Unbroken, but scared
Linda Soller | Oct 10, 2012
Our Lunch Bunch selection for September was Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. It is a powerful book relating the true story of Louie Zamperini. It is possible you have never heard of him, but once you know his story it is hard to imagine that anyone could forget him. Louie’s story covers nine decades with emphasis on the years just before, during, and after WWII. He is not your typical hero, pushing the limits as a young person, stubborn and determined as an adult, a true survivor. The story clearly illustrates man’s inhumanity toward his fellow man, the horror and chaos of war, and the power of God’s grace and forgiveness. It is a unique war story of battles around and within its characters. You may be surprised that it was a selection for our church book group, but only if you have not read it.
Too often we look at others, even those we think we know well, and we shake our heads. We think or say things like: Why is she that way? Why doesn’t he just stop that habit? I don’t understand why she is so angry. The list goes on. We may not intend to be judgmental; sometimes I think we just want to understand. Louie survived many ordeals and just when it would seem to the people around him that life should be good, it started to fall apart. Louie was unbroken, but he was most definitely scared. The wounds of his life had been deep and while he looked okay on the outside, there was a lot of healing still going on inside. Some of us grew up with parents, or grandparents, or neighbors who survived WWII. In some cases we watched those people struggle to find normal. It is not a unique problem to that war and its warriors.
Louie calls on God in his despair, during and after the war. With God’s grace and forgiveness Louie learns a lesson more powerful than any human enemy. He recognizes the enemy within may be actually be giving power to the enemy without. It is a story of triumphant on many levels. I am sure you have heard the expression about walking a mile in another’s shoes before judging. Louie would challenge you to run that mile. Confused? Read the book, you won’t regret it. Have a great week.
:o) Linda
