A few nights ago, I finished reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, Holland’s first licensed woman watchmaker, born to a watchmaker dad who was born to a watchmaker dad. After her mom passed away and other siblings moved out, she lived in the family home with her older sister Betsie and her dad, Casper. Betsie, assumed unable to bear children because of a medical issue, didn’t consider marriage. Corrie anticipated marrying the man she loved; however, his family wanted different than Corrie. As I read her words, my heart broke as she opened the door to find the man and his fiancée standing on the front porch, waiting to be invited inside as though they were all dear friends.

History says Corrie, her family and other underground workers saved the lives of 800 Jews during the Holocaust. Though I’m finding it difficult to be hush hush and prevent myself from spilling spoilers, I will keep Corrie’s writing to a minimum. Read. the. book.

What I want to say is this: Corrie and her family, the man who tattled to authorities, the Nazis who not only caused death but failed to prevent it, the thousands of women in the extermination camp, the kind people who worked at the same table as the enemy and inconspicuously showed love to Corrie and Betsie — all used people.

Brave Reader, admit or not, accept it or not, rest in it or not, each of us is used people in the hands of God. Each of us purposefully created, breathed life into, for this moment, good or bad, for God’s glory.

Betsie assured and reassured and reassured and continued to provide hope and direction and encouragement and focus to Corrie. One night after Corrie had a vision she was convinced was real, her sister comforted her. “But if God has shown us bad times ahead,” Betsie said, “it’s enough for me that He knows about them. That’s why He sometimes shows us things, you know — to tell us that this too is in His hands.”

In 1942, German soldiers walked the streets of Holland. Of that time, Corrie writes, “That was the thing the occupation had done for Holland; churches were packed.” The Bible speaks of such a time. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, says to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

Used people. You and me, Friend. As we read the stories of others like us within this issue of Homegrown Journal, may we see this title as honorable, with our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Sincerely,

Julie Johnson
editor in chief
editor@homegrownjournal.com

COVER  My grandpa introducing me to twin calves born around Thanksgiving 1979. More than 30 years earlier, he fought in World War II as an airman in the U.S. Air Force. He was incredibly proud to be a veteran.