I have never read such a beautiful & powerful non-fiction autobiographical book by Corrie (Cornelia) Ten Boom. This book has a lot to treasure from what they have learn before and after being held at the concentration camp during the holocaust period. I have to admit, I shed manly tears while reading this, it's so raw and genuine at the same time.
I think I'm gonna take excerpts out from the book of what has spoken to me while I was reading. So much feelings that I can't fathom myself to put it down into my own words.
“But,” she said, “this is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for a future that only He can see.”
I can't give her enough credit to what has been said. This is what my mom always tells me whenever I faced challenges in life (especially I think that person is difficult). However, in this context, Corrie has brought on a whole different level to it while it was a tough experience in the concentration camp to say something to sharp.
“They’re putting their lives on the line for what they believe,” she would say. “Why shouldn’t I?”
It was her journey to share what Christ has done and in certain countries/places, this means risking her life in prison or deportation. However, such encouragement was being spelled out when she didn't put herself as the ONLY evangelist.
And our wise Father in heaven knows when we’re going to need things, too. Don’t run out ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need—just in time.”
“Corrie,” he began instead, “do you know what hurts so very much? It’s love. Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. “There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill the love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or, Corrie, we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel. “God loves Karel—even more than you do—and if you ask Him, He will give you His love for this man, a love nothing can prevent, nothing destroy. Whenever we cannot love in the old, human way, Corrie, God can give us the perfect way.”
Such encouraging words from Casper Ten Boom (Father of Corrie).
“I shall use this place—wherever they’re taking us,” he said. “It will be my witness stand for Jesus.”
This was spoken by a Jew, whom has accepted Christ, was captured to deport. Wherever they are bringing him, he will never ceased to spread the love of Jesus during such difficult times.
At the very end, Corrie was so torn when she met a guard during her concentration camp at the end of her sharing session in Germany, whether to stretch out her hands as an act of forgiveness. And the most amazing this happen. Read it!
A picture of where the Hiding Place was held during the Holocaust. The Ten Boom's Beje has became a famous Museum in Netherlands.
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars.
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