Dreaming of Silver Roses

When we awoke this morning for a moment Texas felt like Narnia as spring began. There was a powder sugar dust of snow on the spring green grass and distant tree. The children were giddy and excited. There was a brief but jolly snow marble toss (there wasn’t enough snow or time for snowballs so we just made what we could!). It was a wonderland. I was reminded of this verse of Imogene Heap’s song from The Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’s soundtrack.

Can’t close my eyes
They’re wide awake
Ev’ry hair on my body
has got a thing for this place
Oh empty my heart
I’ve got to make room for this feeling
so much bigger than meIt couldn’t be any more beautiful – I can’t take it in…

I have been a great lover of Narnia tales for as long as I can remember. I have read and reread them myself and to my son and daughter many times already. I love the movie and the old BBC broadcast. Lewis’ tale is listed as a must read for young men on numerous websites and in the latest edition of The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden. In my opinion it should be shared with girls as well. Susan and Lucy speak to me!

The song written by Alanis Morissette for the soundtrack and movie uses the word “wunderkind”- German for “miracle child” or “wonder child” or a child prodigy. I don’t think any other song captured the feeling of Narnia so well for me. It also captures the dream we are meant to live. We were never meant to live a life of boredom. The trouble is that we have to decide on which side of the line we will live. What camp will we join? Whose side will we contribute to in the great battle? Depending on where you wish to serve, you must ask. We have a great destiny.

On the way to school as we looked at the snow dusted world, my children said that the snow reminded them that they are loved. Me, too. The Maker of snowflakes, rainbows, children’s giggles, the love of good friends, hope, peace, and grace loves me. That love and sacrifice is the side I declare my allegiance to. It is my camp.

…And I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
I am a wunderkind
I am a groundbreaker naïve enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne

And I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
I am a wunderkind I am a Joan of Arc and smart enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne

Destined to reign, destined to roam… (Alanis Morrisette, The Chronicles of Narnia Soundtrack, 2005) ”

One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.” – St. Joan of Arc

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29)

“The new one was a deeper country: every rock and flower and blade of grass looked like it meant more. I can’t describe it any better than that: if you ever get there you will know what I mean. It was the unicorn who summed up what everyone was feeling. He stamped his right fore-hoof on the ground and neighed, and then cried: “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now. The reason why we loved the old Narnia so much is because it sometimes looked a little like this. Bree-hee-hee! Come further up, come further in!”(ch. 15)

Currently listening :
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
By Harry Gregson-Williams
Release date: 13 December, 2005

Filed under: Christianity, life, nature, purpose, wonder on March 7th, 2008