Corrie Ten Boom

CORRIE TEN BOOM

Probably one of the most influential people in my life, was Corrie Ten Boom. Though I never had the opportunity to meet her, I read her story as a young girl "The Hiding Place." So, for those of you that don't know her story, allow me to paraphrase it here...

She was in her 50's during WWII. Her father, a watch maker and sister, Betsie lived above their watch shop in Holland. Despite the FEAR of the Nazi's, Corrie and her family hid Jews in their home, saving as many as they could. This woman had courage beyond her fear... at the age of 59, she was arrested along with her elderly father and sister. (the Jews that were hidden above their shop were NEVER discovered). Corrie was taken to Ravensbruck concentration camp (where Anne Frank and her family were) where she narrowly escaped death. Her father and sister both died there. She made a promise to God while in an isolation cell, that if He allowed her to live, she would TELL the world about his amazing love and forgiveness... An error? There was an error in the prison paper work, and she was released (the real order was for ALL women her age and over to be exterminated)... Yet she lived.

Years later, while speaking about God's love and forgiveness... she noticed a man walking toward her after the lecture was complete. At first she saw a man in a tan suit...however the closer he got, the memory returned ~ green SS uniform! He was a guard at Ravensbruck! She remembered clearly the beatings he gave to her, her sister and to many many others... He had blood on his hands...

He stood before her in this church and spoke to her, "I was a guard at Ravensbruck and I did horrible things... now I am a Christian... Fraulein I ask for your forgiveness." He stretched his hand out toward her... For what seemed like eternity for Corrie...she prayed to her GOD, "How can I forgive this man for the things he did...HOW?" In a soft voice God answered, "How could you NOT?" Out of obedience to the one who sent his only son to die for her sins...she slowly lifted her hand to meet his... Yet, when flesh touched, she was infused with the most amazing love and forgiveness that only could come from one source...

Corrie has influenced me, not only because of her bravery... but also because she was NOT a hypocrite... she lived, breathed and exemplified all that I would want to be ~ authentic!