Rescued, not Arrested.

On the last Kairos reunion at Sterling Prison, the inmate leader of the reunion had organized the session around the theme, "Thank God for prison!" The session was well-attended with many regulars and newbies. In one small group discussion of the subject, two of the inmates in my group expressed the same sentiment. As they put it, their arrest was a blessing. Without it, they might have been dead, pursuing a horrible set of choices, seemingly powerless to change their behaviors or their companions. Prison gave them an out, which they are now thankful for. In most cases, the men I see in prison are trying desparately to change their lives for the better. Some are serving very long sentences, and instead of surrendering to depression and anger, are accepting the fact that God, thru their choices, has put them in prison. This means, to them, that they are there as part of God's plan and that they must turn to him this time.

Feeling trapped by repeated bad behavior is part of everyone's life, isn't it? Fighting the same battles over and over. I'll just succumb to this behavior once, ooops I'm addicted. I'll express my anger loudly this one time, ooops, I've hurt someone I love again. I deserve this "luxury" now, oops I'm back in debt over my head. Pride, lust, greed, anger, gluttony, sloth, envy. Over and over and over. Due to God's grace, we are just fighting character flaws in small battles, not the huge gaping temptations that lead to deep sin, despair and death like these guys.