I can't believe that this ADVENT-ure is already over and tonight we light the 4th candle of Advent, representing LOVE. All of the days of anticipation and preparation (as we read & continue through reflections) for this 2025 Advent season draw us together in CELEBRATION of the LOVE of Jesus, given to us by the Father and His Indescribable LOVE that we celebrate as the year draws to a close. {I can't believe how quickly this year has passed and also how slow - that hardly makes sense, but for me, that's how it is and has been}. But LOVE and TRUST or TRUST and LOVE, no matter how you look at these two, they are deeply intertwined, yet very distinct.
TRUST is definitely crucial for LOVE. TRUST, as you must know by now, is the foundation ... and especially of emotional security. Yet, I read that one can LOVE and at the same time distrust. With TRUST, LOVE becomes stronger but without TRUST, LOVE is fragile, full of fear and doubt. I believe that the strain inevitably breaks the healthiness of the relationship and can be the ultimate demise of the LOVE when the component of TRUST is missing and not achieved. LOVE is powerful but TRUST is what keeps LOVE alive.
That quote unknown to me, might have been the error in my personal experience with TRUST and LOVE, because I trusted fully that love {but this is not the time to share the details of that personal part} just trust me. However, this led me through a lifetime of many downfalls and pits, leading me through too many detours and not many fruitful ones, but many lessons on LOVE and TRUST learned keep me extremely cautious in TRUSTing people; and not really knowing how to LOVE, like the LOVE Jesus asks of us - "to LOVE one another" - [it would have served me better to hold on to what the Bible says as in 1 Corinthians 13 {but at that time I was not familiar with reading to study the Bible}] I fear I do not live up to 1 Corinthians 13 LOVE - (perhaps phileo kind of LOVE, which is brotherly love for each other - not really all that Jesus hoped for, because we are expected to reach for agape LOVE for all; far too many of us get caught off-guard with eros, and not many begin with healthy storge love) so we miss the mark in establishing the proper boundaries and qualities of each level and the distinction between them. C.S. Lewis does a much better and thorough job in one of his books "Four Types of Love"[here's a brief summary of that book] and certainly his books of "The Chronicles of Narnia" explore LOVE and TRUST among the characters.
| "Trust and Love in Narnia, centered around Aslan, teach that true faith means loving and obeying him even when unseen, leading to courage and spiritual growth, while Aslan's sacrificial love (like Christ's) is fierce yet tender, demanding action and humility, and revealing profound connections for those who believe, especially Lucy. Characters like Lucy, Caspian, and the Beavers demonstrate active trust, often choosing to follow Aslan despite others' disbelief, finding strength and purpose through that deep, personal bond, ultimately renewing Narnia and themselves." |
"Childlike Faith & Devotion (Lucy): Lucy's intimate, unwavering love for Aslan allows her to see him when others can't, embodying a deep, personal relationship that others long for, finding strength and validation in his presence." "Sacrificial Love (Aslan): Aslan's love is powerful, sometimes severe, yet endlessly compassionate (like Christ), forgiving sins (like unbelief) and protecting his people at immense cost, inspiring awe and reverence, not just comfort." "Active Trust (Caspian, Puddleglum, Beavers): Characters demonstrate faith by acting on Aslan's words even in doubt, trusting prophecy, and waiting actively, like Caspian believing in Aslan as king or the Beavers waiting for the Sons of Adam." "Courage from Love: Lucy's devotion transforms her into "Lucy the Valiant," showing how love for Aslan empowers bravery, as seen when she embraces his mane for strength and faces challenges." |
as I reflect in this final season of 2025
leaning in to what Jesus is speaking into our lives
- my life -
the windows of my soul in a fresh way
hearing God in every day or night
through moments of His Love & my Trust
Session Four: The Lion
(ASLAN)
Week 4 Chapters
22. Is He Safe?; Malachi 3:1-3 Novel, chap. 8 23. Father Christmas; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7 Novel, chap.10 24. The Full Armor of God; Eph. 6:11-17 25. A Tiny Feast; Isaiah 55:2; Novel, chap. 10 26. God Will Prepare a Feast; Isaiah 25:6, 9 27. Aslan is Near; Micah 5:2 Novel, chap. 11 28. The Winter is Past; Song of Solomon 2:1-12 |
[image credit: Pinterest, La Salonniere]
"We are filled with the same joy and anticipation in new life ... Jesus has come, and a new age is begun; Jesus will return and remake the world forever." (p.62) "With Aslan's coming, winter's grip has been destroyed." "With Jesus' birth, sin's power is on the run. "This is no thaw. This is spring. Merry Christmas!" (p.64) |
| "God of Love, as we draw near to Christmas, watching and waiting for Your Son, journey with us. Grow in our hearts a sense of delight and holy fear at His coming, to change the world and redeem us from sin. Give us courage to deepen our faith as we face the busy schedules and heightened expectations of the season. All this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen." |
May "the arrival of the four Pevensie children"
[image credit:
Magical!
I was just wishing I could find the right
Christmas Card for this
but I'm not sure where this is, except it's foreign
so I may need to remove😏😉
💙
Warmest wishes from our Wardrobe of Narnia
in the
💙
I close with some personal photos of
Lamp post at the end of our driveway
dedicated to you all & Narnia
"yeah I like Lucy & her lamp post shot better"
But I'm HOME for the "*Holidaze" Holidays
{*I never saw this, I'll let you know if I do}
Ever so dazed by the beauty of feeling & being at
HOME
from J.B.'s blog: |
from Dec of 2014 & Jan 2015 on JB blog
|
* ending 2025 with this blog post making it 3500 total (not all are published anymore) 2008-2025
