How a Near-Robbery Showed Me God's Love

(Yes, three posts in one day. Don't get used to it! ;) It may be another few months before there's another post!)

On Monday, I walked away from my desk at work for a minute. Literally ONE MINUTE. When I came back, there was a client in front of my desk and a strange man I'd never seen before behind my desk. I was a bit disoriented with the scene...but helped the client and asked the man behind my desk what he was doing there. With a shrug as if to say "I'm not sure," he responded, "Applying for a job...?"

I wasn't buying it...but he came around to the front of my desk as I sat down. I stalled him from just walking out of the office by giving him our typical application spiel. I took in his description as I leaned over, nonchalantly, under my desk to pick up my large bag I take to work It was lighter than usual, so I looked inside - my purse was GONE!

I knew he had something to do with it missing and he knew I was onto him....so, he began to run out the door. I ran right behind him, screaming very loudly (all my years of vocal training has finally paid-off....I can project my voice very loudly!), "Give it back, give me my purse back now! STOP!!!"

I chased him down the stairs and up the street. But, once we got to the street, he ran much faster than me...I was quickly losing him. But, I was still chasing him and screaming.

Then, all of the sudden, I saw a co-worker run past me. Then another. Then another. And, then another. And, in a mix of fury, relief, frustration and anxiety, I collapsed in tears in the street - leaning up against a parked car. And, then a fifth co-worker was running past me, saw me and brought me over to the sidewalk. A sixth one (one of the owners of my company) met us on the sidewalk, put his arms around me, let me cry/shake/hyperventilate and walked me back to our building, encouraging me that the guys would catch the thief and get my purse back.

The guys did come back - with the thief's backpack - with us all thinking that my purse was in there. Still crying/hyperventilating, I tore open the backpack, only to find a ballcap, a box of frozen Hot Pockets (we think he stole them from our freezer), a small brown paper bag, and bolt cutters. No purse.

I immediately got on my computer to try to cancel my credit cards and bank account. All I could think is that in addition to my wallet, this thief now had my address, my phone and my keys (to my house and car). While I was frantically on the computer, another coworker said, "Is this your purse?"

It turns out it was - with my wallet and everything else still in there! The would-be thief didn't get my purse! We think that the client must have come in about 30 seconds after the thief and stunted the thief's attempt - so the thief just threw my purse to the corner. :)

Now, based on what I've said so far and the title I used for this, I bet you think that simply because my purse wasn't stolen, I'm more aware of God's love for me. But, that's not the case. While I'm extremely relieved that all of that drama and panic turned out to be for nothing, that's not what illustrated God's love for/to me.

Instead, the fact that four co-workers simply heard my screams and, without a second thought, chased after the would-be thief, with no regard for their own safety, did it. I'm in awe that they were willing to fight for and defend me. That's mostly why I collapsed in the street - in relief that I wasn't alone having to chase down this guy...but that four people I know only from work and don't spend much if any time with outside of the office, went to bat so quickly and readily for me. Then, the other two guys who comforted me and allowed me to feel weak, vulnerable, scared and upset - that was amazing too.

I feel like it all goes in line with what the Lord's been showing me and trying to teach to me - that I am loved, loveable, cared for, seen and not alone. That I'm allowed to be weak and show others that I need them. That when I'm willing to let my guard down and show people that I need them, I won't be neglected or ostrasized...but embraced with open arms.

Even later that day, I found myself apologizing to all six of those guys - for screaming and making a scene for what turned out to be nothing. And, all six of them told me I had done exactly the right thing and there was nothing to apologize for. Also, I found myself unable to adequately express my thanks to all six of them - a mere "thank you" felt so inconsequential. Their brave, strong, kind acts did something profound in me.

Maybe I'm, finally, beginning to tap into feeling and embracing what it means to be loved....because I know that what they did is so meager in comparison to the Lord's and to my close family and friend's love for me.....