The Hiding Place : Finished!

I just finished reading The Hiding Place. What a powerful story. Corrie ten Boom is certainly an inspiration and to think her sister Betsie was the one to often influence her. Makes me feel like I first need to focus on being more like Corrie, then Betsie and then on to Jesus on my road to leading a purpose driven life. Each and every page you expect someone to crack but through every horror they experienced including Betsie's death, they never once turned a cold shoulder to God and gave up on their faith. The only moment Corrie ever showed true fear is when she encountered her former captor when she was speaking in Germany. She found it very difficult to shake the hand of a man who was directly involved in what happened to her sister and she finally asked God to give her his forgiveness and she found more than just the strength to forgive in that act. The most moving part of the book for me was when Betsie and Corrie are in the camp working and Betsie is quite ill at this point. She is having trouble carrying loads of dirt on her shovel and carrying then as she is very weak. This is amusing for the guards and they laugh and make fun of her outwardly. Eventually, Betsie chimes right in and gives the old, "That's me all right" type of statement. I strive to be this faithful in God. That scene in my mind brought tears to my eyes. What a woman she must have been! I certainly recommend this book to all!!

~Al

The Hiding Place : Great Read

I forgot to mention before that I am also reading The Hiding Place. Ironically, Susan and I were chatting away as usual on the phone and she asked me if I had read this book. It just so happens that I bought it years ago in college when I was in a Holocaust class but opted to read another book instead for my project, The Bielski Brothers (also fantastic!). Anyway, I dug up my copy of The Hiding Place and began reading away as I also recalled a quote of Corrie Ten Boom's in Purpose Driven Life. I'm about halfway through and it's remarkable. Her way of thinking and her perspective as a result of being a Christian is extremely motivational. If you haven't read this pick it up!

~Al