By the time I get home tonight I will have been away from the tension of living at my home for about 36 hours. It’s been a good time for reflection. One of the phrases that has come to mind is that these thefts are not personal, it’s business.
These thieves have a job to do. They obviously have people they sell stolen goods to and they need to pick up quick and easy stock. When it comes to flat screen TVs, they have picked up two from our house. They have seen that we have some computer equipment that their suppliers would like and so they try to return. But because they have been coming back and coming back, we are making a plan and removing all we do not need and what we do need is now protected.
This is part of the fallen world we live in. It is not God’s judgement on us. It’s not God smiting us with misfortune because we have not been faithful to Him. Not at all. The thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus came so that we may have life and have it to the full. Jesus has not ‘sent’ the thief. But let me say, Jesus can take this and make something good out of it.
Those who have read my blog for a while now, will know that I live an idyllic life. The treasure in my life does not consist of my computer and TV. The treasure in my life are these beautiful people…
And of course my brother, niece, nephew and the rest of my family and friends.
That’s my treasure.
As I have written about my life and my happy marriage and my great job and that Mike is retired and life is wonderful, I have pondered what would happen – how would I respond – if I had a trial?
Well guess what? This is it.
I’m in a trial and it’s hot. The anxiety levels I feel make me feel my hair is going grey! I feel as if my blood pressure is high. Sometimes I find myself shaking. My eyes twitch. My heart races. It’s really uncomfortable. I sleep badly, waking a number of times a night, listening, wondering and then reading my Bible and praying. (So that’s not so bad!)
We will trust the Lord. Some really good things have come out of this…the neighbourhood watch has been brilliant. We have connected with some amazingly helpful people. We have been motivated to live with less. We are even more determined to clean out and literally empty our house of a lifetime of possessions (most of which the thieves don’t really want). And thirdly, we have fast tracked the idea of building a house on a mountainside. We meet with an architect at the site on Friday. It’s going to take time to get a house up there, but this is another step in the right direction.
It certainly brings this into sharp focus.
Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal..”
It’s just good to get my priorities straight.
Happy days are ahead. This has been a good time, albeit busy, of reflection. I’m now sitting at Durban airport about to tuck into #416 of my 1000 thanks – Salmon salad. I had one at the hotel last night, but it’s not as good as this one!
Homeward Bound.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂