Pulling into the garage with a van load of sleepy kids, I unstrapped the boys as my wife carried our youngest into the house. She immediately stepped back out and whispered, “something’s wrong.” I tip-toed into a confusing scene. Every cabinet door wide open, a television on the floor, and a cold wind blowing through the busted-in back door.
We hurried next door to call the police. Not one to wait, my neighbor grabbed a baseball bat, handed me another, and headed out. “Let’s go check out your house.” Sometimes crazy emerges in a crisis.
Empty. The sound of the garage door scared the thieves off, scurrying away with what they carried. They stole several items, including cash, a video cassette player, and a brand new pair of running shoes—my “preaching shoes.” I paid for those Nikes with an honorarium from speaking at a local church. I prayed a curse of blisters on the thief.
That night shocked me in a bad way. Our home invasion left me scared and frustrated and without restful sleep for weeks. Thieves invaded our home, putting my family at risk. I never anticipated such a breach in our quiet neighborhood.
So when Paul says, the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, I get his drift. I won’t see it coming.
While the day of the Lord might surprise me like a thief, a joyous result actually follows—a new life in eternity. Paul tells us to encourage one another with these words.
No need to moan about my preaching shoes any more.
I Thessalonians 5 in week twenty-five of reading the Bible cover to cover
Photo by Jilbert Ebrahimi
I remember this. So scary.
Yes, and big thanks to Joe for coming over and helping fix our door, put up outside lights, and help secure our house again!