Going to Virginia was our first leap into the world of travel nursing. I was quite nervous about the whole thing. We left our house in MA in the hands of a friend. We made him an offer to stay there at our house for a very minimal fee. All we asked was that he care for our place while we were gone and take good care of things. Well, this is not what happened. To keep an unpleasant memory brief, our house was in ruins when we got back. It cost us over 2000 dollars conservatively to fix all the hurt done to our house. We were left with the personal struggle of why. Why would a brother in the Lord do such a thing to us? We were of service to him in letting him stay there for such a modest cost and yet he trashed my home. It brought my wife to tears and me to several pity parties thrown in my own favor. I felt it was my fault for trusting him. When all is said and done, the Lord made it clear to me that we did the right thing to offer to him to stay there. He is the one who did the wrong thing. The Lord calls us to forgive. It really sticks in my craw to forgive someone who acts as if they don't even need forgiveness. Jesus is our example of true forgiveness. It was a very hurtful thing that was done to me and my family. Why would my loving Father allow it to happen to us? I believe that question is still not fully answered. I do have some ideas though. I remember early on how God was gently showing me that the way he was treating my house is a sign of how I treat this body he has given me. It is a gift from God and I tend to misuse it. I feel that I am a better man now that the Lord has carried me through an abuse from a brother. He has brought me to the side of forgiveness. I have set him free of his debt to me. The repercussions of how we behaved while this happened and after it happened will have an affect on the children and how they deal with others in the future. The full story is not yet written......this is what the Lord says to me; I am in control. Mind your business. Love one another and forgive those who harm you. God has richly blessed us and I have much to be grateful for each day. When I think back on the whole ugly mess, I feel sadness for him. He harmed me and my wife and my children with his selfish acts. I have responded in kindness and love. What is the price to teach that type of lesson to your children? God continues to rain down blessings upon us. I pray for him whenever I think about him. I hope and pray that my children learn to always respond in love towards others. That although some people will hurt you in life, do not let it skew your attitude towards others. Shake the dust off your feet and press forward.....loving one another; just loving one another.