Dear Thief,

Or is there a different name you prefer to be called? Because honestly, I don’t want to call you that. I don’t think people should only be named by what they have done. Heck, we would all have pretty ugly names if that were the case.

But the truth is, I don’t know what to call you other than by what you have done. In fact, I don’t know anything about you at all.

Well — except that you have expensive taste in electronics, excellent taste in bourbon, cheap taste in jewelry, and that you violated my absolute favorite place in the world.

You went through clothing items only meant for my husband to see and touch and you took 10 years worth of treasured photos, videos, and important documents.

You got away with items worth thousands of dollars — but more than that, you brought darkness into a place where we only welcome light.

You see — my husband and I have only lived in this country for 10 months — and we’ve spent a lot of time making our rental house a home. But maybe you know that. Maybe you have been watching us do it? I don’t know. 

But maybe what you didn’t know is that making it a home wasn’t just about what we filled it with physically. Oh no. Our home is so much more than that.

Our home has been filled far greater emotionally and spiritually — than physically. It’s become our sacred and safe place. The place we love, fight, and share meals. The place we long to come back to after a long day at work or a weekend out exploring the world.

But now it doesn’t quite feel the same. We don’t feel as comfortable at home anymore. And we don’t exactly feel comfortable leaving it either. It’s a really vulnerable place to be. I can’t help but wonder if you have experienced it yourself?

Have you ever laid in bed crying because your body was too afraid to get out for the day?

Have you ever had to wipe away fingerprints from windows or vacuum up tracked in dirt — from someone you’ve never even met?

Have you ever had this burning desire to clean every inch of your house, just for the feeling of reclaiming the space? Just to – for even a minute – feel like someone actually cares about the space?

Have you ever hung Christmas lights mid-November because you needed a reason to smile at your home?

You probably assume I hate you. But, I don’t. 

Maybe you have hungry children at home. Maybe someone made you do it. Maybe drugs have taken control of your decisions. Maybe you needed quick money. Maybe you crave a good adrenaline rush.

I don’t know why you did it. And I don’t hate you for what you did. In fact, we have chosen to forgive you for it.

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t hurt by what was done…

Not by the material things you felt you needed more than we did. But by the emotional way you took from my sacred place.

Was the stuff special to us? Sure. But it’s fleeting — we know that. We won’t take it with us when we leave this earth. And neither will you.

You see, this earth is just our temporary home. My husband and I are living here until we get the undeserved privilege of going on to Heaven. Did you know that the exact same offer is on the table for you too? And that nothing you’ve done past, present, future can change that?

It’s true. And it’s all because of this man named Jesus. (He’s the reason we forgive you by the way).

In His word, it says “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy but I came that you may have LIFE and have it abundantly”. Isn’t this great news?! It’s sure sweet to my heart (and home) today. 

So please come by again. We would love to tell you about our Father in Heaven and what He has done for you. I guarantee it will be the best news you have ever heard.

I’ll be happy to put some soup on the stovetop — maybe throw a pie in the oven, if you would like. We’ll make a spot for you at our table. It’s one of our favorite things to do. 

Our door is always open, whoever you are. Can we try this again?

Next time, we just prefer that you knock.

Sincerely,

Brittany Fine

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The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10