The Rest of the Story

I told the story of Joy Davidman, American Jewish Atheist, in my message last Sunday. She was at one point a leader in the communist movement in America, because of her sensitivity to the needs of the poor. She felt that communism might create a greater system of equality. Her marriage to Bill Gresham was troubled. They were both writers and began a spiritual journey together, that soon went in different directions. Gresham was a workaholic, an alcoholic and a philanderer. The story in my message was about how one day Bill called Joy to say he thought he was having a nervous breakdown and then hung up. Frantically, she tried to reach him throughout the day but was unsuccessful. Finally, that evening she put her boys to bed and waited for whatever news would come.      It was then, in her despair, that the walls of her self-assurance dropped and God entered her life. She had an experience that brought her peace and the beginning of a sustainable joy. Bill finally came home, but the struggles in their marriage continued. As Davidman explored her new faith further, she explored the writings of C. S. Lewis, and began a correspondence with him, finally going to visit him in England. While she was gone her husband created a relationship with Joy’s cousin. After this, Joy and Bill divorced, and she took their sons to England.      Joy’s health began to deteriorate and C. S. Lewis married her in order to create a stable situation for her sons. Then she got better and they fell in love. She lived for several more years, but then her illness returned and she passed away. “A Grief Observed” is Lewis’ account of the experience of seeing her pass and missing her deeply. He struggled with his own faith, but came back to an assurance of God’s love.      The movement of God in our lives is not so much magic as it is companionship, and our companionship with each other walks us into moments of wonder and depth that reflect the presence of God with us. Which is one of the reasons Jesus was called that… God with us… Emmanuel. Blessings, Geoff