Love

sleeping beloved

Talia’s Tale

Another king has taken control of Talia’s territory (a residual memory of the shifting political situation in Naples from the 1400s-1500s[2]).  We could certainly discuss the survivor motif once more (see my previous posts here and here); but I don’t think that’s quite the lesson we’re meant to learn from our Talia.

Throughout much of history, high-born women were given in marriage to secure political alliances.  These women were marrying strangers, a frightening concept in any era.  They had no guarantee of respect from their future husbands, let alone love.  Now, people are people, and I’m sure love blossomed in some of these situations…but there was no guarantee of it…

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sleeping beloved

The Love of the Father

Father is probably the first attribute we learn to associate with God, as it’s an easy concept for children to understand.  Granted, even the best of fathers can’t give as much love as God; but it’s such a tender picture of His love for us.

Talia’s father adores her.  A man doesn’t call fortune-tellers to his daughters crib otherwise.  He longs to protect her and ensure her safety.  When he discovers the danger, he immediately takes action.  There isn’t even a question in his mind!  Of course he will ban flax from his home.  Of course he will protect his daughter…

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Awakening Hearts: From Zellandine to Talia

The only love that can truly awaken your heart is the love of Christ, to which the Sleeping Beloved saga is an allegory.  Each of our versions covers an aspect of the awakening heart.  Zellandine’s story tenderly depicts the emotional journey of a survivor of violence.  We saw how nothing – no terror, no pain, no abuse – could ever separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-379), and that His love is able to redeem all things (Isaiah 61:1-3). 

Because Zellandine’s story deals with the emotional journey of a survivor, it is timeless.  Our next heroine, Talia, is far more at home in the Medieval and Renaissance periods.  She speaks for a culture quite alien to us, a culture where women didn’t have a say and had to find contentment without love.  We saw this to a certain extent in Zellandine’s story; it is more pronounced in Talia’s…

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Zellandine Restored

Last week we left Zellandine bereft, but choosing to be a survivor.  A part of her heart was missing, though, for how could she forget her lost babe? 

No mother can forget her child, yet God tells us it is more likely for a mother to forget than for Him to forget (Isaiah 49:15).  God did not forget Zellandine’s distress – and He has not forgotten yours.  Christ’s coming is evidence of this.  He came to heal, to free, to comfort, to restore.  We may not understand why evil things happen, but we know God does not condone sin and that one day all will be restored.  If not in this life, then in the next. 

While we wait for restoration, life goes on, as Zellandine’s did…

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Zellandine the Survivor

I am still amazed at the tenderness with which the author depicts the emotions of a survivor of violence.  He captures the moment when the choice to be a survivor is made, and yet shows how that choice  is a constant struggle.  For as any survivor will tell you, shame and fear and secrecy are hallmarks of the continuous battle.  

The Enemy strives to have us define our identities by our circumstances.  Like Zellandine, our identities are assaulted in many ways.  The harsh words of a loved one, the disdain of peers, the emptiness of being alone…or perhaps you, like Zellandine, are a survivor of violence.    

We cannot control our circumstances, but we can control our reactions.  We have a choice: to become hard or to become strong.  You must not confuse the two…

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Patience, Pride, and Love

Zellandine has been waiting patiently for someone to be worthy of her love.  Yes, she is “much taken” with Troylus; but she does not give him her heart.   Rather, she gives Troylus the opportunity to pursue her: will he offer to take the shield, the symbol of her love?  Or will he fall back on his pride, like all the others?   

Paul points out the dichotomy between love and pride in 1 Corinthians 13.  Simply put, pride is selfishly placing your desires before another’s needs.  Certainly there must be a give and take in a relationship; but a prideful person only knows how to take, and has trouble giving…

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Troylus the Loveless Knight

Troylus is not in love – and in Perceforest this is a dangerous thing.  For a man can only be a truly great knight if he is inspired by love.  Only love can cause a knight to fight boldly, honorably, and with great prowess.  If a man has no love, his deeds will fade away…

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