Summer Reading

Just in case anyone is looking for something interesting to read this summer, check out Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis. It's a fascinating story from ancient Greek mythology. I read that Lewis used the story to portray Christianity, but I found no connection at all, so let me know if you're able to see beyond the story. I would be very interested to hear your perspective. Have a wonderful week!

Chapter Three: Grace's Escape

Grace walked to her own residence, which was small and only moderately beautiful compared to that of the Maker. Still, she had been happy there. She reminisced on happier times as she walked, but at the same time a plan unfolded in her mind. "I am no longer good enough for him," she thought. "There is no way I can accept the Maker’s forgiveness, it’s too good to be true." She began to walk faster and soon broke into a run as she got closer to home. She did not see him, but Fear was chasing her as she ran, steadily increasing his grip on her heart. By the time she reached home, Grace’s heart was fully encompassed by the giant hands of Fear, and he laughed mockingly at his success. "That was easy!" he squealed. "Just wait until I report back to Annus." Grace entered the house, not bothering to close the door behind her. Fear followed her in and watched as he controlled her heart. She ran to her room and began tearing belongings from the bookshelves and windowsills. She ripped clothing from her dresser droors and stuffed it in an old, tattered suitcase. She sat on it as she latched the top, but when she yanked it from her bed, the handle fell off. Grace was overcome with emotions and sank down on her bed to weep. Finally, she fell asleep.

At 2:00 am Grace heard a loud crash and started out of bed. The front door had been slammed shut by the wind. "I’ve got to get out of here," she thought. She now realized that running frantically through the streets in broad daylight would not have been the most effective plan. She tiptoed out of bed and grabbed her suitcase, leaving the house quietly. She would have to find another way to escape. As she walked down main street, the gold pavement lighting the way, an ugly creature stepped out of the shadows. "I will help you to escape," sneered Insecurity. Grace jumped and backed up, trapping herself against the wall of the nearest building. "Who are you?" she said, her voice shaky. "They don’t want you here. The Maker told me just this evening that you were a disgrace to his kingdom. Leave with me and escape your impending punishment." "Punishment? The Maker told me he would forgive me," said grace nervously, still not sure who she was speaking to. "If you stay, you will be punished by shunning," said Insecurity, proud of his deceptive lies." Grace, forgetting that believing the lies of one of Annus’ creatures was what had gotten her into trouble in the first place, spoke to this creature one final time. "I want to go to the place where the humans live, that place they call Earth." Insecurity spoke two quiet words, "follow me." He disappeared into the shadows once again and Grace hurried after him with Fear not to far behind.

A messenger arrived at the meeting place where Annus was impatiently waiting for him. "All is well," said the messenger. "Grace’s heart belongs to Fear and she is following Insecurity through the darkness." Annus smiled and let out a haughty laugh. All was going just as planned. Soon, one of the Maker’s own would belong to him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As grace followed Insecurity blindly, she began to feel more confident in her choice. She believed now that there was no way for her to be reconciled with the Maker, and her only choice was to leave his Kingdom. After what seemed like hours of traveling in darkness, Insecurity and Grace arrived at a very large ornate door. It was decorated with symbols of all the feelings one could imagine: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, hurt, love, and hate. "There is something you must do before you can enter," said Insecurity. "Yes," murmured Grace pitifully, "What is it?" Insecurity, sneering at his success, answered her confidently, "You must relinquish your claim to the Maker’s kingdom. Once you leave you must understand that it is His decision to let you back in." "I do," said Grace as she let go of her suitcase, letting it fall to the ground. "I relinquish all claim." The Maker, who had been watching the whole ordeal let out a wail at these words and fell to his knees, weeping. "Why won’t she accept my forgiveness," he thought. I was so close to her and now she has rejected me." The door opened and Grace stepped through into the planet Earth.

Copyright © 2005 by Jamie Madera. Reproduction is forbidden without permission. Contact me at jamielynne87@yahoo.com.

Changes and decisions...

I got back from my trip to New York City last tuesday, nearly a week ago. I learned so many things, and I was so challenged in my music. I was a little discouraged because I know that I am not at the "Juilliard level", but I am also very driven now to bring myself up to that level. That is where my upcoming decision comes in: I have to decide what college to transfer to after the spring of 2006. Before college I never thought this far ahead about anything, and it is still strange to me, but I realize that there are deadlines, so I ask for your prayers as I make this decision. Thanks a bunch!