Our Car Was Stolen!
“Be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances!”
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
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As of Saturday morning, this is officially our new family memory verse. We woke up, got ready, grabbed our things and walked out the door, ready to drop off Jediah at my parents house (Tobias was already there) and enjoy a breakfast date! But we were met with a bare driveway where our car had been!! 😳 It had been stolen sometime during the night! To say it was a shock, doesn’t quite explain the weird surreal feeling of realizing its gone, just like that! Along with everything we had left in it! Fortunately, we really hadn’t left much. Nothing of value anyway besides sentimental value. A special blanket I bought in Mexico when I was 10, “Bambi”-Tobias’ favorite stuffed animal, some of his favorite books and some Christmas gifts we had already bought for the grandmas that I forgot in the glove box. I really didn’t have much in my car, but I’ve found myself looking for items such as my favorite chapstick, eyeshadow and my nursing cover only to realize they are gone. But you know what? Those are easily replaceable! The past few days during the minor inconveniences of losing my car and everything in it has lead me to see God’s utter goodness and how blessed we are!
For starters, back in May, I quit my job to stay home full time with our boys! I no longer NEED to get anywhere at a certain time or on specific day! How merciful is our God to allow this to happen AFTER I became a stay at home mom? Our situation could have been so much more complicated had this happened before!
I also consider the fact that while so many people have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 this year, Andrew’s work has been steady and busy through it all! Covid has not affected our financial situation like it has with so many others and I’m so grateful! Praise God!
I have also been amazed at how thoughtful our God was this past week as He gently nudged me to bring in certain items that I typically leave in my car! For example, I removed our stroller this past week when I needed the room to load up items to donate. Or my new baby carrier I bought last month and have been constantly using! I wear my youngest when out and about which frees my hands to shop or help my 2 year old. I had been keeping it in our car behind my seat but for some reason picked it up with all the other things I was bringing inside one day. I vividly remember thinking, “Oh, I’ll just throw this in the back seat like normal.” But for some reason, I decided against it. My hands were full, I was already holding it and perhaps I’d use it inside I decided. Two days later the car was gone and my carrier that I’ve quickly come to appreciate so much was in my room.
So many people asked us about the car seats and our God thought of that too! I still carry the infant car seat inside with Jediah! We lost the base that made loading and unloading oh so easy, but it’s definitely not a necessity like the seat itself! We lost Tobias’ seat, however, not long ago we received an extra hand-me-down seat that we keep in Andrew’s car! We still have a car seat for both of our kids! Isn’t our God so generous?
During the summer months, our son, Tobias always goes barefoot unless in public. (Well, even then….) Because of this, it’s pretty normal for me to leave his sandals on the floor by his seat. Any parent knows that’s usually where they end up anyway before arriving home and it helped me keep track of them better! But he was spending the night at my parents house and we actually remembered to leave his shoes with him this time! I realize sandals are cheap, but he loves these sandals and are very proud of them. Also, his feet have been growing fast and they’ve been the only shoes that fit besides his rubber boots. The Lord thought of the details!
Despite losing our car and some items, we have gained some valuable “things” from this! Opportunities and Perspective!
When Tobias heard someone took mommy’s car he was horrified and asked if we would go fight or kill them! (Yikes! Too many David and Goliath stories maybe?) It gave us the perfect opportunity to explain that instead of being angry or holding resentment toward them, we must choose to forgive them and pray for them!
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.”
Luke 6:27-29
Having our car stolen has provided a wonderful, tangible visual for us to teach our son what God tells Christians to do in these situations! Is it the visual we would have chosen? Not even close, but like I’ve seen, God knows what He’s doing in these situations and has a plan.
This ordeal has also given me a broader perspective! The last few days since we stood gaping at our empty driveway, I have been left thinking quite a bit of all the families who have lost their entire homes in the last several weeks due to the fires out west! Or those who have recently lost loved ones unexpectedly! We lost a car with a few items while SO MANY have lost EVERYTHING. It has made me so grateful while also so empathetic toward those who have quickly lost so much over night. It has been a wake up call to be praying for them!
God has consistently and faithfully provided for us over our last 7.5 years of marriage. Through different situations, job changes, school, moves, etc. He has always proved Himself generous, gracious and thoughtful of the details. We have had so many family and friends offer to lend us a car or a car seat and we are beyond grateful for the support our circle of brothers and sisters have given us!
I also want to mention one thing that we lost that we know was not an accident: a little ESV Bible! Sure, it was a bummer but we really aren’t hurting for Bibles around our home and we are hopeful that the thief finds it and gets a little nudge from the One who was giving me little nudges all week!
We’ve had moments of frustration, calm, worry, trust and stress, but we’ve still been able to give thanks in this new circumstance as we see how our Heavenly Father has looked out for us! We may or may not get our car back, but either way, please be praying with us for our thief!
~Jen
p.s. Don’t leave your car unlocked and DON’T leave the keys inside!!!! 😬😉
