Like a thief in the night

Last week, somebody climbed up to our balcony at night, entered into our house through the screen door, walked into our bedroom and stole, among other things, my laptop and David's super new phone that he had saved up for.

This is the first time we have had things stolen from this house and the first time ever to experience a break-in. That in itself is something I am so grateful for.

I am also grateful that we all slept soundly, that none of the kids woke up and stumbled into him (or her) on their way to the bathroom. We have since heard that the incidents of armed robbery are increasing and for all I know there might have been a gun in our house that night. Things could have been a lot worse.

Still, to know that someone came into our 'holy of holies', our bedroom, one of the most private rooms in a house and walked right up next to our bed and helped himself (or herself) to our possessions has brought along a wealth of extremely varied emotions and thoughts.

Since then, almost a week has passed. I am learning to let go. Let go of the monetary loss. Let go of work that has gone lost. Let go of memories in the form of pictures and videos. It is, after all, just a thing and I won't tie my heart to a thing. The memories are stored. They are part of me. The work can be redone. The thing can be replaced eventually.

Letting go of that 'feeling' has been harder. At times I'll climb the stairs and think of this stranger's feet touching the exact same steps. I look at the screen door that stood ajar in the morning as I woke up and remember those first moments of realization. I replay all I remember of the last week in my mind and try not to blame or suspect anyone.

It is amazing how this incident can rob you of all joy and take the wind out of your sails. Just when things were starting to look up after a challenging start back to life here it's like a blow to your stomach that leaves you struggling for air.

Again I have that choice. To not be robbed again. I may have been robbed physically and materially. But I will not let myself be robbed of joy as well. I don't want to be governed by fear.

The words of Jesus come to my mind:

 "Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Matthew 23:42-44

Jesus will come like a thief in the night. Our feeling of security and safety led to slackness on our part. We got less careful and a little lazy. Every day I have that choice of how I want to live my life. I want to finish strong, not become complacent. Not rob myself of joy by focusing on all that could be better. I want to be ready and watchful and mindful and go through each day with an open heart and open eyes and open hands. Live each day fully. Filled with a lot of laughter. And ice - cream.