A Hand Held Out

“Love your enemies, and pray for those who hurt you.” — from Matthew 5

When the war ended in May 1945, the Netherlands was free at last. Just a few weeks later, Corrie did something very brave. She wrote a letter to the man who, she had been told, had betrayed her family to the police. She told him that she forgave him, that she was praying for him, and that Jesus could make him new.

Corrie remembered the plans she had made with Betsie. She opened a home for people who came back from the war hurt and with nowhere to go. A few years later she even opened a home in Germany, for people there who had lost their homes.

Corrie told a story about a day in 1947 in Munich, Germany. After she spoke about God’s forgiveness, a man came up to her. She knew him: he had been a guard at Ravensbrück. He said he had become a Christian, and he held out his hand. Corrie found she could not take it. So she prayed silently and asked Jesus to help her. Then she held out her hand, and as they shook hands, she felt God’s love fill her heart. She could forgive him.

For more than thirty years Corrie travelled the world, speaking in more than sixty countries. Her story became a famous book and a film, and a tree was planted in her honour in Jerusalem. Everywhere she went, she told people that God’s love is stronger than the darkest place.

When she was very old, Corrie lived in California. She had strokes and could hardly speak for her last five years, and kind friends looked after her. She died on 15 April 1983. It was her ninety-first birthday.

Forgiving people who hurt us can be very hard. Corrie found that she could not do it on her own, but God gave her the love she needed. He will help you to forgive too, if you ask him.

Dear God, thank you for Corrie and Betsie ten Boom, and for all that you did through them. When I find it hard to forgive, please give me your love. Amen.