The Theft of My Daughter's Graduation Gifts

The Theft of My Daughter's Graduation Gifts

Proverbs 22 verses 22, 23 "Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them."

In June, 1997 my youngest daughter, Eva, graduated from Pierce County High School. I was so proud of her, especially since as a single parent I had raised her from age six. Her brother had graduated in 1995, and her oldest sister in 1992. All three had made it through, despite many adversities and obstacles thrown in their paths.

Eva received many graduation gifts, including money, from her family and friends. I gave her a bottle of Sunflower perfume (she had always liked sunflowers). Eva was invited by Chris, one of her classmates and her third cousin, to go on a family trip to Panama City Beach, Florida, about 300 miles from Blackshear. They were going to stay a week in a beach cottage. I used to go to Panama City Beach often when I was in the Army and stationed at Fort Rucker near Dothan, Alabama. It sure was a beautiful place.

Eva called me when they arrived, and I told her to have a wonderful well-deserved vacation. She had not been there two days when I received a phone call from her. Someone had broken into Chris' car and had stolen Eva's pocketbook, and several other items. She was devasted because all her graduation money (about $250) was gone. She said, "Daddy, they even stole my Sunflower perfume and my minature high school diploma.." I told her to calm down, and I would drive over and get her. I then prayed for her and asked the Lord to give her peace and assurance of His love for her. In an hour, Eva called me all happy. Someone gave her $50, and she decided she would stay.

Eva and Chris had a great time, and when she came home, she started to work. In front of the First Baptist Church on Main Street in Blackshear, someone rear ended her car. She was not hurt and the damage was estimated at $250 (just a scratch or two on the car). The other person's insurance company wrote her a check for $250...replaced the graduation money that had been stolen from her. I bought her another bottle of Sunflower perfume.

As I thought on the unfairness of this situation, I thanked the Lord for returning unto Eva what was stolen from her. I then wrote a letter to the editor of the Panama City Florida News, described the situation and asked that the thief return her minature high school diploma at the very least. She had already received new driver's license and had no credit cards. About three months after I wrote this letter, I checked my mail and there was a small envelope with a Panama City postmark. There was no return address. I opened the envelope and inside was Eva's minature high school diploma and nothing else. As tears came to my eyes, I thanked the Lord that He hears prayers and can return what the thief has stolen.

Eva believed in her Daddy's prayers and her faith was rewarded.

Proverbs 23 verse 24 "The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him."

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier