The Hiding Place

I love to read. One of the many things I enjoy about the adoption yahoo groups and blogs that I have been following the past year or so is the reading lists. I keep my own list of the books I read about that I would like to read. I have just finished Corrie ten Boom's "The Hiding Place". There are many extraordinary things in Corrie's tale about surviving WWII in Holland. I love to open my eyes to the struggles of the world both now and in the past. It gives me such an appreciation for how truly blessed we are. I checked this particular book out at the library and the version I received has a section at the end titled, "Three Ways to Put This Book to Work in Your Own Life". I would like to summarize this section.

(1) God governs all things, even those that appear to us senseless or cruel.

Like waiting to pick up our angel, like watching a 3 year old suffer from cancer, like war, and on and on. One by one, transfer your worries from your own care to God's "Lord, because I do not have the answers to these things I do not therefore conclude that there are no answers. You know why, Lord, and when I am strong enough-wise enough, loving enough-you will show me, too." Amazing to think that we may not be ready for the "whole story", but God in His wisdom knows when the perfect time is.

(2) God supplies grace for present need.

Don't run ahead of God's supply of grace and strength. Don't "borrow trouble". Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." And verse 27, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life." This is especially good for me to remember when I have two children on the other side of the world/equator.

(3) God wills us to give thanks.

Now, not when every issue is resolved. "Our praise and gratitude in some mysterious way open the door for Him to bless us as He wishes." Think about some issues that you are most definitely NOT thankful for. Now set yourself the discipline of giving thanks daily for these things as well. See how God is able to use your changed attitude to change facts. For Corrie, it was fleas in her bunk in the concentration camp. Yuck! What possible good could come from that? She found out that the guards avoided their room for this very reason allowing them freedom to share the gospel!

Our God is amazing!!