What to do when your handbag is stolen?
- Pray for its return — even if that means looking in bins in the side streets of the theft.
- Pray for the person who stole — maybe they will be wholly convicted and turn to Jesus.
- Thank the LORD your person wasn’t stolen, your arm wasn’t broken, or your child didn’t go missing. There are always better situations, but also always there are worse.
I’m most struck by the fact that I could “afford” to lose the £275 cash that was in the wallet. I could “afford” the loss of my favourite eye glasses (‘m tying with poor vision, grateful I can touch type). I could “afford” the hassle of having to notify the banks, replace the cards — including my driver’s licence, find a new handbag, etc etc. Losing that amount of money hurts (I had literally just gone to the ATM). But I won’t starve as a result, and I will not take that for granted.
I didn’t have any house or car keys in the bag. Thank the LORD for that!
I didn’t get injured. Thank you for your protection, Father.
I didn’t panic. And one kind person who overheard my plight at the bank offered me money for a taxi (I didn’t accept as it wasn’t necessary).
So, what do we do when we have a handbag — or wallet, or keys, or something else of relative value? We call the police and other relevant parties. But we find the good and thank GOD for that. We praise Him in ALL seasons. We count our blessings.
I am still reflecting upon the occurrence. I was in a shop and had set my bag down — foolishly. GOD didn’t intervene, didn’t warn me, didn’t scold me either.
I don’t know why this happened today. Beware of the thief who comes in the night to steal and destroy. The adversary isn’t only the devil, but sometimes is a person.
I’m sad, I’m reflective. I feel a little bit bruised and a bit alone. But these feelings will pass. And in the meantime, I focus on the kindest shown me by the store clerk who contacted the police and the man in the bank who offered a helping hand. And I praise GOD I’m here to tell the story.
I’m dwelling on the aftermath and the peace which will eventually be fully restored. That’s how we process and recover from the experience of a theft.