Article April 19, 1999 Issue

LOVE DISSOLVES HATE

Marguerite Wedel

When my daughter was in junior high school, she and four or five of her girlfriends decided they would like to spend some time in one of our local parks. One of the girl's parents was to take them there, and I was to pick them up later. While they were at the park, I spent much of my time praying for all mankind and myself. I also made an in-depth study of that week's Bible Lesson found in the Christian Science Quarterly. I was filled with a great sense of peace and much love—more than I had felt for some time.

As I drove to pick up the girls, I felt that love—God's all-inclusive love—going right with me. When I got to the park, I found the girls surrounded by a large gang of boys. The girls were crying and also seemed concerned for me. (Later my daughter said that a park maintenance worker had tried to help them, but when he received a blow to the face, breaking his glasses, he quickly left.) Yet I felt enveloped by divine Love, and when one of the boys approached me with a look of "OK, lady, what do you think you're going to do about this," I felt no fear, only love. I looked at him compassionately and said, "We are supposed to love each other." He looked at me almost in disbelief, and his face changed to a kinder expression. Then he said to his companions, "Come on guys, we don't want to do this to them," and they all walked away. Love truly dissolves hate.

Marguerite Wedel Anaheim, California

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