We have all asked ourselves from time to time, “How did the saints of old, and the saints of yesterday about which we are privileged to hear . . . how ever did they display such great and unselfish love for others?
The secret of great love toward others is found among those who keep themselves in the love of God.
Corrie and Betsie ten Boom managed it in the concentration camp at Ravensbruck; Mother Theresa did it among the poorest of the poor in Calcutta; Dietrich Bonhoefer did it as a patriot and a prisoner. Therese of Lisieux said that she hoped to spend her heaven praying for those she was leaving behind on the earth.
There are a couple of things that cannot be taken from us in this life, and one of them is that we may keep ourselves in the love of God. No one can take that privilege from us; neither height nor depth, things present nor things to come, can separate us from His love. It is given to us to keep ourselves there.
The other possession we may hold dear and never fear to lose is the love of others. We may love them all we want. Our love may or may not be reciprocated, and our emotions may sometimes snivel and pout and lay claim to all the juiciest part of self-pity, but in truth we may love others extravagantly, as long as we will content ourselves with the giving of it. Never will that privilege be taken from us.
Next time, one more all-important instruction in the how-to of love, and we will see that it is rather as if the labyrinth of love has let us out at the door.
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9
Betsy ten Boom
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Cor Unum Abbey 