Staying Put (Developing an open heart) It may seem strange but since I have been in prison I have learned a lot about myself. I have grown up a lot and have gotten closer to God and He has opened my heart to a lot .--Gregory B. ++++++++++ I have been writing a prisoner named Gregory for two years. He comes across as a fine young man, who made a very bad choice and is now paying the price for whatever he did. Usually, I do not check up on those I write in prison unless there is a need. I have done this only two times. Gregory is so transparent, as well as childlike, that I feel no need to do so. I do know that he feels that he needs to be there to pay his depth to society, and will be getting out in a couple of years. I have noticed that men in prison will often ‘find God’. I am sure that it is a real conversion for them, and they truly deepen their relationship with God. However, more than one has written to me about their concern when they get out of prison. Those on a faith path seem to be able to take responsibility for their actions and have the humility to admit that they have serious impulse control problems. In prison, men are forced to stay put. For some, perhaps many more than I know, this can be used to their advantage, and in doing so they can find their ‘true north'. One way of looking at what our ‘true north’ means is whatever keeps us on the track, on the path that we know we should be walking. For a monk, our vows help us to navigate through rough seas. For married people, their vows also can help them to survive the many crises that will be faced. For all of us, it is in developing a healthy conscience that is most needed. He likes to write short notes. When we first started writing, he would send me four notes a week. They were very short just letting me know how he is doing. So I wrote him and said that he could send me as many ‘notes’ as he wanted, but I would still stick to my one or two letters a month. He was fine with that. Now we do email and it seems to be working out for him. Gregory’s growth is being deepened, and I believe sped up because he is in an environment where he has to make choices. To choose to grow, or to follow the path that has the least resistance. He has chosen to swim upstream and in doing so has opened his heart to the “Yes of God”. His perspective is changing, he is praying and studying, and I am honored to play a small part in that. When a prisoner can admit his guilt before God, the humility that allows that to happen is the key in allowing the flood gate of God’s love, to pour into their souls. Self-Knowledge leads to Self-Love, the kind that Jesus tells us we must do, to love ourselves as we love our neighbor, and yes, most importantly, God.-Br.MD
I always enjoy "prison stories" a lot, I knew a priest who ministered at the State Prison, I never really tried to find out about that. People will either volunteer the info or not. I knew of a layman who would visit released prisoners in a ministerial role. He'd volunteer information. I kind of shrugged it off.
One has to be careful about those prisoners who are actually 'con-men'. Many just want another chance. peace Mark
Great post, Mark. Prison seems to be a crucible God can use as a wellspring for humility. Thank you for staying in touch with this young man. St. Valentine, pray for him!
The amount of choices he will have to make when he is released will dwarf what he faces today being in an institution. I don't say that to belittle his progress in any way, in fact it saddens me greatly that when men and women are released they are many times placed back in the exact same environment geographically that they committed their crimes in but with so little support that most will simply cave in to the pressure placed upon them by the world and return to what they know. It will take nothing short of God's grace to get him through it unscathed IMO. I hope that he has outside support when that time comes.
I agree. I encourage them to become more disciplined, and to not return to their 'old friends'. Yet many do go on to better lives. , God's grace is strong, and the men have a lot of humility. Peace Mark
Yes, so we hear often suffering, it be hardship of whatever variety often brings us closer to God. Why did I have to go through some trial in the first place? But, in the end, somehow, I am looking at it more in the terms of faith.
