The Hiding Place

I have always loved reading, but never really been a big reader. Does that make sense? Well maybe not, but it's me. I love to walk around bookstores and select a stack of books that I just have to read. Then they just sit, or perhaps I get through a few chapters, but rarely finish a book. I have a long list of books that are kind of my "bucket list" of books so to speak, and I recently tackled one on that list. I've heard the story of Corrie Ten Boom ever since high school I guess, and have always wanted to read her story, but just never got around to it. Recently, in light of some personal challenges, I felt especially drawn to it at this time in my life. (No coincidence here by the way!) The older I get the more I am learning that books are brought to mind, suggested, or given to you for a reason, for a season in your life. So, I dusted off my library card and checked out, "The Hiding Place," (and had to actually wait for it!) If you have not read this book, please do! (I'd love to have someone to discuss it with!)

I'd like to share two lessons given to me through this book, that were so PERFECTLY applicable and on-time for my current situation.

1. "Give thanks in all circumstances"- from the scripture 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (check out verses 16 and 17 too, whoa!) She shares how God gave her this scripture, and how she is able to speak the things she is thankful for despite what is around her. Then later she is able to see how that very thing that was so hard to be thankful for ended up being a blessing. (Read the book and find out what I'm talking about! Hint: it falls in the critter category! Hehehe!)
Oh- one more thing on this, a couple of days later I received a card in the mail from my MOPS Mentor Mom, Mary Graham, and inside was a wooden cross with the same message! (Okay, God, I'm listening...)

2. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 She talks about a time where she felt the scriptures no longer speaking to her, her prayers had come mechanical. Then she read in her Bible about Paul speaking about having a thorn in his side. While the Bible doesn't tell us exactly what the thorn was, it does tell us that Paul asked God 3 times to remove it. God's answer is listed above. Simply stated, rely on me! So at that perfect time, when I SO needed to hear it, I learned that my struggles, just because I pray aren't always going to go away immediately. I need to rejoice in my weaknesses and truly RELY on God, so that He gets the glory, not so everyone can walk around saying, "Wow! That Katy is just so strong!"

It's amazing to me that a woman who was born in 1892 and has been gone since 1983 has a message that's so relevant to me, today. The reason is because she shared what God taught her through His Word. His Word is timeless.

I loved the book not just because of the lessons I learned, but of the beautiful story of family, love, forgiveness, ministry, compassion, and ultimate triumph over evil.

Again, I have to ask myself, what am I putting in my head? Is it worth my time? Does it make me a better person? Does it challenge me? Does it inspire me? Feed me? In this case, I answer all those questions with a resounding, "YES!"