The Benefits of Crime, 2

The Benefits of Crime, 2 February 21, 2010

Last week I began listing ten of the benefits the Lord has brought intomy life as a direct result of the burglary at our house last month. Here’smore:

3.   God dealt with the idol in my heart of falsetreasure. Jesus expressly warns: “Do not lay up treasures on earth, …where thievesbreak in and steal” (Mt 6:19); but I’ll be doggoned if I hadn’t gone and donejust that! The break-in forced me to ask myself, “What did this guy take thatdeath will not take from me someday?” Nothing! Which means, if I don’t have atreasure that transcends death, I don’t have anything! But it also means thatif Jesus is my treasure, my greatest joy, and my all in all, then neither deathnor burglary can rob me of what matters most.

4.   We received unexpected money for some neededhome repairs. I had been praying for a few months for some extra cash to fixour septic system, and voila! Somebody took some of our junk, and our insurancecompany came through with the cash. I will confess that God’s method foranswering my prayers wasn’t quite what I expected, but I’m not complaining!

5.   My love for my family has deepened dramatically.I’ve always loved my wife and kids greatly, but the break-in brought all of usmuch closer, as you would probably expect. It’s always been pretty routine forme to walk through the house before bed, checking windows and doors; but nowI’m much more prone to pause by the kids’ bedside and thank God for them. Iguess you could say that my evening vigil has become an act of worship.

(continued next week)