Losing our Lead

In Ludgershall, ten days ago, we had about a third of the lead taken from our roof. I feel like I should blog about it, but each time I think about it I feel angry, or violated, or angry (oops done that one already). We are a close knit community, it affects all of us, we love our church whether or not we attend regularly, and it is hard for me to not feel cross. Furthermore (seeing as I am going to rant I shall resort to bullet points):

• We were just worrying about the finances
• You can't insure for this theft because it is so common
• Lots of lovely people do lots of hard work to raise money for the fabric of the church
• The PCC had predicted this may happen and have been very responsible in trying to prevent it

However, we have just had Good Friday and the words 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do' are ringing in my ears. The words of Jesus seem most inappropriate. What happened to his anger and his feelings of being violated? Maybe he had them and worked through them. Realistically, it is just lead, no one has been hurt, and although we feel violated, I am sure that was not the intention of the thieves. I know that the chances are that if I was born into the culture of nicking things then I would probably do the same as them, and it is not as if I have never done anything wrong in my life.

Lord God,
Give me the gift of compassion and forgiveness,
the desire to move on and not hold on,
and may I share the love of Christ to all....
Amen