Thoughts on Narnia -#1

Characters of Narnia - Puddleglum

Puddleglum, a unique creation of Lewis, is categorized as a "Marsh-wiggle" within the pages of The Silver Chair. He stands alone as the sole Marsh-wiggle to be bestowed with both a name and the opportunity for spoken words. Displaying a disposition of melancholy and negativity, he is labeled a "wet blanket" by fellow characters. However, according to his own testimony, even other Marsh-wiggles outshine him in the realm of gloominess.

Here are some Puddleglum quotes to brighten your day

“Good morning Guests” he said. “Though when I say good I don’t mean it won’t probably turn to rain or it might be snow, or fog, or thunder. You didn’t get any sleep, I daresay.”

"Very likely, what with enemies, and mountains, and rivers to cross, and losing our way, and next to nothing to eat, and sore feet, we’ll hardly notice the weather.”

"And you must always remember there’s one good thing about being trapped down here: it’ll save funeral expenses.”

“Life isn't all fricasseed frogs and eel pie.”

At the climax of The Silver chair story, the pessimistic-marsh-wiggle-Puddleglum gives testimony of faith in the face of doubt and lies.

Here is that speech:
"One word, Ma'am," he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain.

"One word. All you've been saying is quite right, I shouldn't wonder. I'm a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won't deny any of what you said. But there's one thing more to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things — trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play-world.

I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we're leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that's small loss if the world's as dull a place as you say."

Puddleglum says he’s going to live as a Narnian and search for his world where the King Aslan reigns even if it is a dream.  What a beautiful truth to be reminded of!!  I’ve never walked with Jesus in the flesh, I’ve never camped in Galilee, or had fish by the sea.  I do know that I want to live a life of belief in Jesus.  That belief in Jesus will be my battle cry against the lies and attacks of the Evil One.  

I love Puddleglum. I feel like a Puddleglum.  I love to point out the negative in every situation.  
When things get really hard in life I do I hope I can rise up to the occasion and embrace the suffering and choose to live as a follower of Jesus as Puddleglum chooses to live as a Narnian.

The following is a message I found from Covenant College Chapel by Camille Hallstrom.  I enjoyed it and it is worth the 37 minutes.