Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Cops and Robbers

It was a muggy Monday afternoon as Molly and I headed back into the parking garage at the hospital. We had just spent a short but enjoyable thirty minutes visiting one of our loved ones. We were walking side by side, arms linked, giggling and chatting our way back to the car. I unlocked the car as I came around the tail end of it and noticed my window. Instantly I realized that something was wrong. I knew I hadn't left my window down. Then I noticed the thousands of shards of safety glass at the foot of the door and knew what had happened. We had been robbed. Yup. Robbed.

I peeked inside where we had hidden both our purses and they,along with two phones, were gone. My seat was covered in the same glass I first noticed outside my driver side door. We glibbly marched our way together back into the hospital to find a security guard. No more giggling.

I have to admit, my first reaction was shock. The second was anger, followed by fear. It was then that Molly and I decided we must forgive. We spoke to each other about what it must take to steal. Hunger. Sick children. Any number of reasons. We hoped out loud that the money would be used for good. Somehow we thought that would make us feel better about the episode. Somehow it didn't.

After what seemed like hours(it wasn't)the police arrived. I was expecting to watch him dust for prints or search the stairways. To my disappointment all he did was take down the information and fill out a report. He then told me "You should plan on leaving everything except your driver's license at home next time you come. Never leave your purse in the car. If you bring it with you, lock it in your trunk." The smarty pants in me thought "well, thank you but I already knew that!" But I thanked him and headed home, slivers of glass poking into my toes and elbows.

This morning as I sat and had my quiet time I was still venting to the Lord about this thing. And truthfully I thought again about what the policeman said to me. I did know I shouldn't leave my purse locked in the car, even if it was out of sight. But I did it anyway. Somewhere in my spirit I felt the Lord reminding me that I can say whatever I want. I can say "I trust You Lord." I can say "I believe You Lord." I can say "I have a heart for those who do not know the Lord." I can even say that "I know I shouldn't ever leave my purse in the car." But if I do not act on that belief, then it is really as if I didn't believe at all.

Praise Him!

P.S. In case you are wondering, our thieves first stop with our money....DVDExpress!

12 comments:

H Kay White said...

Hugs to you, Kim, and thanks for sharing your Godly insights with those of us that don't always get the message ourselves.

Kim S in SC said...

Hugs right back Kay! Loved prayer group this morning!

duopastorale said...

Good thoughts... I am often so careless when doing what I know I should. Blessings :)

Kim S in SC said...

Hello Mike. Thanks for your thoughts. Enjoy your summer! My daugter spent time in your home country this past semester and loved her visit!

TO BECOME said...

Kim, that was a very special post. Your insights were a blessing. I am so sorry about your loss and pray you don't have to go though such a thing again. Some just steal for the fun of it and it is sin. It might have been and probably was someone who does not know the Lord and for that we can pray for them. Hope today just keeps better and better. connie

Kim S in SC said...

Connie,
Thank you for your kind words. You are so right about praying for them! Thanks again!

LAUREN at Faith Fuel said...

We were robbed, years ago, back when my husband was pastoring. And I felt as dumbfounded as you did when the cops arrived and sat at my kitchen table drinking coffee and relaxing. They did not attempt anything that would bring about a reversal of our loss.

But that's not how God is! He restores the years the locusts have eaten, and He is ready to renew, revive, and refill us (and even renew that thief who stole your purse!)

Kim S in SC said...

Lauren! Oh YES! Beautiful reminder, beautiful God!

Susan Skitt said...

Oh my... how terrible. But as your are sensitive to the Lord, you have asked Him, "Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?"

We once woke up to the seats stolen from our car, can you believe it? We had leased the car, a VW Jetta, and all we can think of is somebody followed my husband from one of his jobs to our home. We lived on a highway in the burbs at the time...

Susan Skitt said...

Oh and the insight gleaned? Although simplistic, it was an immediate reminder that everything on earth is temporary and not to become too attached to things - they will fade away. The thief comes to steal, but Christ has come that we may have life - eternal...

Kim S in SC said...

Amen Susan!

Barbara said...

I know how horrible this feels. It happened to us in France and we had to drive back to England in the pouring rain with a shattered window.

It also happened close to home when my husband had thousands of pounds worth of company equipment in the car. One feels violated even though it is only the car. Must be so much worse when it is one's home.

Have to say though that both times the car was locked.

"Weighting" on the Lord

Let this be a place of encouragement for you in your own walk!