During the final days of the war, Schindler smuggled himself back into Germany into Allied-controlled territory. He was by now destitute and almost unknown. Jewish relief organizations and groups of Jewish survivors were able to support him modestly over the years.
When Schindler visited Israel in 1961, on the first of 17 visits, he was enthusiastically welcomed by 220 survivors. He continued to live, partly in Israel and partly in Germany. After his death in 1974, in Hildesheim, Germany, he was buried in the Catholic Cemetery of Jerusalem. [1]
Now, for just a moment, can you put yourself in Oskar’s shoes? Think of what it must have been for him to die penniless and unknown after risking his life and spending all he had. Think of your own experiences.
Have you ever done your best at something and done well, yet not been recognized for it? It feels pretty bad. You probably felt that people didn’t value you. Didn’t care about the best you’ve tried to be or do.
But if you believe in God—the God who created you and loves you—you’ll find comfort. The God who helped you be the best you could be knows how hard you worked. In fact, he was right beside you as you did so. And he knows what it’s like to not always be glorified for what he’s done.
As you struggle with disappointment, find peace in the knowledge that God, your Father, understands how you feel. Because he’s been there himself.
And here we leave Oskar Schindler. The next individual we’ll be looking a is Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most inspirational African-American leaders in history.
m, The World Holocaust Remembrance Center.
This has been Part 47 of the series A Life Worth Living.
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