Protecting the innocents by protecting innocence
How can we respond to news about brutality involving children? One thought that came strong and clear was from Hymn No. 9 (Violet Hay) in the Christian Science Hymnal:
He knows the angels that you need,
And sends them to your side,
To comfort, guard and guide.
This message helped me to pray; it reminded me that God would give me the calm I needed, and guide me to the right thoughts. But it was also for the children who are at risk. God’s angel thoughts are with them, lifting them high above hatred and violence. They can be receptive to this comfort no matter what stage of life they are in, and no matter where in the world they are. Finally, I had to see that God’s love applied to the perpetrators, as well—His angels were for them, too. In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker
Eddy, the definition of angels reads: “God’s thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality, counteracting all evil, sensuality, and mortality” (p. 581).
This statement ticked all the boxes! Each person, including those who would commit violence against children, can hear God at any time. There can be no barriers to good, no resistance to hearing the God-directed message. No one is impervious to good. I had to see these individuals as God knew them—as created in His image, innately loving and pure. In order to pray for the safety of children around the world I had to see the so-called aggressor as God’s child. I had to break through the thought of there being a hateful mortal, with a mind separate from God.
As I continued to pray about unsettling news bulletins, it became apparent that error—what Mary Baker Eddy called “aggressive mental suggestion” (Church Manual, p. 42)—would try to use children as its punching bag, saying, “The world is full of hatred, and you are all affected by it and powerless against it.” For our sakes and our children’s, it is vital to realize that this is a lie, a suggestion; the reality is that God is in control, and as we insist on this fact, we can expect to see evidence of that peaceful control.
Hymn 58 in the Christian Science Hymnal is so relevant in understanding our children’s safety. I especially love the last verse:
In Thy house securely dwelling,
Where Thy children live to bless,
Seeing only Thy creation,
We can share Thy happiness,
Share Thy joy and spend it freely.
Loyal hearts can feel no fear;
We Thy children know Thee, Father,
Love and Life forever near.
(Elizabeth C. Adams)
Nothing can attack our children as they “securely dwell” with their Father-Mother in that “secret place of the most High” (Psalms 91:1). Every time I hear of an incident involving children, I protect them in my thoughts by knowing that God is their Life and God is their All. In praying for children, we surround all concerned with God’s correcting, unconditional love. I am expecting to see results from these prayers and from everyone’s prayer! And I have seen encouraging signs already, including stricter enforcement of laws in many countries pertaining to violence against children.
When hatred appears so big, we can go bigger—go to divine Love. Love dissipates hatred, breaks through and dissolves error, and protects the innocence of all God’s children.
