I attend Hope United Methodist church, and we've been collecting food bags for CHUM (Churches United in Ministry) the entire month of March, as anything given in March is matched by a grant. Those bringing in their bags of food items put them in a big canoe just inside the door of the church. The canoe was nearly full. (We had a very successful food drive for CHUM last year doing this.) This weekend someone came into our church--while the pastor was there--and stole all of the bags out of the canoe. We assume they are the same people who had come in earlier asking for gas cards, which we keep on hand to give out, and who then asked for some of the bags of food. We gave them 4 bags of food.
I felt sick when I heard what had happened. It is especially difficult because we are nearing the end of March, the time when all contributions are matched, thereby insuring that CHUM gets even more of what it needs to serve those who are without in our community. I also felt really angry. I found it very hard to let go of my anger and to be able to pray for those people who snuck in and took all of the collected food.
I struggled to put them in the light and to remember that we are all one, that we are all God; my anger was getting in the way. Then I reminded myself that these thieves are already God, they just don't remember who they are, and that, whether or not I can get to this place of serenity has no effect on their holy status. Then I was able to surrender and let go ~ I could pray for them, remembering our oneness. I hope they feel the light coming their way.
I do think they are building up quite negative karma for themselves, however.
