Lessons from Corrie // Just in Time

I recently picked up my old copy of The Hiding Place and am re-reading it before our trip to The Netherlands in May. One of the places that we are wanting to visit while in Amsterdam is the ten Boom house in Haarlem. I wanted to refresh myself on the story and introduce Josh (who had never heard of Corrie ten Boom until recently) to the movie.

Being that  it has been several years since I have read the book or seen the movie, the story drew me in right away and it's been difficult to put it down. I love Corrie's descriptions of her family, home, the crazy aunts (how in the world did they ever agree to let them live there??), and especially the dear love she had for her father. It's quite apparent that her father, Casper, taught Corrie many valuable life lessons by simple, everyday illustrations.

This morning as I sat in my favorite room in the mornings to read and sip coffee, I read the account Corrie penned of her Father tucking her in bed. Corrie had had one of her first accounts with death that day and it frightened her to think of losing her mother, father, or Betsie. 

She writes, "At last we heard Father's footsteps winding up the stairs. It was the best moment in every day, when he came up to tuck us in. We never fell asleep until he had arranged the blankets in his special way and laid his hand for a moment on each head. Then we tried not to move even a toe. 

But that night as he stepped through the door I burst into tears. "I need you!" I sobbed. "You can't die! You can't!" 

Beside me on the bed Nollie sat up "We went to see Mrs. Hoog," she explained. "Corrie didn't eat her supper or anything." 

Father sat down on the edge of the narrow bed. "Corrie," he began gently, "when you and I go to Amsterdam - when do I give you your ticket?" 

I sniffed a few times, considering this. 

"Why, just before we get on the train." 

"Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things, too. Don't run out ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes when some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need - just in time." 

This was such a great reminder to me to trust everything in my Father's hands. He knows what I need - at just the right time. Some days I  fear death, especially losing those I love dearly, but like Corrie's father, Josh reminds me that God will give me grace during that time - but not before. God hasn't given us the grace for dark days yet but He will give us grace for when we need it the most. Future grace is a beautiful promise that we can grab hold of and take comfort in and it's always there...just in time.