My phone was snatched the other night. It took me this long to experience such. It would have taken longer, or not at all, if only I have wised up.
I got careless. But then, I realized that the way I carry my stuff was carelessly acceptable in the streets of Ayala, but not in Pedro Gil. But then again, in this day and age, carelessness is no longer acceptable, wherever you are.
It was simple. I have this multi-pocketed bag, and I kept my phone in one zipper compartment, and my coin purse in one button pocket – both in front for easy access.
And so I thought. It was easily accessible to pickpockets as well.
But my Father was and is faithful. I already had a faint discussion in my head which LRT station to get off. I reasoned that the safe station would require more walking, plus the fact that more students are waiting in that station – making my getting off difficult. Besides, I shouldn't be afraid. I argued that fear is debilitating. “What am I afraid of? God is with me.”
That would have been equally fine if only I adapted to the scenario of pressing crowds and lurking hoodlums. I should have tucked my phone inside my bag. By then, I would have not lost a blessing the Lord has entrusted to my care.
Nevertheless, I thank God I was not harmed. I didn't even feel the person get close to me. Hearing other stories, it could have been worse. I thank God I was not mugged.
But I pity the person who did it. For one thing, he might have been disappointed to just snatching a Nokia, not even a touch-thingy. But in light of eternity, the curse of the thief is on him (or her).
And he said to me, "This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished. The LORD Almighty declares, 'I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. It will remain in his house and destroy it, both its timbers and its stones.'" (Zechariah 5:3-4 NIV)
And so I prayed:
Dear Lord, I pray for the salvation of that person who stole my phone. I pray that you saved his or her soul so that he or she will stop stealing. And Father, I pray that you will give him or her a ministry of giving away phones and communication access to those who desperately needed it.
I am reminded of Arthur Berry. (from Simple Truths email)
Back to being carefree, I admit my foolishness and stupidity. I already knew better but still, I didn't care. Tsktsk.
Either way, something was taken from me. As such, I can pray to acquire a better phone, at least twice that of my stolen phone.
The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. (Job 42:12 NIV) (Compare with Job 1:3)
And I also pray for wisdom to take care of a much more sophisticated smart phone. No more unnecessary risks. The prudent sees danger and takes refuge. (Pro 22:3)
I got careless. But then, I realized that the way I carry my stuff was carelessly acceptable in the streets of Ayala, but not in Pedro Gil. But then again, in this day and age, carelessness is no longer acceptable, wherever you are.
It was simple. I have this multi-pocketed bag, and I kept my phone in one zipper compartment, and my coin purse in one button pocket – both in front for easy access.
And so I thought. It was easily accessible to pickpockets as well.
But my Father was and is faithful. I already had a faint discussion in my head which LRT station to get off. I reasoned that the safe station would require more walking, plus the fact that more students are waiting in that station – making my getting off difficult. Besides, I shouldn't be afraid. I argued that fear is debilitating. “What am I afraid of? God is with me.”
That would have been equally fine if only I adapted to the scenario of pressing crowds and lurking hoodlums. I should have tucked my phone inside my bag. By then, I would have not lost a blessing the Lord has entrusted to my care.
Nevertheless, I thank God I was not harmed. I didn't even feel the person get close to me. Hearing other stories, it could have been worse. I thank God I was not mugged.
But I pity the person who did it. For one thing, he might have been disappointed to just snatching a Nokia, not even a touch-thingy. But in light of eternity, the curse of the thief is on him (or her).
And he said to me, "This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished. The LORD Almighty declares, 'I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. It will remain in his house and destroy it, both its timbers and its stones.'" (Zechariah 5:3-4 NIV)
And so I prayed:
Dear Lord, I pray for the salvation of that person who stole my phone. I pray that you saved his or her soul so that he or she will stop stealing. And Father, I pray that you will give him or her a ministry of giving away phones and communication access to those who desperately needed it.
I am reminded of Arthur Berry. (from Simple Truths email)
Arthur Berry was described by Time as "the slickest second-story man in the East," truly one of the most famous jewel thieves of all times. In his years of crime, he committed as many as 150 burglaries and stole jewels valued between $5 and $10 million. He seldom robbed from anyone not listed in the Social Register and often did his work in a tuxedo. On an occasion or two, when caught in the act of a crime by a victim, he charmed his way out of being reported to the police.
Like most people who engage in a life of crime, he was eventually caught, convicted and served 25 years in prison for his crimes. Following his release, he worked as a counterman in a roadside restaurant on the East Coast for $50 a week.
A newspaper reporter found him and interviewed him about his life. After telling about the thrilling episodes of his life he came to the conclusion of the interview saying, "I am not good at morals. But early in my life I was intelligent and clever, and I got along well with people. I think I could have made something of my life, but I didn't. So when you write the story of my life, when you tell people about all the burglaries, don't leave out the biggest one of all... Don't just tell them I robbed Jesse Livermore, the Wall Street baron or the cousin of the king of England. You tell them Arthur Berry robbed Arthur Berry."I used the term ‘pity’ and not ‘compassion’ because I can’t do anything to help that person. It’s not like I can use a tracking device and have a sting operation to catch that person. All I can do is pray, but for now, it is enough.
-=w=-
Back to being carefree, I admit my foolishness and stupidity. I already knew better but still, I didn't care. Tsktsk.
Either way, something was taken from me. As such, I can pray to acquire a better phone, at least twice that of my stolen phone.
The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. (Job 42:12 NIV) (Compare with Job 1:3)
And I also pray for wisdom to take care of a much more sophisticated smart phone. No more unnecessary risks. The prudent sees danger and takes refuge. (Pro 22:3)