Eyes Wide Open

A storm came rolling in today.

Not a weather storm, but a life storm. It came at a time that was meant where the enemy was wanting me to feel defeated and for a moment he won but only for that brief moment before God swooped in and prevailed and brought me back to life. 

Just last night our ladies Bible study talked about the storms that come and how sometimes someone else's storm leaves effects on your life. And today we were left affected by someone else's storm. Today my eyes were opened in ways the enemy probably didn't want them to be opened. 

We woke up bright and early this morning to arrange bringing our foster boys back home. We had a day ahead of us. Registering to school, buying shoes, books and material. Maybe head for an ice cream at the new ice cream place in the city. We were being optimistic about bringing them back home, in my heart it's not what I wanted but for right now it's what had to be done. My heart was already on edge. 

It was going good and it was time for shoe shopping. I stay in the truck with the kids while hubby and our staff go buy the shoes. Sitting in the truck in Haiti can make for getting really thirsty, so naturally I buy some water from the street guys selling it. So as I sit distracted it happens in a blink of eye. A grown man jumps in the back of our truck and rob my children. They are now in complete meltdown mode and honestly the next 5-10 to minutes are a complete blur. I would like say what they took had no importance but here's the reality. When we moved to Haiti my children were troopers about them not being able to bring all their belongings. A lot of it was sold, donated or packed away for undetermined amount of time. Then they came to a place where they had no yard to play in, they aren't allowed to leave the yard alone and they had no friends. But what they did have was this tablet that allowed them escape to it when they just wanted to feel "normal". 

I can't say I am angry because I'm not. I cannot express that gratitude I have for God today for keeping my children safe. I tear up every time I think of the situation and how much worse it could have been. I tear up thinking that for a brief moment I allowed Satan to enter my mind and tell me I didn't protect my children good enough. Not only could I no longer protect the boys that went back home but I couldn't even protect the ones who were right beside me. But just that God opened my eyes and said "You cannot protect them forever because I am their PROTECTOR!" Wow, imagine the weight lifted when you hear those words. 

So yes today we lost a fun toy that now the kids will have to go without, yes our privacy was invaded, yes my children and you could say us too are shaken up and chances are going out will be very stressful for them but what an opportunity we were given to share God's love, grace and compassion today to our children and to the people who stood by and watched the incident. 

We want to thank everyone who prayed for us today, we ask that you continue to pray for us over the next couple of days. 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble". - Psalm 46:1