Emphasis Preaching Journal

I find it hard not to think of Anne Frank whenever I read of the progression: suffering, endurance, character, hope. Almost two years into hiding, Anne wrote on February 23, 1944: "But I looked out of the open window too, over a large area of Amsterdam, over all the roofs and on to the horizon, which was such a pale blue that it was hard to see the dividing line. 'As long as this exists,' I thought, 'and I may live to see it, this sunshine, the cloudless skies, while this lasts, I cannot be unhappy.' The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles." (Anne Frank: The Diary Of a Young Girl. Translated by B. M. Mooyaart-Doubleday. Introduction by Eleanor Roosevelt. New York: Pocket Books, 1952.)

-- Becker 2