Yesterday Oregon won again. I think it’s Oregon 100 Katie 2.

I attempted to start the day in cute flip flops and a t-shirt and quickly switched to my rain boots and raincoat. On my way to get a warm coffee at Starbucks I decided to add to the rain total and shed a few tears.

I felt defeated.

Later in the evening I sought my husband’s counsel as my personal pastor, but was initially taken back when his answer started with fleas.

I held his hand and poured out my heart to him all about my longing to be joyful in all circumstances, yet struggling to find joy in the dark clouds and rain…every single day.

He turned to me and began to explain the story of  Corrie Ten Boom in her autobiography ‘Hiding Places’.

Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to their second concentration camp. As they entered their barracks and laid in the cramped row of wood planks they began being attacked by millions of fleas. They had considered all of what they had experienced up to this point, a way for God to use their circumstances for his glory. This time, Corrie was frustrated. Frustrated at the fleas, the situation, and asked the question why.

As they sat there, Betsie said, “The answer to our troubles is found in the scripture we read today.”

Corrie’s sister quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances…”

Betsie explained how they needed to be thankful to God for the fleas. Corrie did not want to do it. She was not thankful for the fleas.

She was irritated with them.

But they prayed, “God, thank you for the fleas,” despite Corrie’s disgust of them.

The two of them started a church service at night in the barracks, a highly illegal activity in German concentration camps. The barracks they lived in were built for 400 but housed 1400 women. If they were caught, serious punishment would ensue. However, night after night the guards left the barracks alone. Nobody entered. Ever. One day a guard entered the barracks to remove a sick woman but would not come past the doorway because he would not come near the fleas.

That was it! The guards would not enter the barracks because of the fleas!

The one thing Corrie didn’t want to be thankful for was the one thing that was saving her life, protecting her, and allowing Corrie and her sister to give the hope of Jesus to lost and broken women in the concentration camp.

And because I don’t know the reason for everything, today I woke up and thanked God for the dark skies, fog and rain.

Because just as he used fleas to save Corrie, the one thing I hate could be what is protecting me.

Much Love,

Katie