Last week my daughter's house was broken into and robbed. She was in Warm Springs at the time and called me as she was driving back. She was upset and crying; I was trying to calm her down with saying it's only things--nobody was hurt. Her reply was, I can at least cry about it! And that is true, luckily only the flat-screen TV was ripped out of the wall (notice I said out of) and their kitchen door was kicked in. She was thinking of the things she owns that have a lot of memories attached to them. I was physically sick just thinking of them being violated in such a violent manner.
This morning these verses caught my attention at church:
You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Hebrews 10:34,35,39
Christians at that time were persecuted and it was nothing for the government to come and take away all of their possessions. I was thinking of things that I own; a lot of them are a part of someone very special to me; they represent someone. Then I thought what do I have that represents God? I do have a hand-made vase from Uruguay that was given to me on a mission trip as a symbol that we are to be a vessel for the Lord to fill and then we pour out. No, that doesn't really represent God. I own about four Bibles--but the actual book itself doesn't represent God. The scripture tells us that we are to engrave the Word of God on our hearts.
There isn't anything material that represents God. We are the vessels that God has created to fill us with Him--Christ. Even our bodies are temporary--Christ has promised that what-ever happens to us on earth, He has an eternal home for us in heaven.
Too many thoughts for a Sunday--well it is Sunday! I'm still thinking of the old man who learned his lesson with the dishes. Theoretically speaking--I think this week I'll make sure that my dishes are washed--each and every day!
1 comment:
Oh, I'm sorry to hear your daughter went through this. I remember being robbed, more than once. But the one time that hurt the most was when things were taken that had memories attached.
It DOES feel like a violation. You are right, it's not the "things" in and of themselves, it's the memories attached.
I think I would hate for someone to steal my large Bible I read at home (can you imagine a burlger stealing a Bible!) Not because it's a Bible, but because I write in it, underline, make notes. It has "footprints" in it of where Jesus and I have walked together... where He has met me in the "garden" and we have spent time there, and those are special reminders. I love going back and re-reading them, like reading old love letters. :-)
Loretta
=^..^=
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