JRR Tolkien was no stranger to loss. Neither was his close friend. CS Lewis. Their relationship was more of an "iron sharpens iron" when discussions turned to God.
Both loved storytelling and digging deep into the wonder of knowing God and coming into a relationship with him. Tolkien came to faith early in life. Lewis wrestled with the decision. Tolkien walked with him as a friend. Tolkien was a devout Catholic; Lewis returned to the Anglican (Episcopalian) church he left as a teen. They were lifelong friends with many shared experiences. They were quite a pair. They had a passion to know God better and deeper.
They did friendship well.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." -JRR Tolkien, from Gandalf to Frodo, "Fellowship of the Ring"
None of us knows the number of our days. We must choose carefully how to spend each one of them. It was a reality the friends had experienced way too early in life. It helped them ask some of the big questions about what really matters in life. They worshiped under different roofs, but they were brothers in Christ. Oh to have been a fly on the wall when they were pondering the aspects of the Holy Trinity.
CS Lewis dedicated "The Screwtape Letters" to Tolkien. It is a reminder that the enemy is alive and well, calculating our demise. I am confident Tolkien laughed aloud at times, and perhaps he saw glimpses of conversations shared in the writings. Iron sharpens iron.
Tolkein was at the graveside when Lewis was buried. How his heart must have ached at the loss of his dear friend. He knew that the separation was temporary. He knew he would have to decide what to do with the remaining time on his clock. He was grateful for the times shared and the deeper walk with the Lord each knew because of the other.
They did friendship well.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." -Romans 12:15
Today, I am grateful for the time given to us.
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