Remember the Signs

Decades from now when I look back on these years of raising young children, I doubt that few memories will be more superb than the nights we have chosen to pause – snuggling up fireside or by hurricane lamp, breathing a bit slower, letting our souls catch up with our lives (if only for a few moments) – to savor and listen as a family to an epic story via audio book.

A most treasured audio book series that we return to regularly (of course!) is C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.

In The Silver Chair, Aslan charges Jill to remember the crucial signs that will guide her on her seemingly impossible quest to rescue Prince Rilian. If she can just cling to Aslan’s words and follow the signs he gave her, she will most certainly find her way. His counsel strikes me again as I lift my eyes toward the expanse of 2015…

But, first, remember, remember, remember the signs. Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night. And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs. And secondly, I give you a warning. Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly: I will not often do so down in Narnia. Here on the mountain, the air is clear and your mind is clear; as you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken. Take great care that it does not confuse your mind. And the signs which you have learned here will not look at all as you expect them to look, when you meet them there. That is why it is so important to know them by heart and pay no attention to appearances. Remember the signs and believe the signs. Nothing else matters.

In the spirit of remembering, I’ve highlighted below a few signposts on the treasure map we’ve stumbled upon together in past years. I hope you enjoy remembering. Click on the links below to dig deeper…