For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Hello friends, I introduced you to my friend Katie a while ago. She will bless us today with another blog. This is her prospective from behind prison walls. If you ever begin to feel limited with what you can do because of current restrictions, think about Katie and others like her. Say a prayer for them today! Now here’s Katie Woolsey;
Do you believe in God? I’ve always believed in God, I just spent the majority of my adult life not acting like it. For over 12 years I’ve lived a shameful life-style running from Him and being utterly defiant to the way that I was raised to live life. That shame still runs deep. I’m better though.
Prison is good like that. Prison forces people to look their demons right in the eye and make a decision on what to do about those demons. It’s a painful process, lengthy even. Even though it’s all changes for the greater good it can still feel like one step forward, two steps back.
Today is one of those days when everything and everyone is annoying. It’s hot and humid; body parts that I didn’t even know could sweat, are sweating. I’m missing yet another one of my kid’s birthday’s today. While I’m physically simmering and stewing on this off day, I’m clearly also emotionally stewing. Misery is so easy to harp on. It takes more energy to be miserable but it’s our go-to the majority of the time. So I sit here trying to drown out the obnoxious prison shenanigans, nursing a headache, and what did I forget to do? I forgot to say “help.”
I realize I need days like today. I need them because I find that doubt has again started tainting my belief and faith and I don’t even know it. Whether due to work, family, school…even prison, we tend to get stuck in routine. Really stuck. So, like the Bible says, I have to be thankful for the stupid days because they remind me of the stagnant water surrounding me again that I need to drain out and refresh.
I’m learning to recognize the ways God chooses to speak to me personally. They are simple, yet amazing. Simply amazing. I’m way past the days of burning bushes and angels with booming voices on the side of the road. So I have to quiet myself a great deal to hear Him. And I’m horrible at it but also a work in progress. I struggle with self absorption. I don’t want to be like that anymore. I crave the renewing of my mind.
Donna here again….check out tomorrow’s blog with Katie as she ‘turns the corner’ and encourages herself in the Lord, while sitting, by herself in a prison cell.
Please give me come comments on Katie’s story. I am trying to put her story in the book “Sparrow’s Song.” What do you think would be helpful for you to know about her life to keep our kids and ourselves out of prison?
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