Corrie Ten Boom

 

 

Somewhere in time, April 15^th 1892, Corrie Ten Boom was born in Holland.  Corrie grew and lived a simple life.  Her father was a watch maker and they lived in a small home above the shop. In the home she lived with her parents, one brother, two sisters and two Aunts.  She never married, she thought about it once, but the boy’s parents didn’t think Corrie was good enough for their son.  She didn’t need a husband to keep busy.  She taught classes and she enjoyed working with mentally challenged children.  She became the first woman to be a licensed watch maker in Holland.  This was long before women became a common fixture in the work place. 

Her idyllic life came crashing down when Germany invaded Holland.  After a week of fighting, Holland had surrendered.  At first, things seem to return to normal, but then, little by little the persecution of Jews started. At this point in her life there were only three people living in the house above the watch makers shop.  Corrie had just turned fifty,  Betsy was older and their father in his eighties.  She described it as two old spinsters and their father.  What could they do to stop the spread of violence against God’s people? 

They became a link on the underground chain that helped many Jews escape.  Even the underground was a little hesitant about using to middle aged single ladies, but they were persistent.  They spent two years defying the Nazi occupation by hiding Jews before they were caught.  

On February 28^th, 1944, the Ten Boom Family was arrested.  Her brother was visiting, so he was taken in the raid as well as her father, sister and nephew.  Hiding in the house at the time, were four Jews and two members of the Dutch resistance.  The family was arrested, but their special guests made it out to safety after 47 hours of hiding in a small space with little food or water. 

Many of us have heard about the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps, but Corrie’s family would get to experience it first-hand.  Her father, brother, nephew and sister all died because of their imprisonment.  Most not making it out alive.  They were not young, or strong or particularly bold, but they were standing strong for what they knew to be true. 

In the dark prison, where seven hundred women a day died, Corrie felt she had a glimpse of hell.  Betsy’s faith seemed stronger. 

“There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”  “God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies.”  These are quotes from Betsy, said while imprisoned. 

Forgiveness – if anyone had a reason to hate, Corrie did.  Four members of her family died in prison just for helping people.  She was beaten and starved.  She was held captive by people who had lost the sense of humanity.  Her family was betrayed by someone for money. They had their own Judas. 

Forgiveness – she chose to forgive.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Forgiveness isn’t easy, it takes work and it’s a choice. 

After the war, Corrie traveled to over sixty countries talking about her experiences and the power of God to see her through her darkest times.  In addition to that, she made the choice to forgive her captors.

She was speaking at a church in Germany when she saw a former prison guard, one noted for his brutality.  She had forgiven him, but human nature kicked in and she wanted to hate. She wanted to hate him, but God reminded her to forgive.  She walked up to the man after the service, still struggling with the feelings of anger and bitterness, but when she took his hand and looked into his eyes, God allowed the overwhelming peace of forgiveness to flood her spirit and set her free. She was truly free.

The man who had betrayed her family was arrested after the war and sentenced to death for his crimes. Corrie wrote him a letter and told him that she forgave him because Christ forgave her. He wrote back, because of her letter, he had surrendered his life to Christ.

Her story helps me put forgiveness in perspective.  I get angry and frustrated, but I have never been beaten and imprisoned.  I really have nothing to forgive by comparison.   

There is a belief among Jewish people, that those who die on their birthday are doubly blessed by God.  Corrie died on her birthday, April 15^th, 1983.