- Aug 20
- 4 min read

Narnia - Book Study Reflection

Happy Tuesday,

Okay, y’all—this August heat is brutal. You know I live for the summer, but these 100-degree temperatures are melting me. What better way to round out summer and beat the heat than a fun, light-hearted read that brings you back to childhood? I present to you…The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

The wonderful women of the Abiding Together Podcast have struck gold yet again with their summer book study. It’s actually a re-recorded series from about five years ago, and they dive into C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I did not realize, but this is actually the second book of the series, which Lewis lovingly wrote and gifted to his Goddaughter, Lucy Barfield.

His endearing message reminds me of my word for the year, “Delight.” I didn’t particularly remember loving the book or the movie growing up, nor did I comprehend or realize the many direct Christian ties to this magical book. It’s a story of adventure, resurrection, and salvation. Sometimes, it takes time and maturity to truly appreciate something.

That childlike curiosity and wonder is ever-present in the book. The characters are hilariously comical and lifelike, bringing forth great reflection.

Matthew 18:1-5

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

Good Reads Synopsis the Book:

Narnia… the land beyond the wardrobe door, a secret place frozen in eternal winter, a magical country waiting to be set free. Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don't believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves. In Narnia they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch. When they meet the Lion Aslan, they realize they've been called to a great adventure and bravely join the battle to free Narnia from the Witch's sinister spell.

Lady K’s Touching Take-Aways from the Book:

“When we numb our heart and our identity, we numb our wonder and our inheritance,” - Abiding Together.
It takes courage to live like Lucy! Children easily encounter wonder and awe. In what areas am I jaded or hold a stony heart?
Where is the Edmund in my life where I swallow up shame?
When we are aligned with the Lord
- Our will and the will of the Lord match
- The Lord wants nothing more than to grant us the deepest desires of our hearts.
Actions Speak louder than words
- “You didn’t think anything at all!”
- 90% of the times I have regretted saying something is because I didn't think through it - I spoke without processing
The delight in the simple things of life
- The pleasure of good company, a warm home, a sticky marmalade roll, and tea
“We need story listeners in our lives. Those who sit and listen and ask the deeper questions. How is the Lord working in your life’s story?” - Abiding Together
- What a great prompt to reflect on the relationships in our lives. Are we serving as story listeners or just storytellers? There’s a balance of the two.
- How can I express gratitude to those in my life who are excellent and supportive story listeners?
In the book, Narnia faces a perpetual winter—no Christmas—just cold and snow and the terrifying rule of the White Witch. When Aslan enters the book, each child notes that Spring is coming. The world of Narnia is melting.
Self-Reliance - I cannot do it. The Lord works through me.
I aspire to live like Lucy—brave, gentle, dedicated to what is noble and true. However, I have to acknowledge the times that I act like Edmund. I can be jealous and envious and make decisions based on what is solely best for me.
In regards to emotional outbursts and rude or angry actions from others
- There are learned behaviors in life - wounds aren't an excuse for bad behavior, but they shed light on the story.
- What wound might have happened in a person’s life, especially in childhood that causes them to lash out that way
- A good 90% of emotional outbursts or rudeness in the workplace stems from stress at home. Work and personal life exist together - it’s incredibly evident
- How can I help someone navigate that wound instead of writing them off or considering them rude/mean?
Aslan tells the siblings - “Here is your brother (Edmund who created all the problems), and there is no need to talk to him about what is past.”
- Wow, divine forgiveness. Forgiveness pardoned/given before forgiveness is asked.
Imagine encountering Christ after the Crucifixion. Susan and Lucy are right there to be with Aslan after the Witch hurts him terribly. Their words rushing to Aslan’s side are powerful.
- “They saw His face and burst out crying, kissed it, fondled it, and wiped away the blood and foam as best they could. It was more lonely and horrid than they knew how to describe.”
When we are betrayed, we want vengeance.
- Forgiveness is not just for the other person - it is absolutely also for us and our healing.