"Stolen water tastes sweet"

This morning I groggily clambered out of bed like so much slow lava, dressed and drove off to my early morning coffee shop time with friends on Friday. We're reading a provocative book on Reformed theology by Herman Bavinck. I affectionately call our group "the Bavincklings" after the Inklings of Oxford. So it's a coffee house, not a pub, but we chew the fat all the same.

Today, after our discussion group finished, some of us lingered afterwards to enjoy each other's company for a few more minutes. It was relaxing. My reverie was cut short by one of the employees asking who owned a blue station wagon (me). Apparently somebody had broken into the car between 6:30 and 8:30 AM by smashing the rear left window and stole my backpack.

Unfortunately for the thief, there was nothing valuable at all.

Unfortunately for me, it was full of papers and materials for my 4th grade Science class, which starts in about a week.

I have been "burgled" (to quote a hobbit) not very often; others I know have suffered more than I. So I know it's not the end of the world, especially since material things are not what bring me peace. My faith in Jesus Christ gives me peace.

At the same time, it leaves me shaking my head. The reality of theft in our world comes home when we are the victims. "Stolen water tastes sweet," says the seductress in the Bible (the book of Proverbs). The lure of theft must be powerful for some people... do they get a rush when they pull it off? Yet the act of robbing someone else often takes more effort than simply living content with what you have. Certainly more risk.

Some small-time thief is out there, disappointed by a bunch of lousy papers that aren't worth anything to him or her. As for me, I miss my papers, but I am more concerned for the soul of the thief.

For his soul has been stolen already, and how will he find it again?
(Mark 8:36-37, John 10:10)