Light in Darkness

Our world is filled with pain. Wounds from the past lay hidden in the inner chambers of hearts, far from the gaze of human eyes. Though we have closed the door in our mind, the echos and reminders of old ghosts bounce off the walls - invading our thoughts in the quiet of the night. Invading the lives we build in broad daylight. There is no way to truly silence the painful noise without the power of Christ.

This is our battlefield. This is Satan's playground.

So many of our women in prison have been wounded beyond belief. Stories too elicit and horrifying to even type here in this open forum. My friend Barbara travels with me each week to the prison. Her service to the LORD and to the women at Tennessee Prison for Women is amazing. Our ears have heard descriptions that keep us awake at night. That make us weep over the children who are victims in their own homes. She and I have ministered side by side for over 5 years now. She is like Barnabas to me. Forever encouraging. Praying with hopeful expectation. A blessing in ministry and friendship (even if she is almost a full 12 inches taller than me.)

This past Tuesday night we were given a poem from a woman we have invested much of our hearts into. This woman is deeply broken and scarred by life. A cynic towards faith and Christians who have hurt her. It has taken months to break through. We continue to pray for her and others who share her scars. I wanted to share the poem with you... a glimpse into the hearts we encounter everyday. You pass people who are hurting on the streets. In the grocery. In the post office. In the pew. They are ready to fall over the edge. We can make a difference. One smile. One hug. One loving word. A simple and sincere act can bandage a bleeding heart and offer the HOPE of JESUS.

Fulfilled Prayers
Written by: An Inmate and Friend

One troubled day I stifled a cry
Just as two angels came walking by
One who was tall
could dance hip hop and jam
The other one "small"
and a bit of a ham
I said "I'm so weary,
I just want to die
I'll have to find some hope
if I'm gonna get by"
My life has no meaning
My heart is full of woe
Some days like today,
I just want to let go
They hugged me like family
And whispered His name
"Lord Jesus, Father God,
please ease her pain"
They told of God's mercy
How His son died for our sins
How he suffered on the cross
How that's not where it ends
He wants us to have life everlasting
He treats everyone the same
He died for "our" sin
It's for "all" that he came
I love my two Angels
I thought with a smile
God did send some Angels to save me!!
I guess sometimes it just takes awhile.


Amazing isn't it???? You see, this girl kept asking why God didn't send down angels to save her while she was being molested. She could not see God as kind because she was an innocent kid who lost her innocence at the hands of a killer of children's dreams. A murderer of a child's security and wellness. For her to see that God has found her... has reached out to her countless times. For her to connect this information and truth - it is HUGE. It is the reason we run hard after the only one who can HEAL the BROKEN.

He sees every sweet child who is a victim of the enemy of our souls. And GOD will deal with those who hurt the little ones. This cruel world - is not where our story ends. The ONE who died... came to set us free from the scars of the past! From the scars of the perpetrators who did not choose Him and instead spread the sickness that held them captive. Innocence may be stolen, but it is OUR GOD who restores dignity and puts His LOVE over the scars of a battered heart.

We are praying for our sweet, broken poet - for healing in her mind. For the love of CHRIST to invade every room in her heart - washing away the ashes and redecorating it with HIS BEAUTY.

We dare to light our candle on the front porch of hell and let it burn bright in the face of the devil. Knowing that the RISEN CHRIST is our LIGHT in this present darkness.