Living Here and Now: An Evening at Shoplifter's Bible Study

They walked in the door covered with shame. Apologies tumbled out as they shook Don's hand and gave back the items they had stolen from our store. Heavy footsteps carried them to where I stood in the back, waiting for everyone to gather in the circle of chairs. I smiled and reached out my hand and said, "Please don't ever steal from our store again!"

More apologies from lost souls.

Several years ago, Don learned to organize our store in such a way that he can quickly tell when an item is missing. Between his diligence and our video camera system, he's caught quite a number of shoplifters. Amazingly enough, most of them purchase items at the same time they're stealing. So credit card information leads to their identity and the video to police response.

He nabbed three about a month ago and after an initial greeting, we sat in a circle as Don passed out Go Fish Bibles and began his intro to Shoplifter's Bible Study.

"When I first caught folks who stole from us," he offered, "I wanted to pinch their little heads off. It felt like they'd rooted through my underwear drawer, violating me. But a short time later, I was convicted by a verse, Matthew 5: 43 - 45."

He had everyone find the verse in their Bible and read, "You have heard it said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."

Tears fell. Their remorse overwhelmed me. But I actually fought a giggle.

I knew from years past that after Don spent about thirty minutes making them face their sin head on, he would offer them a deal of a lifetime. Instead of conviction, probation, or possible jail time, they could attend Shoplifter's Bible Study for four weeks and if they showed up and participated, he would drop the charges. It was that simple. And I wanted to bust with the good news as they squirmed, apologized, and wiped away many tears.

I stayed quiet instead. And while Don talked about the severity of their crime, I relished the deal the God of heaven made with us. It's good news: Accept Jesus, live for him and in return have access to freedom from sin, joy in sorrow, and more than enough hope for every day.

I know all that, yet I squirm in shame, guilt, and remorse, unable to grasp the fierce reality of the cross many days.

But when Don finally told them the deal and deep relief altered their countenance, for a moment, their joy was mine. Their get out of jail card the same as the one heaven offers me.

Tears dried. And they willingly agreed to return and complete their first assignment: to read the book of John. As we held hands and prayed I asked that the God of heaven would give all of us "power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that we would be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Eph. 3 : 18 - 19)

In the end, only two of three came back. The other, who always claimed health issues, had energy for shopping but not Bible Study. She didn't take the deal. Some just don't.

But while others were at the beach this week for spring break (leaving me drooling over their photos on FB), we hosted the last of the four gatherings Monday night. The couple even brought a friend who wanted to meet the Christian man who had offered his friends such grace. When we huddled in prayer for the last time, they're restitution was complete. Redemption theirs for the taking.

They are grateful to Don. But we hope they realize they really should thank The One who touched Don's heart and compelled him to offer the undeserved grace that has changed his life.

While long retail hours some times leave me struggling to appreciate our sunshine store, I have never been more proud of my husband than when I watched him speak life to those who stole from him. He planted seeds, discipled lost souls, and hopefully made an impact they will never forget.

It would be nice to "get away from it all" some day, but perhaps staying put was indeed the better choice. For now. For today. For the change that was made.

Read more about our store at: Go Fish Clothing and Jewelry and stop in for a visit some day: