Less like scars...

What the devil is Turkish Delight? Well, many may already know that it is is a confection made from starch and sugar. It is often flavored with rosewater or lemon. OK beyond the kitchen. What is the deal with Turkish Delight?

The below will illustrate further the context to which I am referring, and the place from which I am posting:

Turkish Delight ends up being the addictive confection to which Edmund Pevensie succumbs in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis.

Where do I begin with my thoughts on this?

Edmund Pevensie, while in Narnia he meets the White Witch, who plies him with treats (Turkish Delight) and smooth talk. Tempted by the White Witch’s promise of power and seemingly unending supplies of Turkish Delight, Edmund betrays his siblings, but eventually regrets his actions.

That is a pretty good place to start with where my thoughts are.

When I was young and did not wear nearly as many scars as I do now, I remember hearing that story for the first time and thinking “I cannot believe that Edmund totally betrayed his loved ones– all for some silly candy — Turkish Delight!”  Well, as with most everything else in my life, I should know better than to ascribe judgment to anyone or anything unless I have walked in that person’s shoes or experienced those circumstances.

Why is it that humans can be so easily led astray by things that look good, that taste good — that promise to fulfill us or fill our hungers? Why is it that we could so easily forget that there are others out there that love us and are counting on us — as we look away from them and look deeply into the eyes of what is in front of us wooing? I don’t know the answers to those questions. But I now know how easy all of those mistakes are to make — now that I am older and possess many more scars.

Does anyone else remember the part of the story with Edmund and the “White Witch”? His siblings tried to warn him. I think Edmund even called her another name other than “White Witch” — like a "queen." It didn’t seem like it was all that long before the sweet tones, open arms, warm blankets and fresh “Turkish Delight” offered by the Queen of the North (or White Witch) were all taken swiftly away from Edmund. Taken… just at the very moment that he wanted it so very badly! And not only that, but as I remember it — the delicious confections he had eaten eventually turned sour in his stomach and he felt very ill.

In the beginning, the confections of this world offered by those who seem lovely beckon so sweetly. “Come! Taste me! You will love me! You have never had anything like me!” And then, just as we get comfortable and accustomed to the receiving of such wooing and satisfaction? That is the very moment it is snatched from out of our hands. That is the very moment (metaphorically speaking) that the “Queen” becomes the “Witch.” And that is the very moment that whatever it was that we were taking into ourselves begins to turn sour within us and sicken us.

Not only that, as if that was not enough of a sad end to such a misadventure, but others that truly love us end up being hurt as well. It is not enough that we are humiliated because we fell for the oldest ruse in history — but also that people we love (and would never intentionally hurt) end up being hurt very much.

Poor Edmund goes through quite a time after this. Aslan does appear in order to rescue Edmund… but at a price. Those who are familiar with the story know the price exacted in this instance to redeem Edmund.

In the present day real-world realm, there is often a price to be paid for being led away from the ones we love as well. Why are these painful lessons so many times learned the hard way? I do not know the answer to that question. But I am grateful for redemption and grace, and I am grateful as time passes that the wounds look less like scars and more like character. 

Chronicles of Narnia,Turkish Delight, C.S. Lewis,White Witch,Edmund,Narnia

Choose wisely

Are you a bridge builder? A bridge burner? A bridge traveler?

Choose wisely.

It's nice to know there are some folks around who are still building bridges.

behavior

musings

The Last Word

Have you ever found yourself frustrated or aggravated because a person (or people) have sought you out to harass and besiege? I imagine I am not alone in feeling this. So often energy is spent on wondering "why" such people can't find anything better to do? Wondering "why" people have to bully others? It occurred to me the other day... I know the reason why. And what's more, I was warned.

"Your enemy roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

It is fairly amazing that I forgot that warning for as long as I had during the last several years. So, in essence, it is no big surprise that our enemies restlessly pace back and forth trolling for someone to devour. Now for the encouragement. The trolls in our lives do not get the last word!

"Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The adversary is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does."

trolls

behavior

musings

Seven Pounds...

Have you ever seen the movie Seven Pounds? It stars Will Smith. Evidently, his character was involved in a car accident. His fiance, and 6 other people on another vehicle died. Was the car accident his fault? Well, he did briefly look down at a text message on his phone. How many of us have not done that? So, fault? Accident? He narrates near the beginning: “In 7 days God created the entire world. In 7 seconds I shattered mine.”

Anyway, Will Smith’s character cannot forgive himself for his “crime.” His grief, sorrow, and pain are palpable in this movie. He takes it upon himself to exact what he apparently believes is a just punishment for his “crime.” He takes it upon himself to painstakingly seek out 7 people’s lives he can literally save with a piece of himself. A lung, part of his liver, a kidney, bone marrow… his heart… his eyes. Seven pounds of flesh he exacts from himself to pay penance for the unfortunate accident he cannot forgive himself for.
Is this post a movie review? No. It is a musing on a part of the human condition many of us share. We extend grace to others… but not ourselves. We strive to forgive others… and yet forgiving ourselves is the hardest task to follow through on. We transgress somehow–against some part of our own code that we hold ourselves to or that someone else has held us to.

I exact a pound of flesh from myself every time I let myself down. I am weary of how graceless I have been with myself. Ironically, it is usually, when I do seem to get to a place where I believe I “deserve” to be treated better, or to treat myself better–someone will come along and shove their version of my falling short down my throat. Why am I vulnerable to that? Well, I am sure that my ultra conservative Christian upbringing and my “swing 1st and ask questions later” father contributed to my vulnerabilities in this area.
Nonetheless, I desire to live a more grace filled life. To exact fewer pounds from myself. And maybe, just maybe, in the balance of things I will actually get more out of myself by being kind and loving and nurturing to myself. It’s worth a try! Hey, punishing myself certainly has not brought the lasting changes or born the long term fruit in my life.

Near the end of the movie, Will Smith’s character says to the woman he is becoming close to (a woman who is dying of congenital heart failure, and will--unbeknownst to her--be the recipient of his heart), “I haven’t taken very good care of myself in the last few years.” She replies… “start now.”

I would like to.

“Why is it that God is so willing to forgive us yet so many times we are unable to forgive ourselves? Sometimes, we need to act in a more Godly way towards ourselves.” (Elmer Laydon)