Giving Thanks in All Circumstances (though not necessarily FOR all circumstances)

Corrie and Betsie ten Boom were Dutch Christians who helped harbor Jews from the Nazis in Holland during World War 2. After the sisters were arrested for doing so, they were imprisoned at Ravensbruck, a German concentration camp.

When they were first moved to a large barracks, Betsie told Corrie they were to “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 These 5:18) like they had read in the Bible that they’d smuggled into the camp. Corrie resisted, but grudgingly gave in after Betsie gave thanks for things like being assigned to the same barracks together. When Betsie gave thanks for the multitude of fleas in the barracks, Corrie just scoffed and said she’d never give thanks for fleas.

Many weeks later, they noticed how they had more freedom than other barracks to talk to other prisoners and build friendships. When Betsie figured out why, she immediately told Corrie:

“You know we’ve never understood why we had so much freedom in the big room,” Betsie said, referring to the part of the barracks where the sleeping platforms were. “Well—I’ve found out. This afternoon there was confusion in my knitting group about sock sizes, so we asked the supervisor to come and settle it. But she wouldn’t. She wouldn’t step through the door and neither would the guards. And you know why?” Betsie could not keep the triumph from her voice as she exclaimed, “Because of the fleas! That’s what she said: ‘That place is crawling with fleas!’ ”*

Corrie realized that just maybe it was healthy to give thanks for fleas.

This does not mean to give thanks for injustices, oppression, death or violence - but perhaps there are some fleas in your life that you are invited to give thanks for even though it seems to make no sense right now.

*Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place