Betrayal

Here's my story about how I got stuck.

A few months ago, we got a call from our banker. She told us that someone had tried to cash some checks from one of our accounts. The teller was suspicious and placed a hold on the check and told the people the money would be available in a few days.

One of the checks was made payable to one of her "friends" and the other, to someone else she didn't know. To make matters worse, they'd forged her name on them. We were shocked. She was furious. This boy, the one she did know, (we'll call him "Bob") isn't the smartest tool in the shed:

   1.  The checks were for $ 5,000.00 each (that's a felony).

   2.  They used their own names and put "school" in the memo.

   3.  They were for an old and unused account.

We felt terrible for her, but she didn't feel bad for Bob at all, because he was a jerk. However, she felt terrible for his brother because he was a good guy, and he'd feel terrible when his brother went to jail.

We had a long waiting process because the bank needed her to positively identify them through a photograph while committing the crime. Meanwhile, there were lots of trips to the police department and Dania had to keep it a secret from everyone. We live in a small town and a lot of kids were going to be upset when the news broke. She was still talking to Bob's brother and finally the picture of the boy trying to cash the checks in the drive thru lane came in.

Bob's brother was in the front seat with him.

It was devastating for her. When the boys were arrested, the whole truth came out. There were four culprits, she knew all four, and one of them was a regular at our house. He was actually the one who'd stolen the checks and given them to Bob.

It wasn't until a few days ago that the underlying truth of how this betrayal affected me:

I'd offered gracious hospitality to this boy in all ways. I'd fed him, given him rides, prayed for him...
I also forgave him from the deepest depths of my heart, but he will never be welcome again. My daughter has lost all trust in people.

And deep in my heart, the devil took this opportunity to get to work.

My home hasn't been as open to strangers, my heartfelt trust isn't given as freely, and my love for teenagers has diminished. I also hadn't acknowledged my own anger. I'm angry that someone would deliberately hurt my child during what's been the darkest time of her life.

That's when I became aware of the damage the enemy had done. Now, I'm letting God heal and restore what'd been taken away. It's hard work, but if anyone can understand betrayal, it's Jesus.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Adoration

   What makes you adore Him?

It's stories like the one about Jesus feeding the five thousand that draws my heart nearer to him.

"When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns." Matthew 14:13

What happened to cause Jesus to withdraw privately to a solitary place?

Murder. His cousin John, the one who paved the way for him, had just been beheaded and his head was delivered on a platter to a dancing girl. It was an act of revenge prompted by Herodias, King Herod's wife.

Imagine yourself in this position. You just find out your cousin's been brutally murdered. How would you feel?
                     
                                 What would you do?

Though he sought out a quiet refuge for himself, this is what he did...

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion them and healed their sick." (v 14)              

When evening came, and after working all day in a state of grief, the disciples asked him to send the crowds home to eat. He said, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." (v 16)          
       
He always put the people before himself and met their needs. This makes me adore Him.

   What draws your heart closer to Christ?