Sardines

Psalm 32:7 -- "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

 

The Ten-Boom Hiding Place

There were times in my early adulthood that I was willing to bet that my grandparents had the patience of Job. Having housed a large family, Grandma's place was spacious enough to host my church singles group when we'd get together after services. We'd kiss my grandparents in greeting, raid the fridge, make coffee, and play a favorite game called Sardines.

It was more or less hide and seek - but instead of the "it" person searching for all the hiders in the house - he or she would go hide and all the other players would seek him/her. When a person found the "it" - they would hide along with them. One by one the players found the hiding spot and joined in, until eventually there was only one person left who hadn't found us all. That person was the next "it".

With a group of at least fifteen and often more - the game was SO MUCH FUN! If a really good hiding spot was found, we'd all be jammed in together like sardines [hence the name of the game], giggling in the dark, trying not too make so much noise that we'd give away our position. It was a great way to get to know one another and a hoot to boot. But I recall being so glad when the last person found us so we could all spill out and get a little breathing room. Depending on the hiding place, it could sure get cramped in a hurry.

How my grandparents graciously and consistently opened the door to all of us is beyond me. And I will be forever grateful that they did.

Several years before I joined the church single's group, my family had the opportunity to "back-pack" across Europe with long-time friends/fellow missionaries. Our two-family party of eight experienced some wonderful things on that trip as we galvanized our deep bonds of friendship. From the Louvre, to the old Colosseum in Rome - from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to Madame Tussauds wax museum - the adventures shared on this journey were truly once-in-a-lifetime.  

One thing sticks out above the rest, however. It was my first introduction to the bravery and courage of Corrie ten Boom and her amazing family.

During World War II, with deep conviction, Corrie and her family stood up against racism and mass genocide by hiding Jews and members of what was called the Dutch Underground from the Nazi party. At any given moment there would be up to seven people hiding in a crawl space behind a false wall in Corrie's bedroom. Some would stay for hours, while others were there for weeks until a safe haven could be found to house the refugees.

When we were taken to Corrie's hiding place by a knowledgeable tour guide, I was completely amazed by the tiny space. It was cramped, it was hot because there was no air conditioning and so many people, and I couldn't wait to get out of there. I just could not get my head around the idea that some people spend days, even weeks in such a tiny, tiny space. Ann Frank's family spent months in one.

On February 28, 1944 the ten Boom family was betrayed and the Gestapo raided the home above the corner shop at Barteljorisstraat 19, Harrlem, Holand. Setting up a trap, the Gestapo then arrested thirty people through out that single, fateful day. Laying in wait - they were certain that they would find the Jews they knew to be hiding inside.

The refugees in the tiny crawl space in Corrie's room were never found.  After 47 hours of nerve-racking darkness, they were liberated and secretly whisked away to safe houses in spite of the efforts put forth by the Gestapo.

Corrie's family was not so lucky, sadly. But her efforts and heart-ache experienced in the concentration camps were not in vain. It was estimated that the ten Boom family were able to save the lives of some 800 Jews and protected even more people who served the Dutch Underground.

Corrie was not content to leave it at that. During her years in prison she and her sister told countless others about the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Miraculously hiding a bible in her clothes as the was led into camp, Corrie shared God's Word in the middle of what could only be termed as hellish conditions. She was hidden in Christ Jesus just as she hid others.

If Corrie and countless numbers of God's Ancient People could be hidden during a horribly violent and bloody time, tucked safely away from harm - surly we can hide in Jesus, too - until we make it through whatever pain or turmoil we may face. But like Corrie, perhaps we should never take our eyes from the real goal. No matter what goes on around us, we are here to share the love of Jesus Christ.

I don't think anybody demonstrated that better than Corrie ten Boom.

                                  **visit corrietenboom.com and order a copy of the her book:**
                More Than A Hiding Place: The Life-Changing Experiences of Corrie ten Boom.