Saturday, we received word that my grandmother had been assaulted for her purse in her own driveway, in a relatively tame area within the suburbs of Syracuse. She was taken to the hospital, held for observation overnight, and then released after satisfactory test results. My mom was able to travel there, and all her siblings were around too, so it was good for them all to be together. She's now home, in good spirits, and getting around ok.
They actually caught the guy who attacked her, and even recovered some of the money he'd stolen. One of the investigators apparently called my aunt, and told her that he had said to the guy [my paraphrase, as I don't know the exact words], "that woman you assaulted, she's still in the hospital, but she wants you to know she forgives you." Apparently, the man just broke down and cried. Powerful.
When Jesse and I had first heard what had happened, he suggested we pray. I was so angry, I couldn't close my eyes (an odd defiance, to be sure, but the truth). He prayed for her health, and that something redemptive might come of the situation. I was still quite upset. Yes, taking food because your family's hungry is one thing, but hurting a woman for her money - that's another. At least, in my mind it was. By the second time we prayed together for the situation, I was able to fully participate; to truly ask for redemption to come out of the messed up event that had occurred.
As I've thought about this, I think about Jesus' words in Matthew 5.21-48, where Jesus challenges his listeners' view of the law. Over and over, he says, "You have heard this action is wrong - but I'm saying it's your HEART that's in the wrong place" (clearly, my paraphrase). Where was my heart? Crying for justice, for vengeance, if I'm honest. It was only when confronted with Grandma's forgiveness that I could begin to see the broken situation for what it was: depravity, desperation the likes of which I hadn't personally experienced. Does it excuse this man's behavior? Of course not. But it goes a long way to bring my heart to where it needs to be - saddened that this happened at all. Committed to orient myself toward God, to leaving vengeance in God's hands. Cognizant of the ways I allow my heart to be in the wrong place, while doing "right" things.
3 comments:
So sorry to hear about your Grandma ~ Mary Lynn called today to tell me about this happening.
I'm glad your Mom is with her.
Glad she's OK. Excellent post.
Aw Jess. I'm sorry that happened, glad she's okay, and that you're okay. And glad that you have a husband who brings you before God when you feel like you can't.
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