Treasure Tuesdays: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

The day of writing, reading, and books.

*****

Note: I have reviewed this book previously and it's on an old blog. You can read more of my reviews at Views From Hobbit Hole.

Not many books are more moving than this. If this were a story of a woman who sacrifices everything to do the right thing, it would be enough.

But it is more than that.

It is the story of love and the ultimate forgiveness.

It's 1937. Corrie and Betsie are the Christian daughters of a watchmaker. Corrie at forty five and Betsie, seven years older, have lived all their lives above the family clock shop in Holland. It is here that they do the only thing they feel can do. They hide the Jews trying to escape the Holocaust.

Eventually they are discovered and arrested and sent to the German prison camps where they manage to maintain their dignity and faith in spite of the humiliating treatment they receive from the guards.

In one of the most inspiring passages Corrie and Betsie are in the barracks and have this conversation.

"That's it, Corrie? That's His answer. 'Give thanks in all circumstances!' That's what we can do. We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about this new barracks!"

I stared at her, then around me at the dark, foul-aired room.

"Such as?" I said.

"Such as being assigned here together."

I bit my lip. "Oh yes, Lord Jesus!"

"Such as what you're holding in your hands."

I looked down at the bible. "Yes! Thank You, dear Lord, that there was no inspection when we entered here! Thank You for all the women, here in this room, who will meet You in these pages."

"Yes," said Betsie. "Thank You for the very crowding here. Since we're packed so close, that many more will hear!" She looked at me expectantly. "Corrie!" she prodded.

"Oh, all right. Thank You for the jammed, crammed, stuffed, packed, suffocating crowds."

"Thank You," Betsie went on serenely, "for the fleas and for-"

The fleas! This was too much. "Betsie, there's no way even God can make me grateful for a flea."

"Give thanks in all circumstances," she quoted. It's doesn't say 'in pleasant circumstances.' Fleas are part of this place where God has put us."

And so we stood between piers of bunks and gave thanks for fleas. But this time I was sure Betsie was wrong.

Later they discover that the reason why the guards didn't step into the barracks and stop the Bible reading among the women was because of the fleas.

Corrie not only survived, but she lived into her nineties traveling and speaking and became a beacon of hope and a testament of love and foregiveness.

If you're in the mood for an inspirational true story, this is it, and one that will forever change your perspective.