This is me with Maria
24 January 12
Maria is a woman whom we met very briefly. She came into our trailer and took our phone and my handbag one afternoon while David and I were lying on the bed, watching home movies on the computer.
Acting on instinct, David leapt out of the trailer and gave chase, not knowing who or what or why he was running. When he pounced, he found himself jumping over Maria, causing her to roll on the ground, landing harmlessly. His phone flew out of Maria’s hand, and this was the first time David realised that she had attempted to take something from us.
When I emerged, I discovered David picking Maria up off the ground and apologising for knocking her over. I approached her, still not comprehending what was happening. David waved his phone at me, but I didn’t understand then that she had tried to steal it.
Soon, the story became clear as Maria confessed to me. She said she was a drug addict and was just feeling desperate for a fix.

Maria’s a mother of two children and felt shame that she had targeted us because we obviously have kids as well. I kept reassuring her that I didn’t blame her for what had happened, that we weren’t angry with her, and we weren’t going to call the police.
Finally, we said good-bye to each other. Maria went off to see if she could score from a friend she had her father looking after her children in anticipation of getting high and I returned to the trailer to marvel at the encounter with David.
We are amazed at how David reacted from instinct, leading to the full recovery of our belongings. We still don’t feel like like this was a close call or that our belongings were at risk. Rather, we had this encounter with Maria as an experience to enrich us all.
Nothing has been taken from us. We are safe always and we have nothing to fear. This is our testimony.
1 · Janet · 3 February 2012, 00:33
You showed Maria who Christ is! We have absolutely nothing to fear. Your instrincts were right on to forgive her and love her and I bet she is still reeling from what she saw in you and David. I am blessed to ‘know’ you and to have found your blog and family. Keep on doing just what you are doing.
2 · Charity · 3 February 2012, 01:25
I think she was probably experiencing withdrawals. Addiction is so powerful it will drive people to do things they would never ordinarily do. Rather than looking to get “high”, in most of these cases, people are just trying to feel “normal”. Some withdrawal symptoms are worse than the worst of flu’s, and last much longer. A person can go through withdrawals for weeks to 30 days. Imagine being able to take away the suffering by one “fix”. Addiction is horrible, and many addicted lose most or all of their family and friends through it for things like stealing. Love it, keep hugging.
3 · Charity · 3 February 2012, 01:30
…I want to amend and say some psychological withdrawal symptoms last for months, and most people, once dependent on a substance struggle with it the rest of their lives. It is a chemical change that occurs in the brain and the brain forms around it! Most people who are addicted can go for years in recovery, but then with one use of their substance return to full-blown addiction, even 10 or 15 years later. Opiates, cocaine, and alcohol are the worst for this…why it is called a chronic “disease” nowadays.
4 · Lori Starks · 3 February 2012, 13:04
What a beautiful moment that you were blessed to be able to share with that woman! It is the picture of Christ in that she did what was wrong against your family and you reacted with love and forgiveness. Praise Jesus for His love and forgiveness that is never deserved but freely given!
5 · Carolyn · 3 February 2012, 16:20
Wow! Bless you for the way you and David reacted… Drugs=no good!
6 · kathy · 3 February 2012, 17:24
Well done good and faithful servant….What a wonderful story to share – I think you should write a book :)
7 · Jade · 6 February 2012, 22:34
Thank you so much for this kindness. My brother is a drug addict and I personally very keenly feel, on his behalf, your grace in this instance. It’s surely a scourge but they’re also people with suffering families, and as one member of one such family, I can’t tell you how much seeing this means to me. Thank you for showing Maria love and compassion.
(Took my URL down for this comment, because my brother’s story is not mine to link to my blog…but I’m the HK Jade)