Why I love C. S. Lewis
In which I try to explain why I love C. S. Lewis as a person, and author, and an inspiration.
Quite honestly, I feel like Jack is a kindred spirit. I feel like we would both get along splendidly. I can just imagine having tea with him, and discussing music, books, Narnia, and various mythologies. Or I can imagine talking about the deep longing we both have for another world, for a magical place, for a place of wonder and innocence and stories over a nice lunch by a warm fire.
"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."
C. S. Lewis
I can imagine talking about the Lord, and sharing stories and encouragement. I can imagine comparing drafts for new stories, or poems. I wish I could have met him. Someday in another life I will. ;)
In essence, this is why I love C. S. Lewis. Because he was a believer, a dreamer, and story teller, and a story lover. He appreciated the meaning of books, and the power they possess.
"We read to know
that we are not alone."
-C. S. Lewis
"In reading great literature I
become a thousand men and yet
remain myself....I see with a myriad
of eyes, but it is still I who see."
-C. S. Lewis
And gosh, did he ever write good books! He has written some of the most beautiful books I have ever read, and will ever read. He has this amazing way of putting his feelings and thoughts, his experiences and wit into his work so subtly and simply, whether he is writing fiction, or non fiction. That's what I have always felt when reading his books: that what he is saying then would be what he would say if he were standing in front of you. And it's beautiful, because you feel like you just got good advice from a friend, not a lecture, or reprimand, or anything else of the sort. I wish I could express it better then that, but I can't.
"I never exactly made a book.
It's rather like taking dictation.
I was given things to say. "
-C. S. Lewis
I appreciate the fact that he believed in imagination. I love that he believed that children need to hear about magical, fantastic stories. That those shouldn't be taken from them.
"Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage."
-C. S. Lewis
He expressed that no one should loose their childlike wonder, or love of the impossible. That adults shouldn't look down on children's stories, or think them insignificant. I feel like Susan from Narnia is a really good example of this. Her character shows how easy it is to stop believing, to stop hoping, to loose imagination. Then look at Digory Kirke. He never stopped believing, even when he was old and grey. And he wasn't a silly grown up, not in the least. In fact, he was all the wiser for believing in Narnia, and believing the Pevensies when they told him of this magical land in the wardrobe. Here again, Jack had weaved some of his ideas and feelings into two of the most well beloved characters in Narnia.
"A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest."
-C. S. Lewis
He was also so wise in regards to faith. He had so many wise, subtle words. So many thoughts that provoke you, and make you look twice, dig deeper.
"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."
"God doesn't want something from us. He simply wants US."
"Faith is the art of holding on to things in spite of your changing moods and circumstances."
"Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive."
"A woman's heart should be so close to God a man should have to chase Him to find her."
And that my friends, is the best way I could sum up why I love C. S. Lewis so much. I'm so grateful to him, for his wise words; and thankful to the Lord for giving him the gift of writing that he so obviously possessed. Thanks so much for putting up with my ramblings.. And kudos to you if you read the whole post! What about you? Why do you love C. S. Lewis?
-Abby
Quite honestly, I feel like Jack is a kindred spirit. I feel like we would both get along splendidly. I can just imagine having tea with him, and discussing music, books, Narnia, and various mythologies. Or I can imagine talking about the deep longing we both have for another world, for a magical place, for a place of wonder and innocence and stories over a nice lunch by a warm fire.
"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."
C. S. Lewis
I can imagine talking about the Lord, and sharing stories and encouragement. I can imagine comparing drafts for new stories, or poems. I wish I could have met him. Someday in another life I will. ;)
In essence, this is why I love C. S. Lewis. Because he was a believer, a dreamer, and story teller, and a story lover. He appreciated the meaning of books, and the power they possess.
"We read to know
that we are not alone."
-C. S. Lewis
"In reading great literature I
become a thousand men and yet
remain myself....I see with a myriad
of eyes, but it is still I who see."
-C. S. Lewis
And gosh, did he ever write good books! He has written some of the most beautiful books I have ever read, and will ever read. He has this amazing way of putting his feelings and thoughts, his experiences and wit into his work so subtly and simply, whether he is writing fiction, or non fiction. That's what I have always felt when reading his books: that what he is saying then would be what he would say if he were standing in front of you. And it's beautiful, because you feel like you just got good advice from a friend, not a lecture, or reprimand, or anything else of the sort. I wish I could express it better then that, but I can't.
"I never exactly made a book.
It's rather like taking dictation.
I was given things to say. "
-C. S. Lewis
I appreciate the fact that he believed in imagination. I love that he believed that children need to hear about magical, fantastic stories. That those shouldn't be taken from them.
"Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage."
-C. S. Lewis
He expressed that no one should loose their childlike wonder, or love of the impossible. That adults shouldn't look down on children's stories, or think them insignificant. I feel like Susan from Narnia is a really good example of this. Her character shows how easy it is to stop believing, to stop hoping, to loose imagination. Then look at Digory Kirke. He never stopped believing, even when he was old and grey. And he wasn't a silly grown up, not in the least. In fact, he was all the wiser for believing in Narnia, and believing the Pevensies when they told him of this magical land in the wardrobe. Here again, Jack had weaved some of his ideas and feelings into two of the most well beloved characters in Narnia.
"A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest."
-C. S. Lewis
He was also so wise in regards to faith. He had so many wise, subtle words. So many thoughts that provoke you, and make you look twice, dig deeper.
"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."
"God doesn't want something from us. He simply wants US."
"Faith is the art of holding on to things in spite of your changing moods and circumstances."
"Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive."
"A woman's heart should be so close to God a man should have to chase Him to find her."
And that my friends, is the best way I could sum up why I love C. S. Lewis so much. I'm so grateful to him, for his wise words; and thankful to the Lord for giving him the gift of writing that he so obviously possessed. Thanks so much for putting up with my ramblings.. And kudos to you if you read the whole post! What about you? Why do you love C. S. Lewis?
-Abby
I like your thoughts. :)
ReplyDeleteSo, which of his books have you read?