"Today I know that such memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.
I know that the experiences of our lives when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do."
As I read this quote recently, I paused to think of the wonderful and sometimes difficult memories that I have of days gone by and wonder how God will use my life my experiences from the past to do his work in days to come.
The Hiding Place begins on such a celebratory note. They could not have imagined on the day that the Clock shop turned 100 years old that things would begin to change for them in terrible ways. The ten Boom family were a Dutch Christian family that helped Jews escape from the Nazi Holocaust of WWII.
What amazes me is how beautiful Corrie and Betsie remained in their faith with the Lord. Though they lived through incredibly difficult, painful experiences in the concentration camp, they were rich in wisdom and kind throughout their days. God used them in ways they couldn't have ever imagined. After all these years, the wisdom of those two dear souls continues to challenge and encourage many people.
Whatever you are experiencing today, be rest assured that God uses all our experiences, both good and difficult for greater purposes and good, beyond anything we could imagine.
Psalm 119:114
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
Thank you, Lovella. Corrie and Betsy ten Boom are amazing examples to learn from. I think
ReplyDeleteI may have to re-read that book sometime. I wonder what kind of experiences prepared them for what they went through and how prepared we are for such a time that may come?
My favorite Betsy quote is "Tell them - There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still.. Tell them...they will believe it ... for we were here and lived it"
ReplyDeleteI too wonder what the Lord is preparing in me. Am I using my experiences the way I should? Am I prepared? Thank you for this "bread" Lovella. I know this book is in our church library and I should read it sometime.
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