I had been doing jail ministry for a while and it was a nice beautiful evening. As I drove to the jail I enjoyed the nice fresh air. That was the night a door was opened that should have never been open and I went right through it. It was me and Becky, the jail nurse, that night. Becky had a heart to share the gospel with these ladies and she could play the piano. We started the night with some singing after that is when the night began it changed. I'm not sure if it was me or her that made this suggestion but either way we both agreed it would be nice to go outside with the ladies and do our study.
Becky went to the correction officer who was controlling the doors and told him of our plan. He agreed to it and we all walked out into the hall. There is a fenced in area in the back of the jail where the inmates can go outside and get some air. I thought that was where we were going. All the sudden the doors going outside the front of the building opened and Becky led us outside and I headed up the rear of about 10 or so female inmates. I really did not think much of it. Now I wonder what the inmates thought they must have thought we had lost our minds. I know that sounds ridicules but I didn't see the harm at that moment. We sat on the sidewalk right outside the jail. I remember seeing one of the patrol officers driving away from the jail looking at us very strangely.
We read from Psalms 91 that night. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the All Mighty. I will say to my Lord He is my refuge and my fortress my God whom I trust". It was a sweet fellowship and then all the sudden I felt a strong urgency to gather them up and go back inside the jail. I'm so glad I did. Becky and I herded these ladies up like shepherds leading sheep into safety. I remember when the reality of what I had just done hit me. It was when the door opened to the holding area and we all got in and the door shut behind us. I thought oh Lord what have I just done?
One part of the story I have not told you yet is that one of the ladies was on trial for Murder. I'm going to call her Linda. Linda was in her early 20's. She had been a stripper in Knoxville. She met a guy at the stripe joint and had him bring her to remote area in Englewood, Tn. It was there she killed him in cold blood. I remember the detectives saying it appeared it was for pure fun that she did it there did not appear to be any motive. I had just taken a murder suspect out of the security of the jail. She had nothing to loose. She was looking at life if convicted. I drove home that night thanking God that I was not being booked into the jail for accessory to escape from a penal facility. I know that sounds dramatic but it was a possibility.
When I walked in the house Tommy was sitting in the den and told him what had occurred. I remember the color leaving his face and he said "Never do that again". The next day I had to go to work and tell Chief Hershell Jack what I had done. The Chief was in charge due to the fact the Sheriff had been out of town. The Chief could be a bit dramatic at times. I did not look forward to this. He did the same thing Tommy did accept it was much worse. I can't remember exactly what he said but I'm pretty sure I cried and he stormed out of the office. Later, I found out he went the the Sheriff's house and told him what I had done.
That day Miss Effie Vaughn came to the jail to mentor with some of the lady inmates. Miss Effie was a prayer warrior. I asked her to come back to my office and I told her what had happened. I asked her to pray for me. She did just that. Effie and I ran to the throne room and throw ourselves and the feet of our Lord and pleaded our case before him. I had jeopardized the privilege that God had given me by being so careless. I not only deserved to loss that privilege but also I should have been fired. As it turned out I went to see the Sheriff and he did not fire me. He did tell me not to do that again but he still allowed me to be over the jail ministry.
Well Linda was convict of murder and has life in prison. After her sentencing she was being transported to the state prison. Becky called me and asked me to come to booking. I went into the fingerprint room and there sat Linda and Becky on the floor. Linda had told Becky that the day I took her outside she had prayed and ask God to allow her to see freedom again. Linda was raised in a Mormon home. She had been abused by many and she was very confused about God. She had never been willing to talk about becoming a Christian. That day before she left the jail she prayed to be saved. She said she knew that God had heard her prayer and that's why we went outside that day. She also said she thought about running but something kept her from it. I think I know what that something is. My God is a mighty God. He is my refuge. I did not deserve for Him to keep me safe that day but He did. He had a legion of angels standing guard and keeping those ladies from running. And He knew when their minds started to think about running and that's when He told me to go in.
I learn so much from this incident. One was never take a group of convicted prisoners outside for Bible Study without protection. Another is that God's grace is sufficient. I don't really think it was God's plan for me to do that that day but I'm not sure it was not. I know He told me not to do it again. If that was what it took for Linda to see how much He loved her no matter what she had done well I guess it was all worth it. Jesus was not suppose to talk to the the Samaritan woman but that's what it took for her to come to know Him. I'm convinced He will stop at nothing to reach one of His. As far as I know she is still in prison. I've never talked to her again. The door that should not have been opened opened and I walk through it. Could it be that was the door Linda walked into eternity through? I not sure but God knows.
No comments:
Post a Comment