Humility and Courage


Miep Gies

Miep Gies, the woman who hid the Frank family during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam died today.

I was touched by her comment replayed on NPR regarding her feelings towards being considered a hero. She said in 1997 to school children online, "I don't want to be considered a hero. Imagine young people would grow up with the feeling that you have to be a hero to do your human duty. I am afraid nobody would ever help other people, because who is a hero? I was not. I was just an ordinary housewife and secretary."

While Miep may have been an ordinary housewife and secretary, she had an extraordinary spirit which enabled her to brave the possibility of being arrested to help her friends. Her courage was more than ordinary, especially when you think of the times she lived through.

We have all been blessed and will continue to be blessed by this "ordinary" woman's courage through the ability to read The Diary of Anne Frank. A testament to another "ordinary" person who faced life head on, believing in the best.


Anne Frank

One of my favorite quotes from Anne is, "I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are good at heart."

Thank God for ordinary people like Miep Gies and Anne Frank. They are Lights in the darkest of the corners of our world.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hello Linda,

Thanks for sharing this. We need to be reminded that we all have within us the power to do great things even in simple actions.We only have to have the courage.

Love and blessings!
January 18, 2010 at 11:52 PM
One Woman's Thoughts said…
To be in the presence and witness that moment when a person is just "being human" forever changes you. There are heros and angels among us everyday. Thank you for reminding us.
January 24, 2010 at 11:25 PM
Rev. Linda said…
Dear Miruh and One Woman's Thoughts...Thank you for your kind words and for visiting with me.

May you both be blessed with angels who wrap you in soft love.

Linda
January 25, 2010 at 8:00 PM
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