A Mother's Love

One day, as we stood in line to receive our food and water rations, I lost control. When I passed one of the officers who handled our rations, I threw my cup of precious drinking water in his face and spat at him. Then I said the most unkind words I could think of.

Immediately a samurai sword was drawn toward me. Quickly my mother put her hands on the sword and pushed it away from me, cutting her hands in the process.

"Please pick up your cup, Kitty, and apologize," she begged me softly.

She picked up the cup, then bowed deeply, as was required when addressing the Japanese. She offered apologies in my name, and asked the Japanese officer to please have mercy on me. "If there must be a punishment," she said, "I will take it for my child."

Kitty de Ruyter-Bons' remarkable story of her mother's Christlike love and faith has touched thousands. This powerful story of a mother's love is now available in this special gift booklet. You will want to share her extraordinary story with all the special women in your life.