fooled

Yesterday I had hoped to drive down to a funeral over ten hours away, but with stormy weather predictions, I decided there was no way I'd make it on time. I asked about live streaming. They said no, but then, lo and behold, just before the time of service, I got a Facebook request to join a group to watch online. I readily joined, racing home from an errand so I could view the celebration of the life of a childhood friend. She was eight years younger than me; our life paths so similar.  

I clicked on the link, relieved access was provided. The profile photo was that of the deceased; a great picture of her smiling; and the green dot was on, signaling the host was online. But the link only took me to a firewall, so I started over and tried again, repeatedly ending at the same dead end. I tried clicking once to allow a bypass and get on with it. My mind wondered why the red page alert. I kept trying. It wanted me to log in but I had no username or password. I asked, then sent a private message to ask again. I could see over a hundred others including my sister had joined the group. Must be legit, so why the firewall and why the inaccessibility to get in when it stated free live viewing? There was even a nice description with hearts and a "please share" to spread the word. My sister and I texted and then she said what had only briefly crossed my mind: 

Might be a scam. 

Really? Everything looked as it should. All the boxes were checked in my mind. I understood technology failed at times. However, my persistence wasn't helping deliver the expected and desired outcome. What was promised on that Facebook group wasn't happening. I wondered who was actually hosting. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, my friend's sweetly smiling face covered what must be a scammer who strategically pretended and preyed on the grief of mourners all connected emotionally to this particular obituary, the hour exact. The family confirmed later that day that it was indeed fake. 

It didn't matter how much faith I originally had in the system. It didn't matter how much I believed was legit. My sincere expectation that I'd be able to enter in to mourn with all the others was unfounded. Our presence and participation mean the world at a time like this. I was fooled and so were many others. 

We live in a sick world. People who are good at deception are vigilantly active online. We know this and yet there are times we fall for their tricks. They will stoop to the lowest means and it often surprises those of us who follow the rules. Respect for the grief of those gathered to honor their dead means nothing to a scammer or hacker. A sacred time to say final goodbyes is not sacred to a wolf intent on its prey. 

So what's the takeaway? Sitting around, talking about how horrible "they" are and how unbelievable it is that "they" could stoop so low doesn't help much. The reality I find in God's unchanging Word tells me every one of us has a heart that is deceitful and desperately wicked "who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 

"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." David, a man after God's heart stated about himself in Psalm 19:12

"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." A repentant David stated again in Psalm 51:2

I'm thankful for the blood of Jesus that has cleansed and covered me with his righteousness. Left to myself, I can do some good, some kindness here and there, but it always falls short of perfection. (If I forget all this about my humanity, I see it about every day in my kids!) We are made in God's image, equipped with a conscience that warns and helps discern right from wrong. On top of that, receiving Jesus as Lord ushers in the Holy Spirit to do what we cannot, will not, or simply have no clue what to do in and of ourselves.  

What mercies and grace we need every hour! One day we shall see just how much that has been and continues to be true for each and every one of us.