I just finished reading this book called The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch. At the end of the book I read about something I thought would be so good to share. I'm trust going to insert the paragraphs with what I read here. If you have not read the book yet and intend to read it one day, beware of spoilers ahead!
We kept our approach slow and easy until there was only about ten feet separating us. Everything around us stank of blood and fire. Jenny and Jackson and I stopped where we were; the man with the patch lifted one hand, and his people stopped too. Gun barrels dipped slightly but did not drop.
"You're from Fort Leonard," said.
The man nodded slowly. "Looks like you all had a bit of trouble here."
"Yes sir."
The man appraised the field around us and spit on the ground. "Slavers. We passed a bunch of them retreating on the way over. No coincidence they were here, I guess."
"No sir."
"You all hired them to take care of us."
...
The group from Fort Leonard gripped the stocks of their guns like they were trying to keep their heads above water. If the wind blew wrong, they'd fire. And if they did, Marcus and his people would too.
...
Painfully slow, Marcus lowered the barrel of his rifle, keeping his eyes on the people from Fort Leonard the entire time, looking for any hint they were about to take advantage. When they didn't, he lowered his gun all the way and then motioned for Sam and the others to do the same.
The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch (pages 259 and 260)
Hopefully you understand what happened from those paragraphs. If you didn't, I'll explain a little bit. I can't explain much without completely giving away what happens in the book, but there was a prank gone wrong and Fort Leonard was coming to fight the others who lived at Settler's Landing. The people of Settler's Landing are the main characters in the book, and Fort Leonard are seen as the bad guys. Instead of fighting, Stephen (the pov of the book) proposed peace basically. So, instead of having an all out war, everyone declared peace and the people of Fort Leonard and Settler's Landing became friends.
What stood out to me from this part of the book was: Instead of war, you can have peace. The best part of peace is that no one has to die. Yeah, I know you're not going to actual war right now, but think about it as a spiritual war or a fake war. Instead of fighting over nothing, or anything just have peace. Shalom=peace
Also, think of coming together in unity. Let's come together, forgetting our differences in skin, religion, and let's all be friends! Let's have peace and come together in unity.
Anyone reading this is probably thinking: that's easier said than done. How do you have peace instead of war? First you have to know where you stand. Are you going to be the bigger person, or drop down to the level of the enemy? I hope you got something out of this, and keep that last question in your mind this week. Find a situation whether it's between your best friend or sworn enemy, and make peace.
~ Ella
Good job