Ronald Scotty BourneThe motivation to write this story on Robert the Bruce, gradually came about while traveling back and forth to California from pilgrimages to Medjugorje, which is a small hamlet in the former Communist Yugoslavian countryside. On our return trips, mywife and I would regularly spend some time in Scotland, my native homeland. The first thing that connected these two together (Medjugorje and Bruce) is the important date they both share, the feast of John the Baptist, the 24th, of June. Other similarities are surprisingly striking: -Both of the communities had long standing feuds among themselves that badly needed healing. Some local Medjugorje families hadn't spoken to each other for generations; Scotland was awash with bitter clan feuds that had deep roots going back hundreds of years. -It was in Medjugorje on June 24, 1981, Our Lady (The Mother of God) first appeared to six young children that lived in a region of Yugoslavia, which later gained it's freedom and became the free state of Bosnia-Herzegovina (she spoke of the importance of prayer and the need for peace); on June 24, 1306, Robert the Bruce with an inferior army, fought and defeated the might of England at the battle of Bannockburn, gaining freedom for Scotland. -Yugoslavia had been oppressed by Communism; prior to the battle of Bannockburn, Scotland was under the cruel and oppressive influence of England. -Some of the fruits of Medjugorje are: Prayer, Peace, Conversions, Forgiveness and Reconciliation. These same fruits are evident in the story of Bannockburn: Prayer, Peace, Conversions, Forgiveness and Reconciliation. There is a saying, history has a habit of repeating itself, I honestly hope and pray that the world experiences more of these similar historical and life-changing events. It is my desire that everyone who finds themselves faced with difficult challenges will find hope, for with God all things are possible. Read More Read Less