Our house was broken into…
This past Thursday seemed no different than any other Thursday, until I got back home that evening. After dropping my wife off at the ministry center for worship team rehearsal, my 2yr old son & I headed home to eat our take-out and to get some late evening rough-housing in before it was bedtime. But as soon as I stepped in my front door I immediately noticed something was wrong. When I looked across the kitchen I saw that my back door was ajar… it had been kicked in and the door itself was busted. I can’t even begin to describe the sick feeling that hit my gut at that moment, as I thought to myself, “My home has been invaded — and the intruder could still be in my house.”
Immediately I grabbed my hand gun, took my 2yr old son to safety, and swept the house, garage & attic several times to make sure no intruders were still inside.
I called Damita and told her what happened, and needless to say, she was very shaken up by this. It was one year ago this month that we moved here to plant a new church, and in that time we’ve had a church trailer stolen from the parking lot of our church offices location, and now — our house broken into. Thankfully, not many things were taken. The stuff they took were things they could walk away with on foot without drawing too much attention to themselves. All in all, I’m most grateful that we weren’t home and that my family is safe and well.
We called 911 and the police came and made their report. Several families in our church offered to allow us to stay over at their homes until we got our back door replaced the next day. I left it up to my wife see how she felt about staying home that night or not. My wife is a strong, godly woman; but at the same time, I knew she felt very violated by this situation. Ultimately she said she was fine with staying home that night.
Let me tell you, sleeping in our house on Thursday night after the home invasion – with a partially secured, “busted” back door – was very awkward. When my wife walked to the bathroom, I was right there with her. When my children left the living room to go to their rooms, I went in before them and did another security sweep under their beds and in their closets (that was probably sweep 9 or 10). I assured my family that we were safe and that by God’s grace all was well, but quite honestly, it was still a night of sleeping with one eye open.
I went through a million scenarios in my head… What if I had been home? What if I had been playing on the floor with one of my children when the intruder kicked the back door in? How would my family respond if I had been killed? How quickly could I have gotten to my hand gun to protect my myself and my family? What if I had killed the intruder, how would I have slept that night? (that answer is easy ~ I would have slept REAL good!) What if my wife was there alone? How would she respond, find safety, or protect herself?
After a few hours of running scenario after scenario through my mind, I found myself boiling with anger. I thought to myself, “Next week I’m gonna take a few days off, park my vehicle in the garage and silently sit in my house — gun in hand — praying that they come back.” Thankfully, God’s prevailing grace overtook me and I banished that thought from my mind.
Ultimately, Damita and I knew this was an opportunity for us to practice the gospel. Our faith is rooted in Jesus Christ, not in the accumulation of possessions. Our joy is sustained through the love & faithfulness of our great God and King, not by the absence of adverse circumstances. And so with pure hearts we pray for those who broke into our home, and we continue to pray for gospel renewal of our city, not because our home was invaded, but because our great desire is to see God glorified throughout Clayton and Henry counties — and beyond.
Soli Deo Gloria.
So sorry that you came home to this. But so grateful for your response – I admire how you trust in God for all things. We’ve all learned something through how you are responding.
Hey Maurice,
Sorry to hear that man! I know EXACTLY what you are feeling. We got robbed a few years ago while away on Christmas vacation. It is a really terrible feeling. Then, we got our Van stolen two years ago. So, really, I know what it feels like. I am sorry you’re going through this bro.
Nathan
Thank God you’re all ok…your blog was very touching and i know how you feel ..this same thing happen to me and my old room mate last year..i did not sleep well for a week…when your robed like that they take some of your peace along with the things they steal…
Thank the lord you werent home and that the family is okay. Your family will be in my prayers.
That’s why hubby and I love Hope Church. Your initial response to the break in was very, very real. However, your current stance to pray, with pure hearts, for those who broke into your home is the essence of what Hope Church is about… Loving GOD! Loving PEOPLE! Sharing HOPE!
Wow Pastor! I know the feeling all to well. That just goes to show how much in GODs will you are. The devil can’t stop what GOD is doing! Stay in that will Pastor, you are a great testimony and a encouragement against adversity. Num.6:24-26 is my prayer for you!
Great Story Pastor I Love the fact that you were initially thinking just like my husband but then just had to pray. Most people would not admit that. I am home with my children daily and am very “well prepared” for a situation such as this. We have run thru the scemarios several times like a fire drill. Damita is a strong woman and definitely trust you to protect the family. I feel that is very important especially in this type of situation. Praying for you all.
Excellent blog Pastor! Thanks for your show of grace and setting the Godly example amidst strong adversity.
Pastor Maurice, You are covered, NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SHALL PROSPER!!!!!
Maurice,
I’m glad that you guys are safe. I noticed that when you entered your home you picked up a hand gun. Here’s the advice I got from a local gun dealer. I went looking for something that my wife could use. He suggested a .410 shotgun as then she wouldn’t have to aim, just point and shoot. I am taking that advice.
Just in case it was your wife who enters first next time.
What? I totally can not believe this. I’ll have to keep my doors locked now.. I am so surprised.. Im sorry to hear that pastor.
Hey I am praying for you guys because I know how you feel…our home was broken into back in Nov. and my 2 yr old daughter and I had just left the house and wasn’t gone maybe twenty min. and came back and they had busted in my back door and took everything that they could walk out with. I was the same way anger but thanking God the whole time that we were not home when it happened and that they were gone when her and I pulled up…still it is a feeling undescribleable.
Enjoyed reading that blog. I am thankful that you all are safe, and encouraged by your response. I pray that you are able to shepherd your family safely and wisely through the rest of this situation!
I quickly read your blog about the home invasion and I must say I enjoyed the blog. I could feel ya’ on the waiting for the intruder to come back. You have got to be from the North. That’s what I would think of doing. Loved the hand gun part, walking the wife to the bathroom and the mutiple checks of the house.
I sure pray that the violation feeling has left and you never have to feel that again. Hate to say it but I need an gun myself. I spend everyday home and even though we have a dog and an alarm that I turn on throughout the week; I still need the extra protection.
Thanks for sharing. You are a “real” pastor keeping it real. The next time my church is out of town and I don’t go; I have to come visit you all.
Amen, Pastor Maurice and Damita, I am so glad that you and your family are safe. We serve an awesome God!!!
i am so sorry about your place being broken into. i pray that the authorities catch them. most of all i am glad no one was hurt
Hi Pastor Maurice, Harry and I are very sorry to hear of your ordeal. In January of this year, we had the very same experience. We left for church on a Sunday morning and upon returning home we found our back door had been kicked open. Our refrigerator was standing open and food was all over the kitchen floor. The perpetrators took things that they could carry away without much notice just as at your house.
We don’t own a gun(although we have entertained the thought), but we did call the police and checked out the house.
We were shaken up and angry, but like you, I prayed for those who had broken in. I asked God to forgive them. They may have need the things they took. I don’t measure my life by things so I didn’t stress over the loss. We cleaned up after the police left and also slept in our home with a broken back door until the next day.
We will pray for you and your family and we know that God will lead you to a place of comfort and security once again. Our God watches over us at all times and we need to have faith that he will take care of us and the people who broke in to our homes.
Much Love to you and your family!!
Sorry for the violation Pastor. – Our home in Smyrna was robbed in 1989. Then I bought a piece and hid my car laying in wait to pop a cap in a burglars rear. In 1996 our Jonesboro home was also broken into.
About a month later my Dad in OH asked me how do I know that what I have is real (Christ). I told him about Smyrna-89 and J’B-96. Instead of anger and wanting to shoot them the new me called the family together to pray for the robber in 96. It show me that I was a new creation and gave me an opportunity to witness to my Dad. “Praise the Lord!” …and don’t forget to pray for them if you have not already. In doing so I know the young bucks will find themselves at a crossroad (to choose which way they will turn).
p.s. All is well in Kabul…