"Thank you God for the Fleas"
The Gratitude of Betsie and Corrie Ten Boom
“Betsie, how can we live in such a place?”
That was the question Corrie ten Boom asked her sister as they arrived in their dormitory at Ravensbrück Concentration Camp. The moment they walked through the door their noses were overwhelmed by the stench of soiled bedding.
They climbed into a bunk bed for the two of them. It was then Corrie felt the first nip on her leg. The straw on the bed was swarming with fleas. No wonder Corrie asked how can she was meant to live in this way.
Perhaps you have asked that same question in a different form. “How can I live like this?”
Maybe the money is running out. Maybe a relationship has fallen apart. Maybe you have to care for someone in the depths of suffering. You wonder “How can I go on?”
Well let’s return to Corrie and Betsy. If they could survive Ravensbrück, maybe there’s hope for you and I too.
Betsy encouraged Corrie to open the Bible they had managed to smuggle in. You see Betsy and Corrie were Dutch Christians who had risked everything to keep Jews safe. One of the small blessings was this small Bible which they read every day.
The Bible reading for the day was from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18:
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
“That’s it!” Betsy cried. “Give thanks in all circumstances… We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about this new barracks!”
Reluctantly, Corrie agreed. They thanked God for the Bible. For the crowded rooms, which meant more women would hear.
Then Betsy thanked God for the fleas. Corrie objected, but Betsy responded “Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.”
Soon they’d see why they should be grateful for the fleas.
Can you “Give thanks in all circumstances”?
You can’t say you’ve nothing to give thanks for. Whatever your situation it isn’t as bad as Corrie and Betsy’s.
Are there any ways you can see God at work? Whatever you can think of, small as they may be, give thanks for them.
And don’t forget to give thanks for the fleas. The fleas were the things that Corrie hated the most but as Betsy pointed out they were something to give thanks for.
What are the fleas in your situation? Do you dare to thank God for your difficult child? Or for the battle with depression? Or the terrifying surgery you face?
How do I dare say that? Well look at what God did with Betsy and Corrie…
In the weeks to come, the crowded dormitory was a blessing. The women on camp met there regularly. Scriptures were read. Hymns were sung. Betsy and Corrie couldn't understand why guards never closed it down.
One day, Betsy asked a guard to come into the hut on another matter. She refused. Why?
Because the hut was riddled with fleas.
She waited with a twinkle in her eye to share this news with her sister. God had put the sisters in a flea-infested hut to keep the guard away. She had been right to give thanks all along!
What are the fleas for you? What is the thing you are desperate to get rid of?
Perhaps you should thank God for the fleas. Perhaps one day God will give you the chance to see why he had placed you there all along.
If you want to read more about Corrie and Betsy’s story, check out “The Hiding Place”. I listened to it on audiobook, which I’d also highly recommend.
Beautiful story and great point! Thank you for sharing it.