Strength in Hiding

For those of you who follow here on Blue Collar Christianity, you probably notice that I don't review books or talk about the latest christian celebrity gossip. Today however, I am pleased to make an exception. Here is my 13 year old daughter's take on The Hiding Place. If you enjoy, let me know. Perhaps we will put her on staff....

Strength in Hiding

Everyone needs something to keep them going. Some choose people, some choose money, and some choose things, whatever seems to work. Although these may help for awhile, many end up wanting more and more, which obviously means they need something else. Also, money, clothes, or people can’t help all the time. Does money help a help a person when he is in trouble for something he did not do? Or what if a child is deadly sick; could her dad help her then? Corrie, in The Hiding Place, portrays that God is the only security that won’t let you down. He gave Corrie strength through all her hardships and stressful times. She felt His presence when she helped others, in the times of prison and camps, and even when friends and family passed away. No matter what, He was and is there. He will take you in when you are down or need help getting up again; He is your hiding place.

Ever since the first Jew came through the door asking for help, the Boom family devoted their lives to helping people who needed it. Corrie ten Boom and her family felt God urging them to do something about the cruelty swirling around them. “My job was simply to follow His leading one step at a time,” (Boom, 81) stated Corrie. God helped Corrie move Jews to safety, assist the Underground, and obey His commands. One day, the Gestapo burst into the Boom’s watch shop. They searched the house, looking for the Jews they knew were there. Commanding Corrie to tell them, they beat her and her family. Although Corrie knew what the consequences could be, she did not give in. God gave Corrie strength to help others, even through the pain and hurt.

Because of her family’s resistance, Corrie and her family were sent into prison. Corrie was ill with influenza, and her cell mates were not much help. Because of her illness, she was moved to another cell, but this cell had nobody to keep her company. Boredom, loneliness, and heartache for loved ones filled her heart during the long days of prison. If it were not for God and the gospels, she may not have had the strength to go on. She was next sent to two concentration camps. Roll call was painful, work hours long, and fleas and lice roamed the camp; but even through this, she and her sister shared the gospel with countless people, and what used to be people full of cursing turned into people full of love. Corrie commented on the change in The Hiding Place, “ Where before this had been the moment for scuffles and cursing, tonight the huge dormitory buzzed with ‘Sorry!’, ‘Excuse me!’ ,and ‘No harm done!’” (Boom, 187). Even though life was tiresome for her, she still changed lives around her. Through all this, Corrie stood strong with God, and He did not let her fall.

In addition to her struggle to stay alive, Corrie had to cope with the pain of losing loved ones. Her first sorrow awaited her in prison. She received a letter notifying her of her father’s death. Although tearful, she realized that he did not have to go through any more sickness, pain, or loneliness like she did. Later, Betsie, terribly sick, died in the camp hospital. Corrie looked at where Betsie lay, and saw the most beautiful Betsie she had ever seen. Seeing the peaceful expression on Betsie’s face, she knew she did not need to be sorrowful at all. “There lay Betsie, her eyes closed as if in sleep, her face full and young. The care lines, the grief lines, the deep hollows of hunger and disease were simply gone. In front of me was the Betsie of Haarlem, happy and at peace. Stronger! Freer! This was the Betsie of heaven.” (Boom, 198) Even after Corrie was released, she learned of others who had passed away. Thankfully, she had Christ, and He helped her through the pain. If Corrie did not have Jesus in her life, she may not have made it through all the grief around her. Because she held on to Him through her troubles and griefs, she survived all the trials she faced.
As seen through Corrie’s story, her real strength was Jesus. If it were not for Him, she likely would have lost all hope. Not only did God give her strength, He spoke through Corrie to others around her. Because of Jesus living in her, many of her roommates, friends, and even a Lieutenant turned to Christ. Years after Corrie had been released from camp, she discovered she was not supposed to be released at all. The records proved there was a mistake, and that she should have been sent to the gas chambers. If God had not protected Corrie from death, we would not hear of her story today. Let this story prove to you that Jesus is our Hiding Place.