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“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth 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
The sun keeps enticing us to stay a little longer. It streams through the leaves, skips across the pond and dances on the spider webs. The fiery leaves blaze with pride when the sun touches them and I can’t resist taking just one more photograph of Jackson climbing into the blue sky.
But finally we pull ourselves away and leave the park, promising to return soon. It is a carefree kind of a day. We stop to read the sign about coyotes — neither of us in a hurry to get home.
The gravel parking lot is almost empty now. “But…wait. What is wrong with my van?” It takes a few more steps to see the broken glass. “Oh my purse,” I moan. “I left it on the seat.” Instantly I know what happened.
But it doesn’t make sense to a four year old and Jackson begins to scream, completely panicked and confused. I can’t hear all of his words. They are mixed with piercing cries and shrieks. But I do hear, “No — not your purse. You love that purse. We need to get it back. What has happened? How will we get it back? How Mommy? We need to get it back? When will they give it back?”
He keeps trying to pick at the glass still hanging on to the window frame. I tell him to stop as I reach for my phone in my pocket to phone my mom. “Can Susan meet us at a repair shop?” I buckle Jackson into his booster seat, pick up one of his books and sweep the worst of the glass off my seat. With a towel from the backseat — I find towels so helpful to keep in the car — I cover the rest of the glass on my seat and we drive to meet Susan.
Troublesome crimes like this are so frustrating. The thief gained almost nothing from stealing my purse, but it will cost me hundreds of dollars and many hours to repair all his damage. We store too much in our wallets and purses. Thieves can take so much with one greedy fist.
Jackson is still talking through tears, trying to understand. “This is the worst thing that has ever happened,” he whimpers and I know that in his short life it is. I am grateful it is a small crime and I keep assuring him that everything is okay. It is only stuff. We are fine and that is all that matters.
I can’t express my relief and gratitude that only my purse is gone. My son is safe. The radio is playing “Blessed be the name of the Lord…” and I worship. This is another lesson today, a vivid reminder, that everything on this earth will slip from our hands and all we have are our treasures in Heaven.
Jackson is in bed by the time I get home from the store. My husband has him tucked in, but he hears me open the door. I am happy — I want to hug and pray with him tonight. I go to Jackson’s room and snuggle up. He asks me more questions and we talk.
We talk about God. “They can’t steal God!” Jackson pronounces triumphantly, his voice still shaky with tears, “He is too big!”
We talk about Heaven. I tell him about Jesus’ lesson about treasures in Heaven. I hope he understands a little.
And then we pray. I pray first, thanking God for our safety and asking forgiveness for the thieves, praying for God to help them too. I explain to Jackson that they are hurting and lost and that is why they do such things.
Jackson hesitates to pray tonight, but then he does.
“Dear God, thank you for my friends and family. Thank you God only the purse was stolen and that my mommy loves me. Thank you that I wasn’t stolen. And thank you that my cousin wasn’t stolen. Cause if she was stolen then I would cry forever…”
He keeps praying in his innocent language, thanking God for saving us “for” our sins and dying on the cross. I wish I could record it all. I am trying so hard to remember the words but they fade as fast as they come. I imagine God is as in love with him as I am.
Despite it all, I feel so peaceful. Not only are we all safe, but also I am grateful for the lessons. I hope Jackson can remember what it felt like to be hurt so profoundly so that compassion can grow deep within him. I hope he learns to hold on to this world a little less tightly and clings to the Truth instead. I hope that I do too. Most of all, I just feel complete relief that there is more to life than purses, wallets and toys. That this earth isn’t all we have. That, like Jackson said, “They can’t steal God.” We have forever waiting and our treasures are safe.
Jenny in Ca says
So sorry this happened to you, and oh, I feel so bad for poor little Jackson’s reaction to it. But yes, it does put it into perspective for us adults, when we have to forget ourselves and comfort a scared, confused little one…things aren’t important, people are. The lessons you shared with him will stay in his heart forever.
Jenny
R'acquel says
Glad to hear you are at ‘peace’. I’ve found it hard to feel compassion for the thieves my life faced. My son’s reactions were similar to Jackson’s and my life is still impacted by the first round of break-in that i experienced as a child. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to reflect on where our hearts live 😉
e-Mom says
I’m so glad things turned out alright, despite the terrible inconvenience. My greatest concern is the trauma to Jackson. Thank goodness he knows Jesus, and he can process it all through prayer!
BTW, we were up in your neck of the woods over the weekend. What perfect fall day on Saturday!
Nancy says
Thanks for that verse. A lovely mom I met through church moved away this past summer. Last weekend their house burned to the ground, along with their two cars. Luckily, she, her husband and the two kids got out safely, but it certainly reminded me that my “stuff” is far more important to me than it should be.
Erna says
Sorry to hear about this but I appreciated the lessons that you shared. God bless little Jackson and I’m sure God is in love with him as much as . . . and even more! ;0)
Barb says
I’m sorry this happened to you, Janice, but the way you handled it and the was you explained it to your child is amazing. And his prayer put a little lump in my throat.
I’m not sure I would have been so quick to forgive as you obviously are. Thank goodness you are all OK. Something like this always makes you feel so violated.
jen says
loved the 1st paragraph almost wished I was there with you
Poor little Jackson
bless you Janice what a great Mummy you are turning this experience into a learning one for Jackson
i would have rung the police though
Ruth says
wow. this post spoke to my heart.
thank you for sharing.
it’s these hard things that shift our focus upwards. to the one that remains the same forever. and in Him is no darkness at all.
so glad you were all ok! shalom.
Barbara H. says
Great lessons from a negative experience. Glad you’re both ok!
Susanne says
So glad you and Jackson are safe. Beautifully written post and what a wise mom you are reacting immediately the way you did and turning it into a life lesson for Jackson.
Fiddledeedee says
Out of the mouths of babes “They can’t steal God.” And that’s the truth. Beautifully written post!
DeeDee from “It Coulda’ Been Worse”
Janna says
I’m glad that you are safe! I’m sure the experience was a little unnerving, but like you said, our true treasures are in heaven. And…we do store too much in our purses! 🙂 Great perspective.