It’s been quite the week. The crisis’ that have come this week have come as crises do – out of the blue.  The week began with me finding pools of blood on my carpet, which led me to my 10-year-old golden retriever.  He had somehow sliced his back paw open in such a deep way that he required surgery.  And wow was that an expensive fix.  (Though he needs a couple weeks of tender care, he will fully recover.)  The next day the brakes went out in the car.  The following day brought more unexpected bummers.  I need this week to be over!  Then this morning I got the call that my newlywed son’s motorcycle had been stolen in the night; his wife sobbing out the request for prayer.

I drove to their apartment as soon as I could and once inside, my now very calm daughter told me that she was praying for the person who stole their bike.  Their insurance is limited.  They were actually selling the motorcycle relying on their one car to get them to work because they need the money in this tight economy.  And here she was, not even an hour later, praying for the one who had violated their sense of safety and robbed them of much needed income.

“I have compassion for him.  When you steal something, you are feeling pretty desperate”, she said.

I have an amazing daughter in law.

We have an amazing God.  He is the Healer.  He is the Restorer.  He heals hearts and wounds.  He restores lives, relationships and stolen things; including stories, innocence, joy and years. 

We have a mean thief who loves to steal, kill and destroy.  And he has lost.  He has already lost.  He lost again today.