Key Bible Verse: Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later (Ecclesiastes 11:1). Bonus Reading: Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Less known than his Aunt Corrie, Peter ten Boom was part of the family that provided a safe house in Haarlem, the Netherlands, to which Jewish people escaped during the Nazi occupation.

Peter and others extricated hundreds of Jewish children from orphanages ahead of the S.S. troops, who were collecting them to ship to concentration camps.

Peter also played the organ in a country church. Though it was forbidden by German decree, one Sunday Peter pulled out the stops and played the Dutch national anthem, while shocked but proud churchgoers stood and sang the words. For this act of defiance, Peter, then 16, went to prison.

After the war, Peter went around the world with the same message as his famous aunt: that forgiveness is the only answer to hatred.

In Israel on one of his tours, he was felled by a heart attack. Prompt surgery was essential to save his life. The cardiologist spoke with his patient before the operation. "I see your name is ten Boom. Are you by any chance related to the ten Booms of Haarlem?"

"Yes," replied Peter. "That's my family."

The doctor replied, "And I'm one of the babies your family saved!"

—Harold J. Sala in Heroes

My Response: How have I invested in others?

Thought to Apply: A man there was, though some did count him mad / The more he cast away the more he had.—JOHN BUNYAN (author of Pilgrim's Progress)

Adapted from Heroes (Promise, 1998) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Jesus, fill me with the abundant life promised in Your Word. Give me Your wisdom to live right.

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