The Shining Barrier of Love

Recently, I have been engrossed in a book written by a close of friend of C. S. Lewis, Sheldon Vanauken. Sheldon's book, "A Severe Mercy," is the story of his idyllic marriage to his beloved wife Jean "Davy" Sheldon. It has surprised me how many of Sheldon's descriptions of his relationship with Davy remind me of my own relationship with Baby Sister. Consider the following passage, for example:

"Sometimes we had fights: we were human and had tempers. Usually the fights were over nothing: we would be tired or a bit out of touch from being out in the world and apart. Our very closeness was a danger in that we were instantly aware of the slightest disharmony: a grain of fine dust that would not affect an alarm clock may throw off a fine watch. A hint of anger or coldness in a voice would shock the other. Outrage would be politely expressed. Love had been betrayed... Hope was gone, eyes would be adverted, and an awful silence would ensue. Yet, in the depths, we knew that if we caught each other's eye we would laugh and it would be over... Sometimes the silence would become ridiculous and we would both be suppressing a desire to laugh; finally one of us would, uncontrollably, grin; laughter would follow and we would be lovers again. Heaven would follow: reconciliation, tenderness, joy. Depths and heights."



Sheldon uses the remainder of his book to describe not only his growing closeness with his beloved Davy, but also their growing relationship with Christ. While at the beach last weekend, I had a chance to finish this incredibly powerful story. I stretched out the final chapters as long as possible-- I did not want the book to end! Sheldon's depth of love for Christ and Davy shines through the pages of his memoir. It is a beautiful book; a book for anyone, as one reviewer wrote, "who has truly loved another person." Read it; you will not be disappointed.