I just finished reading Corrie ten Boon's "The Hiding Place." My thoughts on the book in one word? Inspiring. Amazing. Encouraging. Okay, so maybe that was three words but you get the point. Corrie's family was an incredible christian family living in Holland during the time of World War 2. She is the daughter of a faithful watchmaker who is well respected in their town and many times "forgets" to send the bill. Their family loves the Lord and begins and ends every day with scripture.
One of the many things that stuck out to me about Corrie was that she was single her entire life. When she was younger, she fell in love with a man who couldn't marry her because her social class was not high enough for his family to approve. Corrie was at her sisters wedding, in her late thirties, and finally realizes and accepts the fact that she is never going to marry. She is going to stay at home with her father and ill sister for the rest of her life. She continues to say that this was not a sad thought, but a happy one. Her whole attitude towards the single life is positive.
I began to wonder why and how Corrie could live a fulfilling life barely ever consumed with the thought of a life of celebicy. But then I realized that she was never concerned about a relationship with a man because of the immense love and time she put into her relationship with her Savior. I recall reading somewhere, I think it was in the Confessions of St. Augustine, about how we don't need to have a spouse. We should be able to live in a relationship with God that our love is so wide and so deep that we don't even desire to have the physical need of a spouse met. Maybe this is what Paul was talking about when he says that we are better of to live single. I don't know for sure, but I do know that I was so inspired by Corries attitude and how well it fit in with my recent vow of singleness. =)
Corrie and Betsie, both in their fifties, end up in a women's concentration camp in Germany for hiding Jews in their home and being a part of an underground mission to save the Jews. For one, I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to live in those conditions. And second, to have the ever increasing amounts of faith these two women had. Never once did they become bitter towards God. In ever situation they looked to Him for the answers and the leading. There is too many examples to even share with you! The book is filled with God meeting the needs of His people and answering their prayers.
It is interesting because just the other day Kaylin and I were talking about prayer. We both admitted that we don't spend much time at all in prayer or in specific prayer. There is a huge difference between general prayer and specific. So often we settle for the generic "Thank you for this day" prayer and move on with our day. Corrie and Betsie asked God specifically for help in each situation. After our talk about prayer, we decided we were going to work on it. Just last night, she told me of how she was interceding for her brother and asking God to help him to open up and talk to her about life. Sure enough, yesterday, her brother came to her (which is totally out of character) and shared his heart. God is good isn't he?? Why is my faith so small that I think that I can change things on my own?
God, my prayer is that you would increase my faith tenfold. I claim the promise that says "Ask and it will be given to you, knock and the door will be opened." Through this book, you have shown me of your wonders. They are not limited to history. They can and will happen today if I rely on you, oh Lord. Forgive my doubting and skeptical nature. Soften my heart to be more aware of you and your presence in my life. Thank you for the witness that Corrie and Betsie ten Boon have been through their book. Continue Lord, to keep me in awe. Amen
One of the many things that stuck out to me about Corrie was that she was single her entire life. When she was younger, she fell in love with a man who couldn't marry her because her social class was not high enough for his family to approve. Corrie was at her sisters wedding, in her late thirties, and finally realizes and accepts the fact that she is never going to marry. She is going to stay at home with her father and ill sister for the rest of her life. She continues to say that this was not a sad thought, but a happy one. Her whole attitude towards the single life is positive.
I began to wonder why and how Corrie could live a fulfilling life barely ever consumed with the thought of a life of celebicy. But then I realized that she was never concerned about a relationship with a man because of the immense love and time she put into her relationship with her Savior. I recall reading somewhere, I think it was in the Confessions of St. Augustine, about how we don't need to have a spouse. We should be able to live in a relationship with God that our love is so wide and so deep that we don't even desire to have the physical need of a spouse met. Maybe this is what Paul was talking about when he says that we are better of to live single. I don't know for sure, but I do know that I was so inspired by Corries attitude and how well it fit in with my recent vow of singleness. =)
Corrie and Betsie, both in their fifties, end up in a women's concentration camp in Germany for hiding Jews in their home and being a part of an underground mission to save the Jews. For one, I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to live in those conditions. And second, to have the ever increasing amounts of faith these two women had. Never once did they become bitter towards God. In ever situation they looked to Him for the answers and the leading. There is too many examples to even share with you! The book is filled with God meeting the needs of His people and answering their prayers.
It is interesting because just the other day Kaylin and I were talking about prayer. We both admitted that we don't spend much time at all in prayer or in specific prayer. There is a huge difference between general prayer and specific. So often we settle for the generic "Thank you for this day" prayer and move on with our day. Corrie and Betsie asked God specifically for help in each situation. After our talk about prayer, we decided we were going to work on it. Just last night, she told me of how she was interceding for her brother and asking God to help him to open up and talk to her about life. Sure enough, yesterday, her brother came to her (which is totally out of character) and shared his heart. God is good isn't he?? Why is my faith so small that I think that I can change things on my own?
God, my prayer is that you would increase my faith tenfold. I claim the promise that says "Ask and it will be given to you, knock and the door will be opened." Through this book, you have shown me of your wonders. They are not limited to history. They can and will happen today if I rely on you, oh Lord. Forgive my doubting and skeptical nature. Soften my heart to be more aware of you and your presence in my life. Thank you for the witness that Corrie and Betsie ten Boon have been through their book. Continue Lord, to keep me in awe. Amen
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