Remember Those in Prison

This month I received two letters from Stephen. He's serving a sentence in a federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania. We have been writing for about four years or so. Since I've known him, he completed a sentence at a prison in Colorado and was released. After about two years he committed the same crime again and was back in prison.

Once on the phone he tried to explain why he committed the same crime. Sadly, he wanted to go back to prison because he found that while he was out, he realized that his life was gradually slipping out of control- unable to live the kind of life he wanted to be living- unable to live the life of a follower of Christ. His prior life in prison had provided a structure for his life and he found that without that structure things came apart for him.

Stephen's current term may be shortened due to an improper sentence. He won't be released anytime soon, but he already sounds worried about whether he'll "make it" on the outside. His ex-wife, daughter, sister, and father do not contact him or respond. His daughter is being raised by a lesbian sister and her partner.

Despite all this he doesn't despair and he's optimistic that he can reestablish his relationship with his brother. He is intelligent and well-educated. After completing his first sentence he held jobs of increasing responsibility and trust. The problems had begun many years ago with alcohol abuse and then one thing led to another.

The only difference between his life and mine is the grace of God.

If you'd like to join me in writing to Stephen to let him know that he is thought of and remembered, email me at betterpromises@yahoo.com and I'll send his address.