Two and a half weeks ago, our life was disrupted. During the night, intruders entered our home through an upstairs window, stole all of our laptop computers (including two client computers), Blueray player, my debit cards and my car keys, loaded all of our stuff up in our van and stole it also. While they were in the house, they opened the door to my mother-in-law's room. Her dog started growling and barking, but she didn't realize it was a stranger.....she was half asleep and thought it was our son.
When I woke up at 4:45am that morning, I saw my emptied purse in the hallway and the front door standing wide open. I yelled for my husband that someone had been in our home and we called the police. I still get the creeps thinking about a stranger standing just outside our bedroom door while we slept blissfully on the other side. (It actually may have been the grace of God that allowed us to sleep through this. Imagine the shock of waking to SEE someone in your home!) Later as we were cleaning up, we discovered that the thieves left a loaded bb gun behind. It looked like a real gun. It is a good thing for them that they didn't get shot by someone who thought it was real.
Why did this happen? I don't know. But I do know that while alot of our things were taken, our lives were still protected by God. I am reminded of the Scripture "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) While I don't believe that God wanted this to happen, I do believe that He can and will use ANYTHING that happens to us for our good. Not sure what good will come out of this, but I believe that it will.
One of the things that God is teaching me through this experience is about forgiveness. God doesn't say forgive those who are sorry, or repentant, or are worthy of forgiveness. No, we are to forgive BECAUSE GOD HIMSELF has forgiven us. Forgiveness is more for our benefit than that of those whom we must forgive. Not that it's easy. I have to continue to ask God to help me to be obedient to Him and to help me to forgive. But I have made the choice to forgive.
Does that mean that if the people are caught that I will not press charges? Not at all. I believe that is a natural consequence of the actions they chose to take. Sometimes its through experiencing the consequences of our actions that we get to the place where we realize we need Jesus.
Am I still struggling with frustration, anxiety and irritation over this situation. Absolutely. Am I committed to forgive and move on with my life. ABSOLUTELY!!!!
Our friends, family and clients have been wonderful, helpful and so supportive of us. God has truly blessed us!
This is a blog about the things God is doing in my life. Maybe this is just something I need to do for myself, or maybe it will be a source of encouragement to others. Either way....God is good.....ALL the time.
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