“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
This past November started off wonderful. I loved seeing the changing color of the leaves and was excited for my birthday which fell on the weekend. It was November 13 and I was excited to be hosting my annual Friendsgiving at my new house; a great time was held by all. Life was great.
The next day my family and I spent most of it laying around in our PJs watching Netflix until we decided to visit the Grandparents. I still remember my older daughter, Shannon, still tired from the night before, begged to stay home. Despite her protest, I was stubborn and insisted that family was more important. We went and dropped off some things and talked with our parents. After a while, we decided to make our way home.
My husband and Shannon had entered the house first. Shannon went upstairs and raced back down. She exclaimed “Something is wrong. Everything is all over the place.” As Shannon said that to me, I noticed the dining room window wide open. I pointed it out to my husband and he screamed, “Get out of the house and call 911! We have been robbed!” My heart pounded as we ran from the house. We ran to the neighbor across the street who welcomed us into his home.
The Police came and searched the house. Thank God the thief had left before we had arrived home. Hours went by as we sat across the street examining the videos from our neighbor’s surveillance cameras. We watched the videos show a young man with a hood walk right up to our home. He checked the side door and then proceeded to the back of the house. The police officers led us through the house to each room to see if we could identify what was taken. Walking through, my daughters cried. My anxiety poured into my trembling hands. Ready to lunge at any moment, my husband looked almost like a hunter studying the environment for his prey.
It took hours for us to be granted permission to go back into our house. Home did not feel like home; it did not feel safe. We thought about all that we had lost and cried ourselves into a fearful sleep. For days we all did not feel right. We had bought our home in a “safe” neighborhood. We did not have a fancy alarm nor cameras. We all felt violated and blindsided.
With time and reflection, it was my faith that has helped me get through this. I reflected on how when I pray I usually ask and ask away. I could choose to sink in fear, or realize there is always a rainbow after a storm. What could I be thankful for during this season of gratitude? I am thankful that my daughter was not home when it happened, that actually none of us were there. I am thankful that I have enough that I do not need to steal. I am thankful for my family and my new alarm system. I am grateful that certain aspects of my life cannot be stolen by any thief. This traumatic event has taught me to “give thanks in all circumstances.” God Bless and thank you for reading this.