Behind the pistol.

There are sometimes places and situations in life that we never expect to find ourselves. That is just the way life is sometimes. Even if we make all of the right moves, even if we make all the right plans, all the right choices- there will be times of trials. And while those times are scary, difficult, and not at all what we'd hoped for- I find comfort in the fact that knowing no matter what the circumstance- or no matter what the outcome- the Lord is there to hold us through it.

Many of you may or may not have heard that yesterday our family was robbed at gun point on the way home from the bank yesterday just a few blocks from Village of Hope. Todd, Addisyn, Kaden, Carson, Havyn and I had gone out that afternoon to run some errands. Just normal, everyday stuff- stopping by the market for fruit and running into the bank to exchange some money for projects being done throughout the week. About 4 minutes after leaving the bank and a few minutes from Village of Hope, in a busy area with cars and people everywhere- we were suddenly surrounded and trapped in by two cars as two males with a gun jumped out and began screaming and pointing the gun at our heads.

As I have replayed those moments over and over in my head like the scenes from a bad movie- more than ever before I am certain about one thing- how fragile our lives are and our need for the Jesus.

 A lots of things go through your mind when you have a gun pointed at your head. The screams of your children from the back seat, the pleading of your husband next to you and the angry words coming from the one holding the gun... and yet somehow, over all of the noise of this world- I could still hear my shepherds voice reminding me that He was there. Oh how faithful our God is. And through that reminder, I was able to take my focus off he gun and look instead into the eyes of the man holding it.

 In that moment, instead of feeling fear- I felt an even greater passion to share Jesus with this lost world.

Because in this mans eyes, I saw a soul who was lost, hurt, and desperate. Desperate for safety, desperate for love, desperate for peace- and the money that he took will never bring that to him. The only place he will ever find what he was longing for is in the arms of the one who loves Him no matter what crime he committed.

We spent a lot of time praying as a family that night. Praying that daddy would be able to let go of the guilt of not being able to protect his family and the Lords money, praying that our children would have those images erased from their little minds and praying for these men to somehow find the Lord.

 Sometime later that night as we were counting our losses and going over the list of valuables that was taken, Addisyn reminded me that inside of my purse that was taken was a bible...

and I couldn't help but to call that a gain.

Would you please join us in praying for these men?

Lord, thank you for who you are and for what you have already done for us regardless of who we are and what mistakes we have made.  Lord I pray for these men who stole from you and I ask your forgiveness upon them. I ask Lord for them to somehow come to know who you are.  Lord forgive me for the times in my life when I have missed an opportunity to share you with a stranger, with a neighbor, a family member or a friend- for that may have made all the difference. Forgive me for the times I have failed to be bold and live my life in such a way that people couldn't help but to long to know you more. Forgive me Lord for looking the other way when I see someone in need of you. Lord may you use our lives and everything we have to bring you glory. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.