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Thank you for the Fleas

You may have heard an iteration of this story, based on who or what publication offered it, but it stopped me when I heard it. And it made me think about my personal journey of thankfulness.

Corrie ten Boom, if you haven’t heard about her life, you must look her up. She was a true ambassador of the Gospel and an example of a life lived for the glory of God. But she had to learn some lessons along the way, that have proved to be an inspiration for all of us.

As her story goes (for review if you know it,) Corrie and her family were put in a concentration camp during WWII for assisting the Jews who were hiding from the Nazis.

Now, I can’t even imagine the challenges and daily horrors of being in a place like that. This story came about as Corrie was complaining about an infestation of fleas in their bunk house. Her sister, Betsy, told her that she should be “thankful for the fleas” because God sent them for a reason. Pushing through the horrible (and uncomfortable) situation, the girls offered a Bible study for the rest of the camp, and they would congregate in their building.

As time went on, they were never interrupted or stopped. It became obvious that the guards (or they learned later) would not enter or check their building because of the fleas!

According to Corrie’s story, Betsy ten Boom quoted I Thessalonians 5:18 to her; In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Corry said she could never thank God for fleas, yet, as it turned out, many women in the camp were led to Christ through their secret Bible study.

So, what are your fleas? I know there have been several things in my life that I could not see myself giving thanks for, and I have seen and experienced some sad and completely unrecoverable things, should I give thanks for these things?

I will, with God’s help, endeavor to give thanks even when it’s difficult. I know God has a plan for me; His plan is much higher than I can even imagine.

If Corrie and her sister could give thanks in a concentration camp, I think God’s got this, whatever comes our way…

Patti McDonald, Professional Mom