Except that a few days later I saw another one.. and then another one. They were always dead, but this happened enough times that I completely lost my mind when one was next to my jewelry box on my dresser (SICK, right?!). Suffice it to say - I freaked the freak out. Bless Russ' heart who took the brunt of that meltdown.
The good news is I got some more heavy duty bug killing stuff. The better news, I haven't even put that stuff out yet and I haven't seen one of those little "visitors" in a week and a half. They must have heard my epic freak-out and told their friends. Score, right?
Except on Friday we had another type of uninvited visitor. The kind that would rather throw a brick through your window than knock on the door. The kind that proceeds to enter your home and violate your space by taking your belongings and rifling through every drawer and closet to find more valuables. The kind that evidently knows exactly how much time they have to enter, set off your alarm, take what they wish, and peace out. I certainly hope they felt welcome during their brief stay in our home.
I'm not going to pretend like it's not a bummer that we got robbed. It's a huge bummer. As I walked through our home on Friday morning with the police, making a list of missing items, I felt so much loss. Loss of belongings, sure, but the loss of felt-safety in our home took my breath away.
Yet, as I shuffled through the broken glass, holding back tears, the Lord reminded me of my time volunteering in the BSF children's program a few weeks ago. We ended our time together by memorizing this verse:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven - where moths (or cockroaches??) and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
God knew how true these words would become for me in a matter of days. He knew that it wouldn't be long until I'd be challenged to put my money where my mouth was as I recited these words with a tribe of wiggly nine year olds.
So, yes - some of our things were taken. But the great news is, they are things. They are not our treasures. Am I glad this happened? Certainly not. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I am grateful for the lesson this holds - especially right before the holidays when my Christmas list is already embarrassingly long. As I scrolled through said list this morning, I felt a little silly. Like my treasure belonged somewhere besides a Pinterest board now and in my closet in late December. I'm not sure what this will look like, but I am praying that the Lord would continue to teach me through this experience and move me to bless others with that.
So we cleaned up the mess, boarded broken windows, and got on with our weekend. We had friends for an impromptu dinner party and intense mario kart tournament on Saturday night and hosted our small group on Sunday evening. Godly friendships are a priceless treasure. The joy they bring into our home is invaluable. The laughter, tears, prayers, authenticity and vulnerability shared cannot be taken by anyone. I am thanking God for these precious treasures that He has given me this day.
