This blog is different than my usually so far. This story was not written by me but by my Great-Grandma Lancee (Margo Lancee) about 11-12 years ago. (That’s when she wrote it down on paper, not when the story took place)
In light of it being Remembrance Day I thought I would share a story that took place during the Second World War.
My grandma was 27 when this story happen. The war started when she was 22. She had a war time wedding when she was 25 and had twins at 26. My grandma was who I wanted to be when I grew up, she was such a women of God and always thought of others. In 2007
she past away at the ripe age of 90. Here is her story title "Love in the face of my enemy."
she past away at the ripe age of 90. Here is her story title "Love in the face of my enemy."
War is a great incubator for birthing the worst in human nature. No one would debate this. However, it is also true that the worst of times gives birth to the noblest people. Let me tell my story as proof of this.
In November 1944, a few months before the Second World War ended, my husband and I, with our one-year-old twins, were living in a big city in Holland- which was occupied by Nazi invaders. During this this there was no food left in the city and many
people were dieing.
people were dieing.
Rich and poor alike, shared the same problem. Money couldn’t buy even a morsel. Some farmers still had plenty of food, so they took advantage of the situation and would trade their food for gold, silver, and other household articles.
When your loved ones are suffering you do everything to help them. One morning I took the Twins’ carriage and loaded it with possessions to trade for food. We decided that my husband would look after the twins. It was dangerous for him to go on the
street as he was a young man and our enemies could pick him up and send him to Germany.
street as he was a young man and our enemies could pick him up and send him to Germany.
It was still dark when I left home at 4am. I walked along the rough road for hours. At 8am I knocked on the first door at the first farm. When the farmer opened the door, a delicious aroma wafted out from the kitchen. "May I trade some of my possessions
for food?" I asked. "No!" Came the stern reply as he hastily closed the door. As I trudged from farm to farm, this was always the same response. Being a proud women who always had her needs supplied, it was difficult to have to try to acquire food in this
fashion. The rejection and negative response was devastating.
for food?" I asked. "No!" Came the stern reply as he hastily closed the door. As I trudged from farm to farm, this was always the same response. Being a proud women who always had her needs supplied, it was difficult to have to try to acquire food in this
fashion. The rejection and negative response was devastating.
But love for my my husband and the little girls gave me the strength to go on. For three and a half hours I continued to walk from one farm to another, and received nothing. Hate began to fester within me; I hated the German soldiers, I hated the farmers,
I hated this war.
I hated this war.
Then I became sad and started praying to God. As I did so, I felt God’s presence was within me and I knew that he would help me. I also knew that he has no tolerance for hate in any of his children’s hearts. This was something in which I had to come
to terms.
to terms.
As I continued my wearisome journey. I met a German soldier who asked, "can I help you?" The warmth and caring tone of his friendly voice melted my hateful feelings. Before I could halt them, tears came from my eyes and down my cheeks. In between my
sobs, I told him what I had been doing and the response I received from my efforts. He listened intently and then he asked me to give him the carriage full of my possessions, he said, "I will try for you."
sobs, I told him what I had been doing and the response I received from my efforts. He listened intently and then he asked me to give him the carriage full of my possessions, he said, "I will try for you."
About half hour later, ha came back with the carriage loaded with food. The farmers were afraid of the soldiers so they gave him everything he asked. He gave me the carriage and then said, "wait for a moment, I will be back soon." He came back with
his lunch and handed it to me. "Come, eat this. I have had a breakfast already and I know you didn’t so please take it," he pleaded. Through my tired, tear-swollen eyes, I saw love in his face. He continued to speak. "I don’t want to be a soldier but I have
to be. I haven’t seen my wife in such a long time. I pray for her and she for me.
his lunch and handed it to me. "Come, eat this. I have had a breakfast already and I know you didn’t so please take it," he pleaded. Through my tired, tear-swollen eyes, I saw love in his face. He continued to speak. "I don’t want to be a soldier but I have
to be. I haven’t seen my wife in such a long time. I pray for her and she for me.
In my heart I was moved and God’s love began to fill the cavity vacated by hate. "Thank you Lord, thank you for your love." I cried. Today many years later, the lesson I learned on that day, in an integral part of my belief system. Love, God’s kind
of love, is the most important treasure in the world. It can overcome all barriers between people. I found it in the face of my enemy who became my friend and brother in Christ. That is the miracle of God’s love.
of love, is the most important treasure in the world. It can overcome all barriers between people. I found it in the face of my enemy who became my friend and brother in Christ. That is the miracle of God’s love.
Until Next Time
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