The Break In…
The toughest part post break-in is that after everything was swiped we were left to clean up the mess and deal. Broken glass, missing electronics, the cutest pooch in the world barkless and shaking, and a nervousness that kept us both waking up in the middle of the night. The next days to come were no better. Off to work (because bills don’t care about break-ins) and conversations that ended in “Did you lock the door?” A type of violation left unspoken, but very present when we realized that every time we opened the front door of our home we felt the anxiousness of wondering if our things were still there.
Although glad we were safe, I was left burdened by the audacity of someone making up in their minds that it was ok to take something that didn’t belong to them and in such a destructive way. It hurt in the most “I try my best to see the good in people” kind of way, but realism busted my kitchen window in. Lauren Chalaire took it pretty hard too. As with anyone that has a type of valuable that can’t be replaced simply because of the intangible connection associated with it, Lauren got gypped. They took her computer, but more than that they took her poetry. She would sit and type for hours. Her hard-drive was her journal and in her words she felt like “they took an extension of her soul and she was a poet left speechless.” After asking God “Why us?” and “Why now?”, we had to assess our situation and trust God that we’re internally equipped with everything we need even in the absence of seemingly important external things.
Let me make it clear, they can have the stuff. I just wish that they realized that clinging to material things is like trying to fill a God-sized hole with a grain of sand. I felt more sad for the burglar than mad. I know that only ignorance or desperation (maybe both) could lead someone to burglarize and it’s our sin nature that justifies this kind of selfishness. However; it still doesn’t feel good. So what do you do when you’ve fallen victim to theft?
1.Pray
To some people this may feel like the hardest thing to do when upset and confused, but there is a real enemy that has fear and resentment ‘waiting for you at the door’. You may not know why things happened the way the did, but God sees all and left you with his Holy Spirit to bring you peace and strength in the midst of the crazy around you.
John 14:25–27
2. Regroup
Get your thoughts together. Yes you can be upset. It is only human to feel some type of way about somebody violating you, but remember that God works everything out for the good of those that love him. It may be necessary to grieve the loss and take a break and that’s ok. Get you some top flight security, seek out emotional support, and (if necessary) financial support. At the end of the day, the taker may have stolen your things but can not steal your spirit.
Colossians 3:2
3. Restore
Go ahead and get your items replaced, forgive, and move on. One of the traps we as humans get caught in is thinking that we can call down fire and brimstone on someone by holding a grudge and being bitter. I heard it put this way, “refusing to forgive is like drinking poison hoping the other person dies from it.” Yes it was messed up, but the taker has to answer to God for their deeds and we have to answer to Him for our response. Offering forgiveness is liberating and allows you to be free to speak true healing into someone else who goes through a similar situation.
Matthew 6:14–15