Monday, July 12, 2010

Are we ever truly thankful?

The other night I was up late channel surfing when I should of been sleeping, but I stumbled across The Diary of Anne Frank with Melissa Gilbert (ya know from Little House on the Prairie- she was in everything in the early 80s). I had read the book as a teen and watched a different version of the movie.
Even late at night while half asleep - God spoke to my heart.
For anyone not remembering, Anne was a young teen girl hiding in an attic with her parents and older sister to escape being captured by the Germans during WWII.

After 2.5 years, they were captured. At the end of the movie, Anne's father, the only one who escaped death was speaking with the man who had helped to hide them, about the demise of his beloved wife and daughters. When the father spoke of Anne, he said it took a long time, but he found a woman who was in the concentration camp with Anne and she said, "Anne was so happy to be at the concentration camp, because she was able to be outside and no longer in the attic without fresh air and sun".

She was happy to be in the concentration camp!

During their hiding, they spoke about the camps- Anne knew what would happen to her, what happened there- the showers, the soldiers, the separation from your family....

But she remained thankful to be outside and able to enjoy God's goodness.

I could not get over this thought of Anne's.

I was struck with the chills and even wept at the thought of this young child not that older than my own, who would have such value on God's goodness.

I told the kids about it in an age appropriate way, surprised that my daughter already had an understanding about the Holocaust.

It has been in my mind daily, making trivial things just that, trivial. Not important.

Dear Lord,
I am not sure why the Holocaust had to happen, only knowing that bad things do happen and good can come from them. Please be with the survivors of this atrocity and let others learn from them.
Please help me to reflect on Anne's story, taking away with me the real meaning of thankfulness and not to complain, so I can walk this way in life, but more importantly in front of my children as an example to them.
Lord, allow my house to always be pleasing to you and let our actions speak your goodness.
Thank you for the freedom you lavish on us in the country and let us not waste it, but use it for your will.
In your name we pray,

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  1. Great post. Very moving indeed. You think in the Bible of Joseph and Daniel also both young when horrible things happened but they trusted in God's goodness. I try to meditate often on the first few verses in James.

  2. Oh, you've brought me to tears. What a beautiful, amazing post. Thank you so much for posting it. Happy day to you!

  3. Love it. My older kids read the book but not my youngest I think I will head to the library today to check it our for her. Wonderful prayer.

  4. Thank you for this beautiful message. Good thoughts to consider.

    Warmly, Michelle




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