A TRUE TREASURE

You read a good book and it startles you with its profound truths. Through the eyes of her assistant, we learn more about Corrie ten Boom of The Hiding Place.  We find the secret to her strength: “You cannot do it but God can do it through you.” We also discover how Ellen de Kroon Stamps was impacted while serving as Corrie’s personal assistant for nine years. With a look behind the scenes, she shares the treasured truths she learned  while she accompanied this famous woman of God; like learning to trust God, listening for God’s still small voice, and seeing God as Victor.

Corrie and Ellen called themselves, ‘Tramps for the Lord.’ Ellen was a fairly new Christian and nurse by profession when her adventure as helper to Corrie began. She soon realized this was all of God’s doing. The two women traveled around the globe, even into communist countries, where, as always, they depended on God for guidance. Their missionary ministry support came through Corrie ten Boom’s books and the financial giving of God’s people.

This book spoke to me in various ways, possibly because of my interest in serving–using the same words as her’s–with ‘God on the throne.’ I found this book on my mother’s bookshelf after she passed. My mother had given it to her mother, Christmas, 1978, the same year it was published. I saw penciled underlinings that must be my grandmother’s, which showed me what touched her. This blessed me. Ellen also shares her personal story throughout. I’ll conclude with a prayer she prayed during all her traveling days with Corrie: “Lord, prepare me for that which You have planned for me.“

A BOOK OF BOOKS. First of all, I couldn’t put this book down. The content is interesting, enlightening, and charitable. Although the book is a personal account, spiritual in nature — into Mormonism; serving in different capacities in the church and university, they as a family were all in; then exiting out of Mormonism — her experiences are well expressed. Unveiling Grace communicates some of the angst that goes with a major disruption like this. Those of us who never have been part of the Mormon belief system are just, plain curious. We’ve heard things, and wondered things, and have concluded things about Mormons. As a person of faith along the lines of Lynn Wilder’s now beliefs in saving faith through Jesus Christ, I read with vivid interest how her son’s life changed first, and later the rest of the family. God works in mysterious ways. He draws people. When they see it, experience it, and then live it, life in Christ amazes. That’s what you read here. I appreciate that this isn’t an angry account or bitter about the past. All I can say is she’s a brave woman to put it out there. It couldn’t have been easy. To Lynn Wilder: Thank you for sharing your and your family’s story.