"The Hiding Place" discussion

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom is one of the most inspirational and life changing books I have ever read. I have added this to one of my all time favorite books. I have had a difficult time deciding what to focus the discussion on because this book if full of many different themes and topics of discussion. I’ve decided to take the “how-to’s we learned from Corrie” given in the preface. These “how-to’s” are:

1. Handling separation
2. Getting along with less
3. Security in the midst of insecurity
4. Forgiveness
5. How God can use weakness
6. Facing death
7. Dealing with difficult people
8. How to love your enemies
9. What to do when evil wins


Below are a few of my thoughts and feelings about the book as related to the above topics. Feel free to add your feelings about these topics or any others you’d like.

I was especially touched by Corrie’s parents and Betsie’s love for others. Father and mother continually took care of the poor, the needy, and those with poor health. Here Corrie’s mother was very ill but she continued to serve others. Corrie said her mother didn’t even realize that she herself was “shut-in” most of her life. It seems that mother coped with her illness by serving others. What a great lesson to learn. By forgetting about herself she was able to reach out and care for so many. Corrie’s Father was the same way. Their home was a haven of comfort and security for so many. When the time came for the ten Boom’s to take Jews into their home they did not hesitate. They had always been a loving and accepting family. Earlier in the book Corrie says this of her father, ‘Young and old, poor and rich, scholarly gentleman and illiterate servant girls-only to Father did it seem that they were all alike. That was Father’s secret; not that he overlooked the differences in people; that he didn’t know they were there.” What a way to live. He understood so well the teaching that in God’s eye’s we are all the same.
Betsie, in my eye’s, seems to understand so well the meaning of charity. She loved others unconditionally. Several times in the book Betsie prays for her enemies. It actually seems like Betsie didn’t have enemies. For example, Jan Vogel had betrayed so many yet Betsie felt no anger against him. A passage in the book reads, ‘“Betsie, don’t you feel anything about Jan Vogel? Doesn’t it bother you?’ ‘Oh yes, Corrie! Terribly! I’ve felt for him ever since I knew-and pray for him whenever his name comes into my mind. How dreadfully he must be suffering!’” Betsie looked at the world in such a different way then others. She continually found ways to show and express love. She recognized the good in others and never was quick to judge.

Next, I was touched by Betsie’s and Corrie’s attitude while in prison. They truly found security in the midst of insecurity. Their greatest source of strength came from the Bible. They knew they needed to read the word of God to sustain them in their time of adversity. They were willing to risk there own lives to have His word. They understood well that Christ has suffered even more then they had. They knew that Christ would lift their burdens if they turned to him. I especially love how they shared their Christian beliefs with others. That made all the difference. The attitude in the quarters changed once Corrie and Betsie arrived. Betsie used the teachings of the Bible in every situation. I was touched by the way she “Gave thanks in all circumstances.” Even the fleas were a blessing and Betsie gave thanks.

I could go on and on but I won’t. I would like to end with this quote from Corrie;

“…this is what the past if for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”

I was reminded while reading this book that every experience in life has meaning. We don’t need to fear the future because God will prepare us and prepare a way for what lies ahead.