Book Review: Forty Autumns

So many times, I read stories about real individuals who did astounding things and I cannot even begin to put myself in their shoes. My heart ached for this family. They were the victims of political and social pressures that no individual should have to face. They lost their freedoms. Life became a tenuous and troublesome challenge. It is soul-crushing, what they experienced.

The story begins when the author, at age five, learns that her grandparents, Oma and Opa, live behind the Iron Curtain. Her tiny mind cannot grasp what that means. Then, the story unfolds - how her grandparents had 9 children and family was all-important to them. When her mother, Hanna, was only a teenager, the communists took over East Germany. Hanna, longing to be free, escaped to West Berlin, leaving her family behind. For forty years, they suffered almost absolute separation (visits denied, letters and packages absconded, connections feared because of the outcome of associating with a defector). Hanna eventually married and moved to America, where she raised six children with freedoms unimaginable to her family back in Germany.

The atrocities and injustices that the East German people endured were both shocking and cautionary. Communism required that they surrender their food, with the promise of equal distribution. They were subject to propaganda and misinformation, painting the West as evil, Eastern ways as most beneficial, and communist loyalty as imperative. Those in power confiscated their food, took away their jobs if they didn't agree with the political/social narrative, and threatened their lives because of the informants' greed. How shocking and disturbing to learn the statistics of those informants! "At the height of their power, the Stasi had employed one informant for every sixty-six residents; factoring in part-time informants, the number more accurately approximates one in six East German citizens."

It was harrowing to read of individuals shot while attempting to reach freedom. The oppression broke their spirits. They lived under constant suspicion that someone might report on their disloyalty. If only we could read of this historical period and learn, so as not to repeat this again. Sadly, I believe it will come to that again. Indeed, the Bible foretells such persecutions:

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good," 2 Timothy 3:1-3

"But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." Luke 21:12-15

Even relatives will turn against the godly:

"And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." Luke 21:16-17

"And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death." Matthew 10:21

They will believe they are serving a greater good:

"yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me." John 16:2-3

Men will be oppressed if they refuse to cooperate with the marking system:

"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Revelation 13:16-17

Praise be to God, though evil seems to triumph, we know God wins in the end! His justice will prevail! Those who oppress and put down believers will pay the price - eternal separation from God. May I be counted among those who endure:

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13

"ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." Hebrews 10:32-34

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12

I am grateful for this riveting history as preparation for coming days. How I pray I may endure and receive the crown of life!