “sitting with” a beloved song running through my head, “I want Jesus to walk with me.”
Thank you, Lion of Judah, for meeting me and talking with me as I am sitting and recuperating. I look forward to getting back up and walking more closely with you!
Thoughts From the Garden 