My lion

Last week I finally saw the “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”. I thought the movie was very good. There was one scene however, that really touched me. The scene involved the Lion Aslan’s forgiveness of Edmund. If you have not read the book or seen the movie this section of the story revolves around a young boy, Edmund, and his seduction by the Witch due to his weaknesses, his betrayal of his siblings, his suffering as he discovers the mistake he has made, his rescue, his repentance, and his reconciliation with his family. At one point Edmund is seen off in the distance talking, perhaps making amends, with Aslan. In the next scene Edmund joins his siblings who have endured a great deal due to his choices. Aslan also joins the group and tells them that the past is the past and that there is no need to talk about it anymore.

 

I realize many have criticized the movie over this very portion. The criticism has been that Edmund never asked for forgiveness. I suppose there’s some truth to that. However, what I found to be so moving was Aslan’s loving forgiveness and his admonition to leave the past in the past. 

 

I’ve been working my way through my ninth step. This is the step where one is to make amends to all the people they have harmed. I have said, "I'm sorry" many, many times. There's something different about making ninth-step amends. It's a closure of sorts on the past. As I work through this process, I can’t help but feel like Edmund…someone who has made mistakes, betrayed those they love, experienced the blessing of being rescued and is now working their way towards reconciliation.

 

This week my son Jacob and I were driving home from an appointment. I decided to use the time to talk with him and make amends. I explained how sorry I was for any pain or harm my drinking had caused him. Before I could utter another word Jacob reached over, put his arm around me and said, “Mom, it’s okay, I love you and I forgive you. The past is the past. What counts is who you are today.” I was speechless. I looked at him and for a brief moment, instead of seeing my son, I saw the likeness of a lion.  A lion that paid the price for my shortcomings, waited patiently for my return, and then stood ready and eager to forgive me. What a blessing. 

Comments

[hanni]

ok I'm crying...what a HUGE blessing (and a wait lifted?)...make sure you accept that gift from your son - what a rare things it is, to see someone so ready to forgive completely, no explanation required, because of their love for you...an amazing picture of our Father's love through a boy's love for his mom...i am so moved! "what counts is who you are today" i have to say that i think it also says a lot about your character and who you are now...there's a strong and loving person there, with qualities worth praising, i pray MUCH blessing on you & your son...thank you so much for sharing this

[ben]

Good post, Deb. Your kid is awesome. Looking at your journey he has to have seen much redemption and growth in you the last few months. Our God's grace is amazing.
My fear is that someone will go the other way with those words in a personal betrayal. 'Well if you've really forgiven me we can never bring such and such up again.'
Most of the time that isn't helpful when I am counseling others in what I do. It is usually more of a show of a lack of repentance than someone who has been humbled by God rather than experiencing...'his suffering as he discovers the mistake he has made, his rescue, his repentance'.
What a great image it is to imagine myself seeing Ann with Aslan and seeing her repentance and then Aslan coming over and saying, "I'm good with her now and I want you to be too."
She needs that image of me just as much.

[Sandy]

How incredibly touching and loving! You have raised quite a man!

[Mark W.]

Ditto on the tears...

May God continue to grace you and your family through this transformation of your life.

[Mark Mossa, SJ]

Great, and beautiful connection!

[jeff]

Deb ~ Very touching and beautiful.

love,
jeff

[wilsonian]

Oh my... what beautiful people. And what a mature son you have.

And I'm sure someone has commented this here before... but really we should all go through step 9. Truly. No one gets through much life without having hurt others. I appreciate the challenge you bring, Deb.

[Jennifer]

oh wow! What a precious moment with your son.

[Connie Knighton]

Dear Deb,
Lion indeed.

I loved the books, which I read every spring for about ten years in my adulthood. It was a rite of April. I loved the movie, and never noticed Edmund did not ask for forgiveness.

I think, God knows our hearts, and while the exercise of asking for forgiveness, as you say, puts closure on the past, it is not necessary always, especially for a young child to say, "Will you forgive me?" God can see our remorse before we can think the words, "I'm sorry."

Your son gets it.

Love,

[Andrea Neustaeter]

Forgiveness is a truly beautiful thing. Oh that we can all aspire to be like the lion in our relationships.

[Lorna]

wonderful :)

Thank you for sharing these vulnearable and precious moments in your life

[tonya]

really beautiful. hope you encounter many more moments like this one during the journey through the 9th step.

[Tina]

The Narnia stories are some of my favorites. What an awesome way to illustrate the love of Christ through Jacob's love for you

[Annette]

Hi Deb,
From what I know of you, your son has received this grace model from you. The story of your interaction breathes Christ. It's an amazing moment when the child ministers to the parent. Another miracle from God to speak to you in a powerful way.

[Mark D]

more dittos on the tears...

Definitely a moment to remember for the rest of your life. Wow.