Inmate Mail

Prison ministry - well, any ministry - has it's challenges. There are times when women who are growing in the Lord begin a descent into wrong relationships. Why is it so easy for the enemy to use relationships against us? It is one of his favorite tools. He has certainly used it in my personal life.

God is all about relationships.
So what wouldn't the enemy be?
He's such a counterfeit manufacturer.

I received this letter in the mail today from an inmate who is a member of our prison choir. I thought you would be blessed to hear the candid honesty of one woman in process. I have confronted her choices but continued to treat her with great love. I respect her right to choose- even if the choice causes God pain. I know it will pain her too, but that is often a delayed occurrence. An aftershock - if you will.

Here is an excerpt-
Dear Tina -
Hello my sister and dear friend. I just wanted to sit down and write you to let you know how much I love and appreciate you. You know - a lot of times when people are going through things especially if its things that others don't accept as a society or even understand - most of the time they turn their backs and walk the other way or they completely abandon that person along with their trial. You haven't done that and so many times I've experienced the fear that I would cause the people whom I love the most or who mean most to me, to do just that. Thank you for loving me for the woman you know that I truly am. I can't begin to explain into words what I have faced and am still walking through on a daily basis. Mentally and emotionally I am so messed up that some days I don't know if I am coming or going. Some days even physically sick because of the stress I have put upon myself. Why is is easier- to do the very thing you want to do, but it not best for you. All day long, I know exactly what I should do, but at the end of that day - I find myself choosing to do what I want to do, yet is so detrimental to my future - as well as my present. Every time I question myself, it takes me back to those Scriptures when Paul talks about the same thing. Thank you Tina for loving me and for knowing there is something so much better in me, even though I can't pull myself together. I know God has not given up on me and I know He won't. "

It has NOT been easy to love this girl in the middle of her mess. I have felt disappointment and sorrow over her choices. I put her in a leadership role and she has walked into disobedience. BUT GOD is teaching me to ENDURE with those we are investing in - and those around our lives. We endure because HIS KINDNESS LEADS US TO REPENTANCE. If I speak the Truth in LOVE - then God's kindness has room to move around in a life that is wayward.

God, teach us to love more and more like You. To not focus on the sin - but to focus on the life that YOU LOVE.