March 14, 2010
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There’s a Thief Among Us
Thanks to every one of you who have held us up in prayer, since my last post.
We have, yet, one more dilemma on our hands.
The wonderful maid we found – she’s been stealing from us.
Yes. I’m sick. I would have never guessed.
We weren’t sure, at first, because there had been the two different cleaning ladies AND we also suspected Annamarie had lost the things that were missing. We owe her an apology.
Just this last Friday, our girl finished early, pleaded a headache (which I also was suffering from) and, sympathetically, we told her to go home early.
Yesterday, Jesse went to get something he KNEW he had put on his little table in the kitchen on Friday (before the maid arrived Friday), and it was gone. The new maid is the only person, beside the people who live here, that has been in our house for several weeks. We’ve not had ONE visitor.
I quickly called my nurse who visits me once a month, she is also a Christian. I asked her what to do and how we should handle things. She told me she KNEW the cleaning service wouldn’t pursue our lost items (which we are sure have been sold somewhere and won’t be recovered, anyway) and our best bet was to call the police.
As I said, we don’t imagine our things (four different items) will be recovered. But, she also suggested we confront the maid when she comes on Tuesday and tell her we want our things back or we will call the police and report her.
What’s the right thing to do?
Here again, we are faced with a Christian response and the question, “Do we, or do we NOT, extend mercy and grace?”
We received advice that it was God’s will for us to respond to our family member (who has hurt us) with grace. BUT, we were also advised that, we should pursue the family friend who has decided to not repay their debt to us.
Now what?
Now a third issue.
Pulling the police into our lives . . . threatening someone . . . . leaving it all alone and telling the service what happened and ask for a THIRD person to clean our home???
Bonded or not, it will be one person’s word against our own and we don’t expect to recover our stolen property. We are just glad it was the value it was and not something of greater monetary value or sentimental value.
Jesse said he’s so tired of people. So tired of trusting and being burned.
I agree – to an extent. What is so sad about the maid is that if she had told us she had a hardship and needed help, we would have done what we could have to help her. Why steal? Ya know?!
It’s been a lazy weekend. I woke up with a grossly upset stomach this morning and we didn’t go to church. I hated to miss because of the time change. I didn’t want anyone to think we had overslept. Rissy’s stomach bothered her yesterday and mine today. So, I’ve done as little as possible.
I washed some dishes that wouldn’t fit in the dishwasher and gave Little Bit a bath standing at the kitchen sink. He dug out three times today. Jesse’s tired of him, too! The last time, he crawled back under the fence and we didn’t have to go get him. That was the time his ID and collar were off because of having just had a bath. I hope in a few months he settles down, now that we’ve had him neutered.
C’mon, Little Bit, the grass isn’t greener!!!!
I did some baking on Friday and Saturday. I used a sugar cookie mix (Pillsbury??) and added lemon peel and lemon juice. Very tasty.
Yesterday, I made a fresh apple cake and an orange cake – more like loaves of bread.
I need to work out my issues before I eat myself into oblivion!
Be Blessed ~
Comments (12)
that’s terrible, Cherylyn! i’m so sorry. there’s nothing that makes you feel so violated as when you are stolen from or something is broken into – especially if it was someone you knew and trusted. i’ll pray God gives you wisdom~ along with your other requests in the last post. life can just.. well, can just throw us one curve ball after the other can’t it? lately i’ve had some situations where i feel exactly as you said – “Here again, we are faced with a Christian response and the question, “Do we, or do we NOT, extend mercy and grace?” i was just thinking of the Scripture that talks about if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God.. and then the verse that says the wisdom that is from above if first pure, peaceable… and yes, sometimes to extend mercy and grace does not mean we are silent~ we need wisdom on what to say and how to act… but there IS a time for words and actions.
i’ll be praying. for sure. love you friend.
Well that stinks. I’m so sorry to hear this. What a big drag. I can well imagine how you and Jesse feel at this time. These things can just chip away at you and cause that weariness of the humanity around you. I’ll be praying for God to use you guys in this situation as well as wisdom as to what to do. I agree with Amber “we need wisdom on what to say and do but there is a time for words and actions.”
In spite of these hurts and disloyalties against you…your sensitivity towards others does come through, you have a tender heart so I do pray that God will protect that. I’ll be thinking of you and praying you work through these issues…but I imagine the family is enjoying all that home baking!
Praying that God will give you wisdom.
Boy thats a hard one. If someone was hungry and stole food from you-I would say forgive and forget–but it doesn’t sound like thats the case here. I think when she came to work next I would say-We have somethings missing from when you were last here–we are willing to give you the chance to bring them back before we go forward with anything else–or something like that. She needs to be accountable for her actions–hope it works out for you. Those cookies starved me !!!
I hate hearing about your theft! I will be praying that God’s Will leads you to the right decision. Blessings.
Since my husband is up to date on what is ok to do and not do; I asked him what he would suggest in your situation. He said to out right accuse her or insinuate that she took something without out proof could get you in trouble with lawsuits for blaming, etc. He suggested that you set up a hidden cameras and place similar things of value where she could take it to kinda set her up…then if she takes it you have proof.
That is a very touchy situation…will be praying that you do the right thing.
Tina
WOW. You are getting slammed. Cherlyn, PRAY HARD. Only God knows for sure what this woman. needs–Justice–or Mercy and Grace?? Or maybe both?? I will pray for much wisdom as you have a need to keep your family and possessions safe, as well as a responsibity to call this woman to repentance.
Lord bless you, I pray for you to have wisdom too. Very happy pictures of the girls playing.
I’d go with what Tina said about setting her up, I’ll be sayin prayers for ya girl!
Oh! That is such a disappointment! I know how you feel. I tend to trust people and think the best of them. I believe that is what God wants of us, but it is so hard when you get taken advantage of. There is a scripture that talks about being wise as serpents but harmless as doves. I think I would talk with this young lady and show her compassion. But, I would also remind her that stealing is against the law, and that if she doesn’t “come clean” about things, you will report her. Such a shame. May God give you wisdom and also comfort you.
May the Lord give you His wisdom and also just send along some encouragement.
After everything…to have this happen also from a service that was suppose to be helping you. I am so sorry!!! I wil never understand some thing. I pray that all turns out well for you. Blessings…..