Looking back on the break-in and finding something good.
The Bad
On February 9, 2018, a stranger kicked in our front door and walked into our home. He went through our personal things, tossed our mattress, and dumped drawers out. I wrote about that day in Open Letter to the Man Who Kicked in My Door.
We called the insurance company on the day of the break-in, and they contacted a damage control company to secure the door. They screwed it shut and fastened a 2×4 across the frame on the inside.
The mess was cleaned up, and the items that spilled out were put away. But the feelings associated with the break-in hung around.
When we walked into the living room, we saw the board across the door and the torn drywall. It was hard to feel safe in our house. It was hard not to think about it.
When our family came over, they had to enter through the garage. Checking the mail required walking out the back door or going downstairs through the garage and out to the front of the house.
Since the burglar had looked into our home through the window on the door, we shopped for a replacement door without a window. We also ordered a new storm door with a lock.
We selected our new doors and scheduled an installer to measure the opening. Then, we placed our order and waited.
We waited for the doors to come from the manufacturer. Then, we waited for an installer. After a cancellation due to snow, the installer put up our new doors on April 7th – eight weeks after the break-in.
How can being in a scary, uncertain, and frustrating situation have a good side? Other than finally getting the new doors installed?
The Good
Our grown children rallied around us. They contacted us more and came over to see if we needed anything.
The youngest fixed the alarm system. There had been an issue that stopped it from going off when the door opened. He also painted the windows on the garage door so no one could look inside.
Our oldest son posted the videos from our doorbell camera on a FaceBook page, and it was seen by thousands. A local news station showed it on the evening news.
Our neighbors are watching out for us. One was already there when the police arrived. Several others came by later to see if we needed anything.
We feel so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends. We also feel blessed to have such a wonderful Father that loves and cares for us.
Shining Through
My prayer life became stronger. After the break-in, instead of getting angry, I wrote in my journal how grateful I was to God for sparing us. If we had been in the house, things could have gone very differently. We were protected.
I prayed that God would turn the heart of the man who broke in. I prayed that he repent and open his heart to the Lord. I prayed that God would help me to forgive him. I still pray for this.
I keep a journal with my thoughts and prayers. Here is an excerpt from Feb. 14, 2018:
“It is overcast today, but the view from my window is still wonderful. Broken clouds and the sun shining from behind. The sun is always shining, we just can’t always see it. Sometimes it is hidden.
The same is true for God. He is always shining in our lives. Our hectic, over-scheduled, self-centered lives. He is always there, peeking through the clouds of our worries. We look up at those clouds and see the brilliance of the sun behind them, and we know that He is there.
We should look to God in times of trouble when all we see are dark clouds. Do not blame him for your clouds; go to Him in prayer and know He is there.
He isn’t hiding from us. We have placed him behind our worries and troubles. Open your eyes and see He is there. He is always there, shining through the clouds in your life.
Let the light of God shine through. Give your troubles and worries to him. Pray for comfort and strength during your trials.
Pray and listen. Seek Him with your whole heart and believe Him. Pray for the day and the hour that the clouds break into small wisps that disappear and the full warmth of the sun shines through. We have already received the greatest gift in the Son.“
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Last Sunday, the message at LifeChurch was about prayer. If you are struggling with your prayer life, I hope you can watch this message. It was exactly what I needed to hear. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
