By: Gabriela Yareliz
I think it’s in moments of transition and decision, and moments of complete uncertainty and darkness, that you see people seeking for peace and guidance the most. It’s part of the human condition. We all do it, and we all seek for these things in different places. Oftentimes, we show up at empty wells hoping to find water.
I love people’s stories. Learning from others, saves us from a lot of heartache, and it can give us ideas as to which path to take or how to approach a situation. This is why biographies are amazing. Nothing beats a true story. Nothing is more intriguing than a true victory.
Today, as part of some autumn inspiration, I thought we could look at some words spoken by a very wise woman who had some incredible victories in her life; a woman who faced a Nazi soldier, years after suffering in his hands during the Holocaust; a woman who not only faced the man, but who offered her forgiveness. We often get so angry and annoyed at petty things in life (first-world problems, anyone?). Yet, this woman, in her simplicity and inner struggle did something supernatural– something that does not come easily to us because of our plain human nature. Her life illustrates how we all struggle and have anger, resentment, emotions and desires that are completely justifiable–yet, if we allow and ask God to let His goodness be found in us, He will put His love and grace in our hearts. When we forgive and when we love, we allow God’s goodness and mercy to shine in the world.
Corrie Ten Boom was a Dutch woman who is known for her writing about her experiences after ending up in a concentration camp after hiding Jewish brothers and sisters during the Holocaust. She also dedicated herself to other charitable works such as helping the mentally disabled and abandoned children. She was a woman who loved, suffered and knew the true meaning of forgiveness. And while she never married, her life was filled with love for those around her. The amazing thing about love is that it keeps reaching out, even after we are gone, because love is eternal. Love does not fail.
She has written several books and published some journals. Below are some snippets of her wisdom. I call it wisdom, because intelligence is one thing, but wisdom comes from God.
I hope you find words that make you reflect on peace, on trusting that hand of God that guides you with loving kindness like a parent does with his or her child. May we all choose to love in a way that keeps reaching, enduring and sustaining.
“Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.”
“Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.”
“God’s viewpoint is sometimes different from ours…In the Bible, I learn that God values us not for our strength or our brains but simply because He has made us.”
“Do you know what hurts so very much? It’s love. Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill that love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel.”
“There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.”
“In darkness God’s truth shines most clear.”
“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”
GABRIELA YARELIZ 