Woa Nelly-Police Just Left

[Ron]

I came home from dropping off the wife and kids at Bible Quizzing, and had already been cussed out, shown a ring finger, and had a lady swing her car door at me in the mall parking lot on the way to Bible quizzing, when I got home and found someone rifling through our stuff!

I called the Police as this was the second time I caught this woman going through our stuff.
Last time was last summer when I got up to go to work and there she was enjoying a smoke and saying that she wanted to get out from the rain.
I think she is a lady of the evening.

A couple of days after that encounter, I found some stuff stolen from just underneath the carport.
I then put up a "No Tresspassing" sign.

Well, tonight there she was going through the stuff and all of our stuff was strewn about (she said she was looking for "Crossword Puzzles") I called the cops.

She walked away. I told the Cops I did not want to lay charges, but just did not want her to be taking advantage of allowing her the first time to come in from the rain then swiping stuff from me once, and then coming back a second time.

Part of me feels bad for her, part of me just wants to say "Stay Away" if you
are going to steal from me.

*****SIGH*****

Did I do the right thing?

[Jekyll]

Try laying hands on her next time in the Name of Jesus and pray for her to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues (yourself too). It probably would work either way - if she were hungry, she could get the Holy Ghost or she might think you're crazy and not come back...

[rgcraig]

She's coming in your home?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

Try laying hands on her next time in the Name of Jesus and pray for her to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues (yourself too). It probably would work either way - if she were hungry, she could get the Holy Ghost or she might think you're crazy and not come back...

Ah, yeah. Get caught laying hands on a lady of the evening underneath are carport with no witnesses!

[Ron]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

She's coming in your home?

Underneath our carport.

[Jekyll]

Originally Posted by Ron

Ah, yeah. Get caught laying hands on a lady of the evening underneath are carport with no witnesses!

Okay, have the missus do it...

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

Okay, have the missus do it...

I had just dropped her off.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Ron

I came home from dropping off the wife and kids at Bible Quizzing, and had already been cussed out, shown a ring finger, and had a lady swing her car door at me in the mall parking lot on the way to Bible quizzing, when I got home and found someone rifling through our stuff!

I called the Police as this was the second time I caught this woman going through our stuff.
Last time was last summer when I got up to go to work and there she was enjoying a smoke and saying that she wanted to get out from the rain.
I think she is a lady of the evening.

A couple of days after that encounter, I found some stuff stolen from just underneath the carport.
I then put up a "No Tresspassing" sign.

Well, tonight there she was going through the stuff and all of our stuff was strewn about (she said she was looking for "Crossword Puzzles") I called the cops.

She walked away. I told the Cops I did not want to lay charges, but just did not want her to be taking advantage of allowing her the first time to come in from the rain then swiping stuff from me once, and then coming back a second time.

Part of me feels bad for her, part of me just wants to say "Stay Away" if you
are going to steal from me.

*****SIGH*****

Did I do the right thing?

How did she get in?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Ron

Underneath our carport.

ah....open I presume...not a garage? Have you thought about getting a big mean dog and chaining it to the carport?

Oh yeah...and only feed it every other day

Ron,

Perhaps God sent that lady to your carport for a reason. I understand your reaction, it's natural. However, what is unnatural, or should I say supernatural, would be to see the situation through Jesus.

This is not an upbraiding, rebuke, nor a condescending judgment. Please just here me out.

First, consider what Jesus taught us about those that steal from us. Nobody wants to be stolen from, it's not natural. Howbeit, we should suffer it with faith, and even offer whatever else is of need, but I don't think this means that we will always have to give it. Part of the reason I believe that Jesus taught us to "offer our coat" is to invoke a reaction from the thief to the love of God in us. Maybe they take it, maybe they turn away, and maybe it wins them to Christ. "...freely ye have received, freely give."


Think about what her reaction likely would have been if you had said lovingly and a matter of factly:

"Is there anything else here that you need besides a crossword puzzle?"

Chances are she would recall her former theft and realize your knowledge of it, and maybe, maybe feel the shame and guilt.

That might just have worked the ground to start taking about Jesus. That might win her, or drive her off forever. Sinner's are often superstitious about messing with those they know serve God.

What a testimony it might have been had you won her to the Lord through this course of action. No laying on of hands suddenly, just a starter conversation.

Now then, instead of no trespassing signs, maybe you could put up some tracts, some verses, and the like. If she's going to steal something, put a Bible and some Bible studies out as bait. Maybe a note on the Bible:

"If you are going to steal something, take that which is of the highest value."

Just some ideas for you bro, I know hind site is 20/20. Maybe you'll get another chance, or you are to learn from this one something of value for the future. God Bless, Theo.