Disclaimer: I like to talk about God. It makes some people uncomfortable. I’m not going to try to change your beliefs (and I welcome your opinion), nor am I going to criticize your beliefs, but please know that you’re going to get a heavy dose of the Man Upstairs while reading. Enjoy.
So yesterday, Molly and I were having a completely pointless argument on our way home from lunch and running some errands. We continued this pointless argument even after we got back to my apartment. I was pacing while Molly sat on the couch. I glanced down and realized all of the cords by my television were unplugged. Then it hit me: Where the hell is my 360?!
The argument was immediately forgotten, and Molly and I began to search the house. When all was said and done, my Xbox, its games (all 30 of them), Molly’s iPod, and my new iPod were gone. We realized that the lower half of my front door was damaged, like it had been kicked in and then closed again – ostensibly so that Molly and I wouldn’t notice there had been an intrusion.
I feel more violated than anything else; the idea of someone coming into my home uninvited makes me feel powerless. I can’t say I’m all that angry. I’m in shock.
Blessedly, Molly wasn’t here alone when the fuckheads decided to raid my house. The idea of anything happening to her is unimaginable to me. I’ve been through that once already; I don’t think I can handle it again.
In the end, all I really lost was my 360, the games, and my new iPod. And it’s tax season. J
Everything happens for a reason. I’ve accepted that adage as indisputable fact. Whenever I’ve encountered adversity, that saying has gotten me through.
I still have both of my computers, both TVs, and my old iPod. Something strange: when whoever it was that broke in grabbed my iPod, they had to lean over my laptop to grab it. It was obscured by a few notebooks and pens, but all someone would’ve had to do was glance down to see it and steal it. God would not allow them to see it.
I look at this as kind of a smackdown. Every single time I’ve gotten a little too involved with gaming, God takes it away from me. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I lost my 360 and retained my computers. I had taken the 360 for granted so much that it took me more than ten minutes to realize it was gone.
About five years ago, I made a promise to God that I would meet him halfway. He has kept his end of the bargain. I had gotten so enamored with Mass Effect 2 that I was neglecting my writing. Indeed, if my games hadn’t been stolen, I would probably be playing instead of blogging right now.
God has allowed me to do so well for myself that I actually have a spare iPod touch to replace the one that was stolen, and I’ll be getting another one in a couple of weeks. I take the robbery as my reminder that my desires have a price, and the price is that I can never, not for a second, forget that God kept His word to me in delivering me from homelessness, and I in turn must use what He gave me to succeed. If I become too lax, I will receive a wakeup call.
So no, I’m not bitter about the robbery (although I will watch my back, change my habits, and inspect my house upon coming home every night). God will deal with those who wronged me in His time; it’s out of my hands. The incident brought Molly and me closer and made me realize I need to focus on my writing.
The amazing thing is that I’ve done well enough to replace my 360, and a few of my games, in couple of weeks if I so desire, but that’s not the road I’m supposed to take. I won’t be purchasing another 360 until I get Uprising: Redux completed.
So I got robbed. Worse things have happened.
For now, I need to focus on the positives and get back to work.
God bless, and thanks for reading.
Wish me luck. Hope all is well with you. 
