Response

We’ve narrowed it down to the evening of July 4th. Best we can tell it happened while we were up late watching Sons of Liberty or overnight while in bed asleep.

Either way, it happened within 50 feet from where we were and we didn’t hear a thing.

Our riding mower was stolen from the closed, attached garage.  Sunday morning we found the garage door open about 1/3 of the way. We reported to the sheriff that’s all they took. I say that in the tangible sense of lost property. The potential loss is greater though, more than just a lawnmower. Anyone who has experienced a break-in, theft or robbery can identify with the feelings of confusion, anger, violation and uneasiness.  

That lawnmower was a blessing we won’t be able to replace and it’s unlikely that it will be recovered. Having something taken simply sucks …. it makes me mad and sad and suspicious and sick inside. The more I think about it the madder I get. I struggle with the unfairness of it, struggle with the loss of peace and security. Struggle with the damaging fear and anger that threatens my health, mind and soul.
At the end of the day I have a choice to make ….. do I allow fear and anger to take root and consume me, or do I praise God and give Him thanks for protecting us from greater harm? All you have to do is watch the news to know that evil is attacking our community, our state, and beyond. Armed robbery and home invasions happen frequently. This could have ended up so much worse.
Desperate people do desperate things.  
My heart cries out as I seek how I’m supposed to feel, but more importantly, how I’m supposed to respond. I know my heavenly father hears me, He is for me and in that I do find great peace. I may FEEL outraged, hurt, fearful, violated, angry. But in every situation I have to choose to continue doing things God’s way. I am called to pray over the ones who have done us harm, those who violated our home and took our property. It’s not a natural response, but it’s what Jesus asks of me, what He modeled for me. I have to choose to ask God to show them His loving kindness, convict them of their error and show them a better way. The Way. 

Desperate people need Jesus. In that the thief is no different from me. I pray God will soften my heart, lessen my outrage, increase my gratitude and somehow use this situation for my good and His glory.

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