My week turned out a bit different than I expected…                                           

A story of how one event can suddenly change everything.

Last week I have been scammed via the internet and lost more than 4000 euros. Yes you heard that well, 4000 euros! I used the visa card from my parents because I did not have a visa card myself. The money therefore also went from my parents bank account and not mine. Still unsuspecting, I did this with the intention to return this money afterwards when my advance / deposit would be refunded. However, I never received the money back. I was devastated by grief, what should I do now? I was desperate. Not even for the reason that there was 4000 euros away, but because of the fact that I had used this money from my parents. I was so scared but I knew I had to tell the truth. I was at my wit’s end. I did not dare to go home anymore, I was panicking. I came home and confessed everything. Ready to face my consequences.

But then the way my parents dealt with the situation, my misstep was truly amazing, indescribable. I can simply not bring it under words. So much love, so much grace. And why?

I could not believe what was happening, did they hear me well? Guys hello, I just told you that I used your money, made online transitions, the money is gone, and you will never see that money again. I will have to work for it and only then you can have your money back,… Did you hear that? Are you not mad at me? Do you not want to kill me right now? I couldn’t stop crying! I disgusted from myself so much. I never felt so hopeless, broken and ashamed.

But grace was overwhelming me and I couldn’t handle it. I didn’t deserve this at all! I should be punished, why did they stay so calm and understanding?

For me there’s only one explanation: the loving, carrying father heart of God. Only the love of God could have done this. My parents hope and faith in God was showed by the way they treated me. Through their actions a saw straight in the eyes of God. For me, they were really the living example of who Jesus is. They cared for me the way Jesus cares for me. Their hearts were full of compassion, like Jesus would have had compassion. They saw through my sin / mistakes, like Jesus do. They forgave me like Jesus forgives me.

Then a day later we sat at the dining table. We were all having dinner together and I think my dad saw that what I had done was still bothering me and he said: Katrien, you will always be my daughter, no matter what you do or did will ever change that. I will always love you. Despite of your missteps. A fathers love goes much more deeper than a 4000 euros. I knew he and my mum meant every word of it. Because they already proved that in their actions.

Completely overwhelmed by unconditional love. I understood that this was also the exact same way God looks and thinks about you and me. No matter where you come from, no matter what you did, Jesus will still love you. His love does not expect anything back. Some may see him as an angry, judgmental God. Well, let me tell you this, that’s not the God I know. My God loves and cares so much about me that He even found me worth dying for. Nothing that I do will ever make him say, that’s it! I have had it with you, figure it out yourself. He is never done with me. That’s just amazing!

So Mum, dad, I want to take this opportunity to say I love you guys so much, and I thank you for the amazing example you are, everyday of my life. For loving me, carrying for me, accepting me and even giving me the space to make mistakes sometimes. To walk with me and always be there for me.

Thank you for showing me what it means to have a real living relationship with our heavenly father. Thank you for telling me about Him so that I too could get to know him and experience him in my life, in everything I do. He is so good, and trough Him we have a hope that goes much further than earthly wealth, money and treasures. Our hope is on eternity with him. Thankyou Jesus!

From a grateful heart.

Big hug.