We Interrupt This Blog...

For some most un-Christian thoughts.

On Friday night, my husband's car was robbed by a group of teenagers who went on a vandalization and stealing spree all through our neighborhood. They smashed pumpkins, tore down hanging baskets and smashed them in the street, slashed tires, and even stole the tires off one guy's car! They stole my husband's Ipod and his Blackberry. Because they were in his car, we can claim them on homeowner's-- but combined they were worth $500 and guess what our deductible is? You guessed it!

As I was running on Saturday morning, I found his Blackberry. From the looks of it, they had smashed it, run over it, and just destroyed it because it was of no use to them, then thrown it out on the side of the road. I held that Blackberry in my hand and wanted to cry. But I was too angry to cry. I ran home holding that mangled Blackberry the whole way, feeling the sharp point of broken metal pressing into my palm.

So, now because of some stupid (yes, I said stupid), bored, angry young punks, we have to come up with $500 we didn't have to replace something that we owned. And yes, he shouldn't have left valuables in his car-- but we live in a safe, quiet, peaceful neighborhood where these things (usually) don't happen. And so, we had a low degree of fear or caution where I guess we should have. And so, I am angry and definitely not filled with Christian love for these kids. Perhaps I will feel more inclined that way in a few days. I know that God has a lesson in here for me somewhere, but I am not wanting to learn it right now. I am choosing instead to feel the anger, to hold onto it and stroke it lovingly.

Contrary to my sin-filled, graceless response, my husband wrote a beautiful, eloquent post about how he has been able to pray for whoever these kids were. Not me. I would like to string them up by their hee-hees. And yes, I did say that here on the old blog.

Edited to add: Anonymous commenter gently reminded me that the items we lost were luxury items-- and I guess at face value that appears to be true. However, my husband uses the Blackberry for work, as he is in sales and that piece of equipment serves as his lifeline to the office when he is away. It will have to be replaced because of that, but his company will not pay for the replacement. And yes, the Ipod is a luxury. But he waited for two years to make that purchase-- because we can't afford luxuries seeing as how we have six kids who like to eat regularly. He put Christmas and birthday money together from various people so he could buy an Ipod-- and I so respect him for always putting his family's needs ahead of his own and foregoing his own desires. It speaks volumes about his character to me. So, I want him to have an Ipod, as he works hard for our family and he "deserves" (though I hate that word) an Ipod. To be able to purchase another one is not something we can just run out and do. We are not people who indulge in luxuries very often. So when what little we have is taken from us, it just feels like a huge injustice. And that is why I am good and angry. You all should pray for me.