Not Really Broken

Thanks to all who asked about our house and us. Thanks in advance to those who WILL ask and show concern. In order to avoid too many repetitions (you know I'm a man of few words!), I'll post about it here.

Yes, our house was broken in again. Twice in 3 months. In broad daylight again. And again, no one was at home, and none was hurt. We put bigger, better locks. Anti Allen-key ones. True enough they couldn't pick nor break the locks this time. So they broke the hinges instead!

And amazingly again, we lost things that are recoverable. It's a miracle they couldn't spot Sherene's engagement diamond ring....that is irreplaceable! My 2-year old laptop's gone...but I transferred all data to my company's laptop already. My new compact camera's gone. I couldn't afford another DSLR for creative shots, so I got a cheaper one for capturing memories. But now that's gone too. As someone said, "now Hwai Tah's blog will be back to no pictures again!" Sherene lost her handphone with about RM15 credits in it. I lost some cash reserved for next month's payments. My mom tried to comfort us "It's ok lar, they're all money. Just assume you paid for a holiday trip".....until the next day we realised they also stole her slow-cooker (not expensive one). Boy, she was mad and cursed the thieves! Ha!

Most importantly, our spirits are not broken. Not so easy! Though we're rethinking some things. Practical safety measures too. Of course I was very mad the moment I found out after work. But soon after that I didn't know what I should feel or think. I wished I could empty myself into nothingness. So now I know why people do that.

A lot of people said many comments and gave many advices. To me the bottom line is this: He gives and take away. So what else can I say? I also realised this: these two times, I was robbed of some things that can be replaced. What about some things that I'm slowly losing that are irreplaceable? I must do something about those things. And one of the most important things is TIME. We can never recover that.

What am I doing with my Time? This is most interesting because a day earlier I was reading on David Brainerd, the famous missionary to the Indians who died at the age of 29. Though his service was short, his life created massive impact to many others like Jonathon Edwards during the Great Awakening era. His life and mission was marked with extreme struggles and physical sufferings, but one of the scripture verses that gripped him was the apostolic admonition in Ephesians 5:16...

(see V15 first)
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
(now V16)
making the best use of time, because the days are evil.
(might as well read V17 also)
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

I like the Authorized version which says "redeeming the time", which is very powerful. Speaks of "gaining" time in redemptive ways.

If there's any consolation from all these, it is such a lesson.

I'm more determined to build things that cannot be robbed or taken away. What are those things to you and I? We must know.

May God have mercy on those who will trespass my house (if ever there will be a time when I'm at home). Because I won't.