The other night, my husband heard people talking outside of our house. It was nothing unusual, but they were rather loud, so he took a peek to ensure everything was okay. When he looked out, he saw a police car and two officers talking to a neighbor who lives in our cul de sac. When you see the police or police car in front of your house, it's never good news. My husband waited until the cops left to have his turn with the neighbor. But while he was waiting, our next-door neighbor texted my husband about the current events.
He shared that while he was walking his dog, he noticed something unusual. He caught someone on our other neighbor's back porch trying to enter the home. Guests usually enter your home through the front door, not the back, unless you have a backyard party. The dog walker waited to alert the homeowner to ensure he wasn't assuming the worst. However, he observed the perpetrator not knocking on the door but just attempting to open it. He quickly picked up his dog so he wouldn't make a noise and called the neighbor to warn of the possible invasion. Thankfully, after a couple of attempts, the person left. The police came shortly after to take down the pertinent information.
When my husband told me the news, my initial response was to pray, declare God's hedge of protection over our home, and ask angels to be dispatched. My husband walked around the house and checked all the doors and windows to confirm everything was locked. We enabled our house alarm and reminded our son to keep the house locked and always alarmed. We thanked God we weren't the target of this invasion. I didn't want fear to set in, so I remember falling asleep while praying.
The following day, my husband and I discussed what else we should implement to keep our home safe: more timers, more lights, a radio or television on when we're out, signs around the house displaying our alarm system, etc.
Two days later, my husband received a text from the neighbor who spoke to the police. He shared the good news. It wasn't that the police caught the intruder but that he wasn't a criminal after all. He found out from the neighbor who lives on the other side of him that his adult son had invited a friend who had never come over before, and his Uber driver dropped him off at the wrong house. The friend was instructed to go to the backdoor if no one responded to the doorbell ring.
Whew! What a relief to find out the intruder was not a scary criminal but a welcome guest (to the wrong home.) Even though our house is safe and we're not victims of crime, I told my husband I would still like to keep our plan for safeguarding our home.
Thankfully, this was a false alarm; however, it felt like a warning for us physically and spiritually. Some ideas on how to keep us safe:
Physical: Have a strong neighborhood watch who can be your eyes and ears.
Spiritual: Surround yourself with trustworthy people who can tell you if they notice ungodly intruders and permit them to speak honestly without growing offended.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda]. ~Proverbs 27:6 (AMP)
Physical: Keep your lights on so it looks like someone is home.
Spiritual: Keep your lights on so darkness cannot enter.
Be prepared, and keep your lamps lit. ~Luke 12:35(NASB)
Physical: Display signs of your alarm system or Ring camera for all to see.
Spiritual: Let everyone know you're a follower of Jesus.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ~Matthew 4:14 (ESV)
Physical: Be aware of your surroundings, and don't be afraid.
Spiritual: Be alert, and do not allow fear to guide you.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
~1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)
Physical: Pray over your house. Walk the perimeter of your home and invite angels to stand guard over it.
Spiritual: Pray over yourselves always.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord'speople. ~Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
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