Blessing the Guilty?

I sat down at my table Monday morning, stunned as I held my iPhone in my hands.  It was stolen right under my nose when we were traveling a couple of weeks ago at a Starbucks.  (I knew my coffee addiction would get me someday!)

I left my phone on the coffee bar as I reached to grab an iced Americano for Wes from the barrista behind me.  I grabbed our drinks, quickly ran out, and within minutes realized it was missing.

Almost instantly, I had a "peace" in my spirit that it was gone.  I was moderately angry with our Thief, and supa dupa frustrated with me.  OK, Lord, I trust you. We spent the rest of the day talking to managers, cancelling service...consumed with the Event.

We left San Francisco a few days later, one iPhone lighter.  Now, I could go on and on about "I realized how much I didn't need it; or go on and on about how dependent I am on technology"...but I am just sure you already thought that, or have heard it before.

The interesting thing is a couple nights after we got home, I couldn't sleep and I found myself praying "under the influence" of the Holy Spirit and had a well of grace grow inside for my dear Thief. 

"I forgive this child of yours Lord.  Lord, would you bless the person who stole?  Would your conviction would rest on them so heavy that they return the phone for their own good?"
What was that?
For their good?  Not getting caught in sin causes the heart to harden.
But what about me and my iPhone and justice?

Luke 6:28, "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you"

Romans 12:19, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends...It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”

says the Lord."

This so goes against what I feel, but OK, once again, I trust you Jesus.  I can't claim to know you and NOT trust you at your Holy Word, believing, and living out of every word that comes out Your mouth.

And so I bless.  "For their own good, Lord, that he or she would not steal any longer, but they would see something on my phone...a bible verse, a song, my blog, that would usher them into your kingdom!  Yes, Lord, bring a miracle to a thief I pray. That this would be the day he or she says, 'No more!'"

The next day Alice and I are at the park and my "loaner" phone (which is driving me CRAZY btw) rings. 

It's Wes. 

The manager from Starbucks in San Fransisco called him, "You won't believe this, someone ran in and quickly returned an iPhone to us this morning...this was the last number that was dialed.  Can you describe the phone to me?  Thanks.  I'll get it in the mail to you."

Seriously?!  God did you change another heart?  I know He changed mine.  Suddenly I found myself rejoicing just as much for our miracle-UNthief as I was for my returned iPhone!

Maybe I'm dreaming, but I pray I get to meet this person in heaven and we can talk about what went down in those 5 quiet days between the Event and the return.