Corrie ten Boom, Her Story
14. Used by God
ONCE I SLEPT ina hospital in a concentration camp. Many people were ill and many died. In the night, I heard people calling and I went to them. I was ill myself, but not so seriously that I couldn't do this—I went to everyone who called.
I saw much, much suffering and loneliness there.
It was in that concentration camp hospital that I experienced God's use of sick people to help others around them. You can feel so weak in illness and unable to do anything, but witnessing for the Lord Jesus is possible because it is really the Lord who witnesses in us and it causes us to relax. When we are channels of living water, then it is the Lord who tells us what to say, and He never makes a mistake.
Nobody was with these dying people, but I could tell all of them, "Jesus is here. Just put your hand in His hand." And many of them did. And then I saw peace coming into the hearts of these people. There is a little poem in Holland: Als wij de doodsvallei betreen, laat ons elke aardse vriend alleen, maar, Hij, de beste Vriend in nood, geleid ons over graf en dood.
When we enter the valley of the shadow of death, all our earthly friends leave us alone, but He, the best Friend in need, accompanies us through the grave and death.
JESUS IS VICTOR 3159)
Yes, even for people who are surrounded by friends and relatives, a moment comes when they have to turn to Jesus—the only One who can help them. But what a joy that He is there!
I saw a nurse who looked so worried and tired. Every time she passed my bed, a woman next to me smiled to her, and sometimes she said a kind word.
In the evening the nurse came to her and said, "Do you know that you have helped me? My day was full of disappointments, but your smile has encouraged me."
I learned an important lesson that evening.