Papa – What Is It Like To Die?
- July 14, 2016
- by
- Vicky Whyte
A true story that I have always found incredibly inspiring is The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. I have read the book and watched the film several times.
One of the well-known sayings that Betsie said to Corrie while they were in Ravensbruck was “There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still.” This saying and the truth of it has been very meaningful to me throughout Leah’s illness and death.
Before Leah and I went to Bristol we bought the DVD of the Hiding Place and took it with us. We sat and watched it together while in isolation in the Transplant Unit in Bristol Children’s Hospital. Corrie’s story seemed more meaningful than ever to me there. Here’s another excerpt from Corrie’s story that has blessed me:
Papa – What Is It Like To Die?
When given the news of her father’s death, Corrie pictured in her mind one of the times where her father’s faith and wisdom gave her great peace.
When he was tucking her into bed one night, Corrie asked: “Papa, what is it like to die?”
Papa Ten Boom did not look away from her, but held his gaze into her eyes. “When we go to Amsterdam, when do I give you your ticket?”
Corrie considered this well before answering. “Just before we get on the train.”
Still holding his steady gaze, he said to her: “When the time comes, your Heavenly Father will give you all the strength you need.”
Truly when the time came, our daughter was also given all of the strength that she needed, to enable her to die with grace and with dignity.