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Hedge of Thorns

by John Hatchard

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Even though this book was first published in 1819, the message is timeless.  The lessons John is learning and the way that God leads his father to explain them are incredible truths. 

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In chapter 4, I'm immediately impressed with Father's actions and demeanor.  Though the author doesn't say so, I feel that Father must have been praying, asking God for the right words to say to his son.  Both father and son are obviously broken-hearted over what has happened to sweet little Bell, and I believe this common ground of brokeness is what sets the stage for Father's spirit-filled words of wisdom.   

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I'm awed by the apparent calmness and certain deliberateness with which Father silently leads John to the 'scene of the sin.'  He knows what has to be taught, and he delivers the message - making sure that he doesn't go on until,"...he had made me (John) understand so far."  (Oh, that I would have Father's wisdom , patience...and grace....to stay with the teachings each step of the way until my young ones completely understand.)

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How insightful to explain God's plans for us as His "interfering."  In my thesaurus, the word listed as a synonym for interfere is intercede....literally, to move or pass between.  How awesome to think of God interceding on our behalf by putting up hedges to keep us where we need to be. 

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I liked, too, how John's Father pointed out the positive side of having the hedge - how it would provide shade and sweet blossoms in the summer.  That made me think about how we often refer to our Christian walk as being on a narrow path and how that is sometimes seen as a negative.  Yet really, that narrow path is a pleasant path when we stay on it as we should.  We have the benefits of His protection and His blessings along the way - and those are much more rewarding that any sin off of the path could ever be.

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I understand completely how John could say that his religion was in his head and not his heart.  I've experienced that!  It isn't a good place to be, and one that leaves you open to temptation in a big way.  That is apparently what is about to happen to John as he starts to feel discontent with where he is and starts comparing himself to others.  A wise person, who was a mentor to me in my early years of homeschooling used to say, "Comparison is the death of contentment."  Very true.

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In chapter 7, John's "heavenly hedge" is taken away.  From the 'prodigal' thoughts that John has already had running around in his head, it's obvious that he's about to get into some sort of sin.  I have an idea what thorny hedges the Lord may put up for him when that happens, but I'll have to keep reading!