Among things in our culture that make no sense – things I mentioned that were ‘programmed’ into our thinking since birth (like buying all our major possessions with debt), there is this saying: “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”

I don’t know where that comes from but I seems to working with Lyle, the Lion, living in my bunker. When I see him, I “Roooaaarrr!!”

It must be lonely living in a land where no one knows your language, when you are thereby rendered mute. I think Lyle likes my greeting. He seems to enjoy the sentiment that I appreciate his lion hood. And, show Him due respect.

This reminds me of the verb “to know.” There is discussion about the biblical meaning of “to know.” But this is not quite that. Now that I speak he lion’s language, we can more easily understand each other.

Imagine NOT having a common language to communicate with your close relations? Close relations can be maddening as it is…Imagine there is no hope of understanding one another?

That would be rather coarse, rough, I mean. Arduous, exhausting. ‘Defeating any united purpose we may endeavor. That’s what the world seems like now, lots of people misunderstanding one another. It feels like being stuck in a crowded ocean full of frustrated people- an ocean with no tide.

Fortunately, Lyle and I have come to terms with our shared experience. I am not Lyle’s owner, I decided. Ownership suggests subjugation. Lyle is his own master. He comes and goes and knows and does His lion things. I am a guest in Lyle’s life, a companion. Unless our purposes no longer agree, then, the lion is free.

“It’s nice to have a lion,” I confessed in an earlier post. I think the correct expression is, “to know.” It’s nice to ‘know’ a lion.

It’d be nice to be free like a lion, too. Now that I think of it…

Roooaaarrr!!