Corrie Ten Boom …
Those of us who know of her story feel the weight of our own struggles melt away, in the shadow of what she suffered.
Those of us who know of her story and who hold onto bitterness for the things that others have done to us, feel guilt for not forgiving knowing what she could forgive the awful atrocities she had endured … even the loss of her dear sister, Betsy.
Corrie Ten Boom …
- her family worked in the Netherlands to save many Jews running and hiding from the Nazi SS
- someone squealed on their good work
- Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp
- both sisters suffered terrible atrocities in the camp
- Betsie died
- Corrie lived
- Corrie came face to face with one of the guards, many years later
- she had to choose whether or not to forgive
Please take a moment to hear, in the words of Corrie Ten Boom, about forgiveness.
… but He can!
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This was a wonderful video Carole. What a challenge…to forgive as Christ forgives…much easier said than done!
Oh Carolyn, SO much easier to talk about forgiveness than to do it! But hearing someone such as Corrie talk about forgiving makes it so much more authentic. I so love the inspiration that she is! Carole
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Did she, herself, actually forgive? Or did she give him Gods forgiveness? And this man came to her and asked for forgiveness, he knew he was wrong. What would you do if those that wronged you did not think they had done wrong? This is where I struggle and where I hold anger against those in the church, those that should ‘know better’, those that have hurt my family!
Benita, I’m not sure who did the forgiving … I’m not sure if forgiving is ever something that we have the human capacity for … It is too difficult to do on our own, and when it involves forgiving someone who hurt our families … yikes! How can that be possible. For me, Benita, forgiveness is a high bar, one that seems out of reach … sometimes out of view … but still, because God forgave, it is to be aimed for, to be attempted, maybe even to haunt us as a niggling that won’t go away. I wish I could say I’ve mastered it … not even close (and when my kids are involved it seems impossible, even undesirable). A few months ago the song “Forgiveness” by Matthew West was stalking my conscious … it took weeks of God ensuring I’d hear it daily before checking out the lyrics! We’re still in process, Benita, not there yet! Carole
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