I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and I have a lesson to you today from Corrie ten Boom.
There may be someone listening to my voice who may not remember the life and ministry of Corrie ten Boom. She was the Dutch woman whose family, during World War II, was thrown into Nazi concentration camps for concealing Jews in their home. It was amazing that Corrie did not die in that concentration camp -- other members of her family did though. But she was released through the miracle of a clerical error. I got to know Corrie when I wrote my first book, and then, Billy Graham's film company produced both her movie, The Hiding Place, and the movie about my life called Joni.
I learned many lessons, not only by watching Tante Corrie (I used to call her), but by reading her books. What I especially find myself turning to even now, years later, is the book called "The Five Silent Years of Corrie ten Boom." She didn’t actually write it -- those are the years Corrie experienced what it was like to be disabled. Her longtime friend and attendant, Pam Rosewell, actually wrote the book. She lived with Corrie after Corrie suffered several debilitating strokes. I was blessed to have the chance to visit Corrie and Pam several times in their home in Orange County – my friends and I taught Pam a couple of disability tips, like how to transfer Tante Corrie out of her bed and into a wheelchair. It was very hard for Corrie ten Boom in those days shortly before she died.
But years later, in her book, Pam reflected on those difficult times. She wrote, "We became more sensitive to watch for God's handiwork in this suffering, wondering how this seemingly endless situation was going to work out in conformity with His nature of goodness and love. We thought of Tante Corrie's attitude. It was saying to us that although she did not like to suffer, seeing it had come to her, she was not going to fight it. She was accepting it, believing that somehow He was going to turn it into freedom and glory in His time. Could it be that this mysterious time in her life was not only for her sake, but for the sake of the people immediately around her and of those to whom she was reaching out?"
It’s been almost two decades since Corrie ten Boom went to heaven and now I am facing difficult times with my disability as I get older. In fact, yesterday I read that paragraph from Pam’s book and, oh, did it help! I’ve got to remember not to fight all these painful changes. I’ve got to accept and embrace what the Lord is doing, even as Tante Corrie did. I want to believe – I must believe – that the Lord will turn it into freedom and glory in His time. Because who knows? Maybe this mysterious season of challenge in my own life is not just for my sake, but for the sake of people immediately around me, like the people who help me, or the people I work with? Maybe all this is happening so others might draw courage from Christ.
I think it was Dr. Piper who once said that in any given situation, God is doing a thousand things we’d never imagine. It certainly was true in the life of Corrie ten Boom, especially in her latter years when she thought her influence had waned. No way! And sometimes when I work from my bed, I’m tempted to feel the same. Maybe you are going through a challenging season, feeling hidden away and out of action. Well, consider what I’ve come to realize of late. This season of challenge may not be for your sake alone, as much as for the sake of your neighbors, your family, the people in your church, your coworkers, any number of people. God is doing a thousand different things so remember, Titus 2:7, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good…”
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
© Joni and Friends