When I was 11 years old, living in Alturas, California, I would ride my bicycle 1.2 miles to the little Modoc County Library on 3rd street. During the summer I was there every week, skimming the shelves, seeking middle grade novels that would help me understand the tumultuous world around me as well as provide an escape from reality. I would check out as many books as would fit into the basket of my bicycle, then happily ride home, eager to crack open a book and immerse myself within the pages.
When I felt a sense of injustice in a story I read, it was very powerful when a character would fight back, despite all that is coming against them, despite all the obstacles and fears. To fight for themselves, and for others. To stand strong, no matter what.
I remember reading some novels that didn’t set well with me. Some provided encouragement and hope. A few made me laugh. And then there were those that impacted me for the rest of my life.
One of my favorite series was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Filled with adventure, magic and a bit of mystery, the stories showed that adversity will test and strengthen our resolve. Troubles push us forward, stretching and pulling us outside of our comfort zones, while giving us clarity as to who God is in the midst of it all.
As my core beliefs and independent identity were developing, I sought novels that would reinforce those beliefs, as well as provide growth and understanding about the world and the relationships that surrounded me. It’s within the pages of these Narnia stories I learned that God will allow and sometimes cause difficulties, because in the end it will not only draw us closer to Him, but also bring about a greater purpose.
“I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the horses the new strength of fear for the last mill so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Horse and His Boy
It was this understanding that caused me to take a step back in every difficult situation I encountered, to look at the bigger picture. What is God doing in my life through this? How can I allow it to grow me? Will I choose to trust Him through it all?
As a result, even as a child, my faith muscles grew.
Middle Grade readers are developing their own thoughts and views of the world, forming their beliefs about what is right and wrong, and learning how their daily choices impact themselves and those around them. They’re also discovering there is much in life that is out of their control. Yet, they still maintain a sense of awe and wonder, and have a delightful sense of humor. These are the best years for them to encounter God and learn about who He is, because they haven’t yet been jaded by the darkness and cynicism of our world.
It wasn’t until years later, in high school, when my desperate prayers weren’t being answered that I began to question God and His sovereignty, that a quote from the Narnia books surfaced in my heart, “He’s not a tame lion.”
“Gone! And you and I quite crestfallen. It’s always like that, you can’t keep him; it’s not as if he were a tame lion.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
And I remembered…God is not tame. He cannot be controlled. Just because we see how our answered prayers would be beneficial to us and the world around us, He sees what we cannot see. He knows what we do not know. While I don’t get to choose what will happen to me, or which prayers get answered, I do get to choose how I will respond to difficulties. And I can remind myself that the fires in our lives make us soft and moldable, so that God can shape us into being more like Jesus.
What we read during our growing years will influence our minds and hearts forever. It is stored in crevices and corners that we’ve forgotten and will spring up at unexpected moments. Choose novels that will reinforce your children’s budding ideologies while nourishing their hearts and souls. Invite them into conversation about what they’ve read. Then watch them strengthen those faith muscles and grow. They are never too young to stand up for what they believe in or to make a powerful difference in the lives of others.
