“In Holland during
World War II, the Casper ten Boom family used their home
as a hiding place for those hunted by the Nazis. This was their way of living
out their Christian faith. Four members of the family lost
their lives for providing this refuge. Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie
spent horrific months in the infamous Ravensbrück concentration camp. Betsie
died there—Corrie survived.
“In Ravensbrück,
Corrie and Betsie learned that God helps us to forgive. Following the war,
Corrie was determined to share this message. On one occasion, she had just
spoken to a group of people in Germany suffering from the ravages of war. Her
message was ‘God forgives.’ It was then that Corrie ten Boom’s faithfulness
brought forth its blessing.
“A man approached her.
She recognized him as one of the cruelest guards in the camp. ‘You mentioned
Ravensbrück in your talk,’ he said. ‘I was a guard there. … But since that
time, … I have become a Christian.’ He explained that he had sought God’s forgiveness for
the cruel things he had done. He extended his hand and asked, ‘Will you forgive
me?’
“Corrie ten Boom then
said:
“‘It could not have
been many seconds that he stood there—hand held out—but to me it seemed hours
as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do.
“‘… The message
that God forgives has a … condition: that we forgive those who have injured
us. …
“… ‘Help me!’ I
prayed silently. ‘I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the
feeling.’
“‘… Woodenly,
mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. As I did, an
incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my
arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood
my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.
“‘I forgive you, brother!’
I cried. ‘With all my heart.’
“For a long moment we
grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had
never known God’s love so intensely, as I did then.’ [Corrie ten Boom, Tramp
for the Lord (1974), 54–55.]” (Keith B. McMullin, “Our Path of
Duty,” Ensign or Liahona, May
2010, 13).
