Thankful for Thieves!

“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.

(Mateo 6:19-21).

Charita y yo had just finished our last study for the day. It had been another very long day; it was late. And, we decided to “grab” a bite to eat. We recalled an earlier contact….she owns a “Thai restaurant” in which we had visited earlier and her plan was to open a second restaurant in a different part of the city. She had invited us for a Grand Opening ………. if we were able. The day matched up, so, off we went. We arrived late for the Grand Opening (it was about 10:00 p.m.), but, our new friend was ready to welcome us. It is very normal for Mexicans to eat “cena” between 9 and 10 p.m. Our time together was GREAT! It seemed to be the right place for us to be at the moment. All went well until we returned to our vehicle directly in front of the restaurant.

Yes, you know it. “THIEVES”! The passenger-side window in our van had been broken. My briefcase was gone including 3 Bibles, all of my printed study materials, and a number of copies of the churches’ songbooks. Charita lost a bag containing all of her makeup and a couple of medications. And, they had actually stolen our coats! One of these coats had a name imprinted on it; but, that did not appear to be a problem.

As we scraped the broken glass from the seats and floor, I could not help but remember………..Matthew 6. “Ah! This is nothing,” I thought. “You did not take anything that can’t be replaced here.” “There is MUCH, MUCH more from where this came,” were my silent thoughts and words.

In fact, while I was thinking and cleaning, Charita said with smiling teeth together, “Well, at least, they received multiple copies of the The Word!”

And, you know, she was right. The MOST VALUABLE thing they had taken was THE WORD. Who knows if they will read it. (Our lessons are translated in both English/Spanish……..my sweat, HA)!

We are Thankful For Thieves. It, has indeed, been another good lesson for us: “Where exactly is our treasure?” Is it on Avenido Tepanzolco in some van? …. Or, is it “On Things Above?” A briefcase, some makeup, a few coats, a small stereo, etc……..NOTHING compared to our TREASURE in Christ Jesus!!!

¡Feliz Navidad!

Pablo y Charita