The Hamburgler

Michelle and I are going to be taking turns sharing on the blog. Here's what I came up with and it's not irrelevant despite the seemingly misplaced title and picture:) -Renee


I lived in low income apartments in EL Cajon, Ca for the first 10 years of my life. Even now, I can remember the familiar sounds during the night; the steady hum from cars passing on Broadway, the neighbors fighting, and the homeless rummaging through dumpsters.  There are some memories that have grown with me, no matter how much time passes. I can still recall them as clearly as when I first had the experience. 


As a child, I was what some refer to as an old soul. I spent a great deal of time observing others and storing up information. Well, despite the fact that I was awakened to certain harsh realities at a young age, and could reason facts over fantasy, I was, to my great shame, deeply afraid of the Hamburglar. For those of you unfamiliar with him, he was a McDonald's advertising character predominantly occupied with the burgling of hamburgers. I knew he wasn't real and that there wasn't any possible way he could magically appear in our apartment. I also wasn't particularly fond of hamburgers which I suppose could lead to a certain apprehension to a burger snatcher, but, never the less, the fear was planted within me. If I woke up during the night to go to the bathroom I would envision him hiding behind the shower curtain.... waiting. I have found that even in my adult life, fear waits. The subject or situation of fright has changed but it's true validity remains the same. 


When Michelle asked me how I felt about being away from my daughters to go to Africa I said, "Leaving the girls is always hard. The thought of something happening and them having to live without me is unbearable to think.... but I know that I am not their life source, Jesus is. I want my actions to reflect that conviction. So, if after I pray I sense God leading me to go, then I will." When my husband died I learned how fragile our lives on Earth are. I know what happens within, when you see your love getting ready for work and then the next you are viewing his lifeless body. Every time I leave for a photography job, fly away on a plane, or even go out with friends, I pray that the Lord will extend my life so that I may continue to raise my daughters. I also pray that fear will not control the course of my life on Earth. 


Whether I'm scared of physical pain, financial loss, losing someone I love again, or my own death, the worry dispels when I spend time at Jesus' feet. Please be praying for me during this time, that I will walk in the way that Christ leads.


"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Tim. 1:7)