Jack, as he was fondly known to his friends and family, was a lovable boy. He loved life and nature, and his pet "Jacksie" and in fact, he nicknamed himself after his pet dog passed on. How funny!
However, life wasn't all fun for Jack, he was barely 10 years old, his loving mother died of cancer. As a kid, the younger of two sons, he was devastated. How could his mom, a sweet person, more so, the daughter of the priest of the church of England die of an illness even after so many prayers? Why did his mother have to die? Where was God when his mother was dying? Couldn't God just help and save her from dying? Maybe God doesn't exist after all.
Ironically, Jack blamed God for not existing. At age 15, he left the christian faith he was born into and became an atheist. He also got interested in Occult and Mythology. Now he's lost three (3) important things in one's life. A pet (Jacksie his dog), his mother and his God. Let's see if he'll find any back.
Jack got recruited into the Army at age 20 for World War I where he met a room-mate and friend, Edward "Paddy" Moore. Both cadets made a pact that if either of them died in the war, the survivor would take care of the bereaved one's family. Little did Jack know that he was about to have another loss of his tragedy list: Pet, Mother, God and now a best friend. Paddy died in the war. More reason for Jack to hate the "non-existent God" even more.
Well, Jack kept his promise and he adopted Paddy's mom and sister
(I never knew people adopt mothers, touchingly hilarious). Can we say he found his mother back in Paddy's mom?
As a lover of nature and literature, he began writing about life and culture in his surrounding. As a child, he loved reading about Fairytale Animal stories. He got into writing similar literature, especially children stories of Anthropomorphic animals. Can we say he was trying to get his pet back and did he find it through writing?
A couple of close friends of his which were Christians slowly but gradually led him back to God. He confessed that his conversion is not different from that of the Prodigal Son in the Bible. Now he's found his God. 3 down, 1 to go. Did Jack find that "special" friend?
Though Jack didn't meet Jill, he met someone more special. Joy Gresham, also a convert from Atheism to Christianity, became Jack's special friend, lover and companion. They got married and lived happily ever after. How sweet!
Life started rough for Jack but it sure wasn't rough all through. Life may not be a bed of roses, but it's a bed, all you need do is take off the thorns and cultivate the roses. Jack found his pet, mother, best friend and most especially, God found Jack.
That's not all about Jack. Ever come across
Chronicles of Narnia,
The Pilgrim's Regress and
Space Trilogy? These among a host of others are works of
Clive Staples "Jack" Lewis.
He made a name for himself, as a prolific writer, tutor, literary critic and theologian. To me, he's one big imaginative and creative author. I'm still much fascinated by the Chronicles of Narnia.
I used to watch the Series back in the days on National TV. I was thrilled then, I'm inspired now.
Now tell me,
are you inspired?
In the skies, I elevate
I'll fly like an Eagle for I am Great!
