Matt 6:19

Two paces separated me from grabbing my computer back from the 17-year-old thief looking at me with saucer eyes as he screamed, “go! go! go!” to the getaway driver. Instead, I slammed my hand against the trunk of the champagne sedan as the bandits sped away to pick up the fourth member who swiped my brand new galaxy s4—yes, the one that can move between pages by waving your hand in front of it and can read your eyes so it moves the email page on its own, that one.

One moment I am discussing how to write biblical curriculum with the Sandra Glahn, and the next I am borrowing her phone to call the police about my pilfered MacBook and galaxy.

Frustrated. Tired. Overwhelmed. Anxious. Annoyed. I felt all of them.

However, toward the thieves, I mostly felt pity.

Before my head hit the pillow, my mom had suspended my line with T-Mobile, a great friend brought me dinner, my boss handled all of the IT needs (should I have mentioned it was my work’s computer?…who steals a Church’s computer?!), my IT department sprang into action, strangers expressed kind sentiments, and multiple people asked, “what can I do?”

Before the end of the week, I enjoyed gifted cookies, hugs in droves, Facebook messages expressing empathy, T-Mobile lending me a phone free of charge, friends comforting, God speaking tenderly, and much, much more.

As I thought about those four teenagers and their post-theft experience, I imagined the climax looked like a high five for lifting a couple hundred bucks of electronics.

Except for one shining moment of victory and a meager payday split four ways, they probably felt predominantly negative emotions. Fear from being identified by multiple people. Embarrassment from screaming in fear at the sight of a 5’6” blonde chasing you. Sadness from resorting to common thievery.

Certainly, their lives lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness…all of which I bask in from the outpouring of those around me and the Spirit within me.

I pity them.

So, I have been praying for them. Praying they will repent. Praying they will someday know the kindness of others. Praying they know I am not mad, but wanting to share the good news with them. Praying they will someday learn to store up treasures in heaven (not here on earth, you know, where thieves can break in and steal).