I was robbed, God was glorified.


FLASHBACK!

It's July 19, 2016  My birthday! and in 3 days I'll be traveling to LA for a conference!

I had just finished eating a delicious birthday meal at an Italian spot called Vapiano. Downstairs from Vapiano is one of my favorite cafes, Stories. After saying goodbyes and finishing lunch I decide to sit down at the cafe tables and work on my lesson entitled 'Revolutionary Mercy' based on the letter of Philemon. I had gotten some historical background; Philemon, a leader in the Colossian church had a slave named Onesimus who had robbed him and ran away. After running, Onesimus comes in contact with Paul and, in fact, becomes a Disciple. Paul is sending Onesimus back and requesting that Philemon extend complete mercy and take him back as not only his slave, but a brother.... An incredible account, but I had no idea how to relate this to my lesson. So I started praying, God, help me to understand mercy more, help me to relate this to my life, help me to explain it to others so they can see you. At that very moment a teenage girl runs by my table, steals my purse and runs off with her boyfriend. Is this a joke?--It was no joke. All that went through my head in that moment was, your passport! run! I get up, jump over the divider between myself and the exit, and run. I'm thinking many things at this point. Feeling like I am in a movie, wondering what God is doing in this situation, I just start yelling, "someone stop them! they have my bag!" The girl hands over my bag to the boy and he runs right, she runs left. I followed my bag. Soon a bicyclist pulls up next to me, "what do you need?" he asked. "Just get my bag, please!" I said, and off he went successfully stopping the boy and my bag along with some other helpful locals. Many more things are racing through my mind at this point. I was headed to go meet some friends for a bible study, I was now late, who was I going to call, what should i say, I've just been robbed? sounded so extreme. My arm was bleeding, as a man trying to help out accidentally tackled me and my elbow went scraping on the cement..I couldn't stop thinking about how these teenagers- I could be their cousins, they could be my brother or my sister.. I knew as soon as the adrenaline died down a little, this was ABSOLUTELY my answered prayer. What was I going to do in this situation? There were many temptations in my heart and mind to stereotype them, label them in my mind with many different sinful and unmentionable labels, but I knew God was showing me what it was like to be wronged, and what it is like to show mercy.  --at many points in my life, I've robbed God. I am those teenagers. And yet God doesn't label me, he doesn't condemn me, and he never gives me a permanent reputation that follows me- he gave me Jesus, my mercy, my freedom from the past, present and future sins I commit. I knew God was showing me the way to mercy for others, was remembering the mercy he has shown me.

A few months later:
I get a call, "Hello, is this Ashley?" said a woman on the phone.
"Yea, this is her." I replied.
"My name is -----, I am a social worker for Sweden and was wondering if you would be willing to have a mediation meeting with the Girl who took your bag? She's requested to meet with you to apologize." she stated.
WHAT? I get an opportunity to meet the girl that got away? I get to see her again, now face-to-face? This was something I had never heard of nor seen before.
"Of coarse," I replied.
After hanging up, I knew that this was not only the opportunity to face my 'Onesimus', but it was the chance to show her God's power in prayer.

October 14, 2016
The meeting was with me, the social worker, a translator and the girl. I was asked to explain what happened that day from my perspective, then she was able to explain what was going on from her perspective.We were able to ask questions or speak on anything we felt the need to. I can definitely say, this was an amazing opportunity to explain my answered prayer to not only her, but to everyone in the room. The meeting went well, I had forgiven her and her boyfriend since the day it happened, so it was not awkward to see or talk to her, but I was definitely nervous to see her response to everything. I understood this was to teach me and also give me the chance to extend my friendship and heart to her as well.

Following the meeting, there was a court trial. After everything, it was awesome to be able to reach out and talk to the girl again and even her mother. God had answered my prayer and now I got to see the outcome of what mercy looks like-- I gained friendship. I'm not sure what will be to come in the future, but I'm convinced that this was one of the most wild answered prayers I have seen, God is good.

..Mercy triumphs over judgement. James 2:13



-Ashley

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