Hard Time

I went to prison Sunday. Just to visit. As I posted earlier on Feb. 19, I have a friend there.

As I was walking to the front gate I looked at the rolls of razor wire. I said to myself, "there is no way to escape this place without shedding some blood". As the guard buzzed me through the second door the first door slammed shut. It sent chills down my spine. My past flashed in front of my eyes. I thought of all of the things I did repeatedly that could have landed me here. The "not so friendly" state employee told me to get my ID and my birth certificate out. They sent me to a small office with a guard and went over the paperwork I sent in two weeks ago. He looked at the papers, looked at my ID, looked at me, looked at the papers. He was tapping his pen. I began to get nervous, like I was about to be locked up myself. After he was satisfied with what he saw, I had to wait until my friend's number was called. At that point, I had to go forward empty my pockets and go through the metal detectors. Once through that, there were two more steel doors to go through. Bang! Bang! I then had to walk to another building where the visitation would take place. I walked right along the inside of the fence. Razor wire. Rolls of it. I praised God as I walked, thanking Him that I was never in prison. I thought of Joseph and Paul and John and Peter. Great men of faith all imprisoned. In conditions far worse I'm sure.

I finally see my friend. We smile and hug. About 30 seconds of the "how ya doing thing" and he says," When I heard you sent in your papers to come visit, I immediately thought of that time you came to get me to go to church. I have had a lot of time to think and I have wondered if I would have kept going with you, if I might not be here today." He knew why I was coming. He knew what I was bringing. I didn't even have to bring it up. There was some great conversation. His biggest hangup is, "I don't think I deserve it". I told him he was right, none of us do. I explained grace. (Ephesians 2:8) I planted seeds. I told him I cared for him and I would be there for him. I want to spend time with him. I want to pour out everything I have within me, into him. But he has to want it. He has to receive it. It's his choice.

I believe the seeds I planted Sunday have fallen on better ground. I believe God has been busy plowing up that hard dirt. I pray God starts the germination process and allows me to care and nurture the seedling into a firmly rooted oak. A strong, tall, towering oak that will bear much fruit.

I spent nearly three hours in prison on Sunday. As I was leaving, walking past those rolls of razor wire, I again thanked God for my freedom. That's when it hit me. I realized I had served a good 30 years in a prison. A prison where the razor wire was drugs, alcohol, pornography, lies, and deception. A self-centered attitude full of bitterness, resentment, arrogance and most of all pride. There was no escaping that prison without shedding blood either. Blood was shed, but it wasn't mine. I walked free. I definitely don't deserve it. But Christ did it anyway. For me, and for you my friend. Thank you Jesus.