Pinecones and Roses

Saturday, May 21, 2011

A Book That Changed My Life

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. 
That book changed my life. 
I was a Christian before that - I thought! 
It was 1973. My idea of God before that was vague and truthfully, I really couldn't see how He could be every place at once.  I was working with a girl and told her about some of the personal problems I was having.  She brought me that book and said "read this".   I read into it a ways and decided it was depressing and who wanted to read about concentration camps.  I knew about them and they were awful but I didn't want to read about them.  I brought it back to her.  "Did you read it?"  "Well, kinda" I said.  ""You didn't read it - take it back and read it Diane."  So I did - I read and read and finished the book.  I read about Corrie in the concentration camp and how she was stripped naked in a line of other people just like her, but she had her little Bible on a string around her neck.  She knew it would be sure death when she got to the guard and he saw the Bible.  But he motioned her on through never seeing the Bible.  I read about Corrie reading the Bible in a single shaft of light in her cell, standing up on her cot to take advantage of the last light.  That was just a couple incidents in an entire book of her life in the concentration camp and how God was with her. 
After that book my girls and I had a rough time.  My first marriage ended in tragedy.  But I always knew that just like Corrie ten Boom God was with me, He was real, He was as close as my breath.  And I still do. 

9 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Very powerful book, Diane. I have a copy of it also--and have read and studied it several times...

Aren't we glad that we have God in our lives--through thick and thin?
Hugs,
Betsy

Ruth Hiebert said...

This girl who gave you the book to read is a real friend.God really is with us every day and in everything.Without Him I could not go on.I pray that today will be a wonderful day for you,dear friend.

polkadotpeticoat said...

I loved that story....what faith!

June said...

To read this post this morning is a blessing in my life Diane. I love those book that when we read them, we are never the same again.
sending hugs...

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Just what you needed at just the right time. And a true friend to know you needed a push to get through it. Hope you are having a wonderful day. Tammy

Pondside said...

The friend who insisted you finish the book was as much a blessing as the words that have buoyed you all these years. I know the story, but have never read the book - I've seen interviews about it, and read reviews, but I think it's time I read it.

mudderbear said...

How wonderful...that's awesome. I love hearing your story. We all need testimony from each other to make our own stronger.
Bless you...

Angela said...

God is so good! What would we do if He wasn't always with us?
You make me want to go back and read the book again. That's about the same time I read it also.

Miss Gracie's House said...

Yes, this book is profound...and life-changing...God's grace is enough.
Rene