In order to sustain her 'flock' in difficult conditions she "encouraged everyone to recognize how effective prayer could be as the armor for our hearts, quoting Mrs. Eddy's statement, 'Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you' (Pulpit and Press 15:18-19). Explaining that love's panoply was an armor that protects completely, [she] pointed out that this protection from hatred was not just from hatred directed at you from sources outside yourself -- it was more important to understand that love protects you from hatred's getting a foothold within your own thought or heart."
She reasoned along these lines (paraphrased):
1. Just as the trees' thick resistant bark provides protection from pests and diseases, so the Christian virtues like compassion, honesty, a gracious spirit, kindness, and forgiveness...would protect each soldier from hatred entering their heart.
2. Just as the trees' roots grow laterally and intertwine with each other to provide resilience and strength through mutual support, so the soldiers could support each other through studying the scriptures and following Jesus' instruction to love God and their neighbours.
3. Just as the redwood trees never stop growing, so each soldier was encouraged to continue to grow in grace and stay close to the scriptures.
The absolute joy of this story is that while Ms Horton was preparing her sermon, some severe cuts vanished from her face -- unnoticed by her (there were no mirrors in Bosnia!) but noticed by the Jewish rabbi who had accompanied her on the Bosnian trip. See pp. 144-146 of Cracking the Camouflage Ceiling. Available from Hawthorn Press.
This is a marvellous book - and worth every cent of its US$20 purchase price (plus postage to Australia). You'll probably want more than one so that you can share its blessings freely!
Julie Swannell
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