If Heaven's Not My Home...

Then indeed, "what will I do?" I know crime is common and that it's everywhere. There were two little girls recently shot to death while walking down a familiar, remote country road in a Podunk, "nobody heard of it" small town of only a few hundred people. It can happen anywhere, and not any place on this sinful planet is safe. I know, I know.

Today, though, I'm feeling like crime is closing in around my family. We have so much petty theft in the neighborhood, it's unbelievable. The kids can't ride up on their bikes to come in for a drink without putting their bikes in the closed garage for fear that they'll not be there when they return. Yesterday Josiah had his big ole Nerf gun outside. It was on the ground where several were playing. A neighbor boy came, picked it up, and began throwing it to the ground in an effort to destroy it. There hadn't been any altercation, just the destruction. When I went to "take care of it," the boy (7 or 8 yrs old) just kept cussing and ignoring, while riding away on his scooter.

Child crime is rampant. The same boy tried to steal Joshua's $200+ race bike from our garage while the kids were out playing this week. A couple of weeks ago somebody dumped a stolen bike at our front door. After turning it over to the police, we came in contact with the person from whom it was stolen. She wanted to find the guilty party so she could press charges. The boy who stole it is 10 or 11. It's definitely not his first heist. Last night a neighbor boy with whom we are friendly was held up at knife point with several of his trick-or-treating buddies for a little bit of change. When their parents called the police, the police said that they had received several calls about the same children doing the same thing to others. Joshua was questioned recently by the police about several small neighborhood fires that have been set. He did know of a boy who was involved. The same boy (10 or 11) is also known for theft and making small bombs. He live a few houses down and across the street. He also shot out several windows from the two vacant houses across the street from us. When questioned by the police he accused our boys and the same neighbor who was held at knife point last night. The police never came to our door. I'm sure they know who the trouble makers really are.

You know the sad thing is that these juvenile criminals are just little boys. One of them comes from a home with an abusive father, a convicted brother living under house arrest, and a mother who used to care but has given up with discouragement. Another is one of several children who have different fathers and never know if they'll have a place to go. The house is locked until somebody with a key gets home. He's been seen after dark riding his bike because he couldn't go home. Tragic. So tragic!

Joshua called from work this morning to tell us that the bank across the street from Chick-fil-A was being robbed. The police arrived and hopped out of their cars with guns drawn, evacuating the area in the process. Turns out the bank manager was held hostage overnight as part of a plan to rob the bank this morning. The story is here.

I'm glad to be allowed the grace and mercy to know God. I am so glad that Heaven is surely safe from heartache and sin. With God as the gate keeper, I know it's secure. Can hardly wait...