Corrie

Corrie
Monday, July 11, 2016 by Cathy Everitt

I wanted to visit Corrie ten Boom’s home, now a museum in Haarlem, near Amsterdam. I thought I knew all my reasons: Her courage to save hundreds of Jewish neighbors from concentration camps. Her faith. Her messages of forgiveness, hope, and trust in God. Surviving confinement in a horrible prison camp herself, she told us there is no pit so deep that the love of Jesus is not deeper still.

When I stepped into the secret hiding place built into Corrie’s tiny bedroom in the tiny house, my tears poured out, unstoppable. During World War II, when Nazis banged on the door downstairs, entire families hid in this space, about the size of a bathtub. Often, they remained cramped in there for hours or days at a time. I thought I cried my tears just for them.

The tears, though, also came from fear I could never have the faith and courage of Corrie and her family. Would I endanger my own life and those of my loved ones for the sake of less-treasured neighbors? Can I love my neighbor as myself? I assumed I cannot. Not like this, not the way Corrie did.

During worship yesterday, the Lord assured me He can do all the assigned-from-Him loving, serving, and sacrificing through me. I cannot, but He can. He can use me to point us to the only eternal Hiding Place. His name is Jesus, and He has room for us all.

If our pit came from politics, fear, criminals, illness, or loved ones, His love is still deeper. He wrote us a long love letter to help us know Him. It’s called the Bible. Give it a try. You might begin with the book of John, or Jeremiah 33:33 (His private “hotline"), or Jeremiah 29:11-14. We don’t have to huddle in a tiny space the size of a bathtub. We can live free and full. Full of Him.

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Comments

Annette Hengge From PCB At 3/12/2022 9:26:43 PM

Your beautiful comment brought peace to my heart.

Annette Hengge From PCB At 3/11/2022 2:30:10 PM

Thank you, Cathy, you put our feelings into words. Could we please just forget this political drama and just let everyone live peacefully.

Reply by: Cathy Everitt

As with all behaviors, it’s a heart issue. Only Jesus can change a heart, so, as in all things, He is our only Hope. Fortunately, for His children, He lives inside us, closer than our breath. Of whom or what shall we be afraid? God bless you, Annette.

Dorothy O’Shields From Lynn Haven At 12/16/2020 12:17:40 PM

You have such a pure, loving heart! Thank you for your transparency & your daily “wonder” at many things we miss! Bless you, Cathy

Reply by: Cathy Everitt

Oh, Dorothy O’Shields, how I pray your sweet words may someday be true. Jesus knows how far my heart is from being like His pure and loving heart, but He never gives up on us and can sometimes shine through us. Have a wonderful holiday season. Thank you so much for your kind and loving words!

Christine From Cork, Ireland At 12/2/2017 11:31:13 AM

You are a treasure Cathy Everitt! And this is just beautiful. Had me in tears too; the good kind, of course. Mwah! Feel yourself squeezed. X

Reply by: Cathy Everitt

Thank you,Christine Eckersley. I can't wait to get together with you in just a few short months. Remind me to tell you how I think of you every time I reread Psalm 107.