On June 13^th, our family and the Mutz family were snatched out of our normal routines much like the Pevensie children were suddenly snatched out of the London railway station back into the other world of Narnia as told in the book, Prince Caspian. Only instead of landing on a bright sunny warm beach, our families found ourselves being pulled into a dark cold tunnel, the valley of the shadow of death. It felt just as unexpected and other worldly to us as the experience of the children in the Narnia adventures. At the end of the book, going back to their normal lives in London was not their choice. It was Aslan’s. And so our return to the world of meetings and errands and laundry and tasks is also one of mixed emotions, but we too are being led back by Aslan, the King.

After church on Sunday, Dennis and I both agreed that we felt it was time to begin moving on. The longing to stay in the valley is not as strong as it was last week, but instead I feel a need to take what I’ve learned from Molly’s life with me into the future. I’m still a bit afraid of the encroachment of the trivial. And I don’t want to become critical of those who appear shallow because they haven’t been where we’ve been.   We saw so much so clearly in the valley and I long for that sharp clear vision to remain with me. But, honestly, I’m not sure how to keep these thoughts and values with me daily. I’m in transition.

Susan and I wrote about transitions in our book. It was Susan’s contribution and a valuable one. Transitions from one season to another, from one life experience to another, from one world to another are never simple or smooth. We moms long to hold on to the memories of the good times with our children after they’ve left the nest just as my Rebecca is treasuring every memory of her seven days with her daughter, Molly. None of us wants to give up what was so valuable in that season be it short or long. We moms were changed by those experiences, by those people who are our children.

But God calls us on. He calls us forward. 

I’ve been reading my bible a lot in the last two weeks desperate for comfort and solace and guidance and hope. And I have been amply rewarded by the God of all comfort. Two phrases from my reading today bring me perspective as I move on. Paul says we are “perplexed, but not despairing.” I and all of us who loved Molly will remain perplexed as to why God planned to take her home after only seven days of life, but we will not despair for we know He is Lord over all and we trust Him. The second is, “we have as our ambition, whether at home in the body or absent, to be pleasing to Him.” I have an increased desire to please God with my life, knowing only He knows the length of my days. Molly taught us that very well. May pleasing Him be a goal that is true of us all.