Thoughts on Corrie ten Boom

-
One of the people who has inspired me the most is Corrie ten Boom. I've read many of her books, including her most well-
known - "The Hiding Place." It's the story of how Corrie and her family risked their lives to hide Jews during the Holocaust. I've also seen the movie and watched / listened to several of her sermons. If you are unfamiliar with her story, I am including a link to a very short version of it here called -  "The Secret Room".

There are a few reasons I have been so inspired by not only this woman, but also by her family. Corrie's parents were amazing. Casper ten Boom, Corrie's father, was a quiet Christian clockmaker in Holland. Corrie also became a clockmaker. Casper had a strong faith and gathered his family around him, daily, as he read the Bible to them, truly instilling God's word in their hearts. Corrie's mother was a wonderful woman that shared her love with her "soup pot and sewing basket"-(The Hiding Place). Their home and hearts were open to anyone that had a need; anytime. I read of Corrie's father and of her upbringing and wished I could raise my kids the same way. They were so accustomed to helping people, that when their Jewish neighbors and friends were thrown out of their homes, during World War II, they automatically brought them into their home and gave them shelter, without a second thought. That would continue for quite some time. They didn't have the "me and mine" mentality--no they courageously risked their lives to help and protect others.


When Corrie and her sister, Betsie, ended up in a concentration camp, they shared the gospel with the other women there and gave them the only thing they had... hope. Betsie, Corrie's older sister, had a great faith and helped Corrie to see things in a new way. Instead of complaining about the flea-ridden barracks, for instance, Betsie told Corrie that they needed to follow what the Bible said about being thankful in all things. So they decided to do that and when they realized the guards were staying away because of the fleas, they had the opportunity to hold prayer-meetings and Bible studies with the women there.

 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

When Corrie was released by a clerical error from the camp, a week before all women in her age group were killed(her sister Betsie had died in the camp), she went around the world, preaching the message that "there is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still" and about the power of forgiveness. She also worked with survivors of the war and concentration camps, helping them heal enough to go on with life.

Do you think this 50-something year-old, quiet, clockmaking spinster ever expected to be, first of all put into the position of risking her life for others, then into horrendous conditions in prisons and finally ending up in a dreaded concentration camp? Then once free, thrust into the spotlight to tell about it? Wow! God does amazing things with willing people! I'm sure she never would have imagined this life in her wildest dreams!

None of us know what tomorrow will hold. We can be going along and boom - everything changes! Are we ready for those things that could pop-up and surprise us? Are we ready to give all, if called to? I can honestly say, I hope I never end up in the kind of situation that Corrie did, and I probably never will, but will I be prepared for the inevitable things that will occur in my life?

So how do you prepare for an uncertain life? Trusting God is key. In order to really trust God, you need to know Him. In order to know Him, you must take the time to get to know Him. A few ways to do that are: spending time reading His word, having daily prayer, and fellowshipping with other believers. Prayer doesn't need to be formal all the time, it's like talking to God as you would a friend. Trusting  means knowing that we don't have to fear; that God will see us through whatever is thrown our way. This faith in God, will enable us to stand through hard things, with His help.

Hope you will look deeper into Corrie ten Boom's life and be inspired the way I have been. Thank you for reading.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Difference God Makes

-
So about a month and a half ago, I talked about the story in the Bible with the two demon-possessed guys that lived in the tombs, naked and cutting themselves, at prayer-meeting. Jesus cast the demons out and sent them to live in the herd of pigs. After he restored them, one begged Jesus to take him with him. He wanted to be with Jesus and be His disciple. But Jesus said, "No, go back home and tell them what I have done for you." And the man instantly obeyed - no questions asked. Forgive my loose paraphrase. I decided that since we were on the subject of the two demoniacs that night, I would share an experience that I had when I was a teenager, with them. When I was fourteen, I met a guy when we moved to a new town. I was completely into the heavy-metal scene. So when I showed up at school, he noticed me pretty quickly, wearing my black rock shirts and Levi jacket with the patches. Kids like us all gravitated toward each other because we had a common bond. Plus he thought I
Read more

Old Houses

-
Image
I love old houses. I feel really sad to see them like this. To me this house is still beautiful, still majestic. I imagine all the rooms. All the detailed woodwork and moulding inside, the stairway, the high ceilings and old fixtures that are still intact. Like doorknobs, locks and hinges. Probably some of the original glass is still in the windows. At one point someone must have really loved this house.  This is a storybook house. It reminds me of the "The Secret Garden." It's tucked away and hidden. I can imagine myself wandering through the woods and stumbling upon it. Then bringing paint and other things to fix it up. I read a book once when I was a kid about a girl who found a house and did that, but I can't remember the name. When I see a house like this, it makes me think of the little farm family that once lived here. If I try hard enough I can still see kids running through the yard laughing and mama hanging clothes on the line. Simpler times, simpl
Read more

Down By the River

-
Image
One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday afternoon - hanging out at the river. It was a perfect day. We went for a walk on the trail, enjoying the warm sunshine and cool breeze.  The kids chased butterflies and picked wildflowers. I spent some time down by the river just reflecting on God's beautiful nature and writing in my prayer-journal, while they played. So peaceful. My daughter, Sophie, myself and my youngest daughter, Amanda. Our friend, Martin, with Sophie and Amanda Mandie playing in the dirt. Martin can throw pretty far.  Ahh...JOY!!!!
Read more