Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think...
Ephesians 3:20
The Mail is usually passed out by the cellblock guard at about 4:15 every afternoon, Monday through Friday...
Ephesians 3:20
The Mail is usually passed out by the cellblock guard at about 4:15 every afternoon, Monday through Friday...
There is no weekend or holiday mail service in or out of the prison, only on weekdays. In here, a correction's officer would go from cell to cell handing each inmate his mail.
And so today, as is the routine, I stepped to the front of my cell to receive my letters. I greeted the guard and thanked him. Then I sat down on my bunk to see what came in. Out of habit, I usually scan through each piece first, looking at each return address.
I would pretty much read my letters by priority. Some I may choose to lay aside and read later in the day. Others, like advertisements, junk mail, or any silly letters go right into the trash.
But as I thumbed through the six or so letters, I got today, as soon as I saw one particular return address, I froze. I was completely stunned. I even started talking to myself out loud, asking why someone like this person would write me. I'm serious! For a minute or so I stood transfixed, staring at the return address and asking myself, "Why?"
This person was Darrell Scott,* the father of Columbine High School martyr, Rachel Joy Scott. I never wrote to him before, and I had no idea this man even knew that I existed. Plus, it is so ironic because just a few months earlier I had written in my journal for February 28th how very blessed I was by the book both Darrell Scott and his former wife, Beth Nimmo had written together about their daughter. His letter was a big surprise.
Apparently, someone told Mr. Scott that I was encouraged by Rachel's story. He said that he had heard about my coming to Christ some time ago and that he was thankful for what God has done in my heart. This brought tears to my eyes. Only the Lord Jesus could grant all this mercy to me that I would find favor with someone like Darrell Scott.
Furthermore, in his short letter he asked me if I had been forgiven by any of my victims' families. He also asked if I had developed any relationships with some of them. I found it amazing that he would ask this when it has been one of the biggest cries of my heart that the forgiveness he is talking about would one day become a reality. So many of my brethren have been praying for these very same things: healing, salvation, forgiveness.
Lord willing, I'll write back to him shortly. The Holy Spirit will have to give me the words, for I don't even know how I would begin.
Yes, once again God Almighty has proven to do far more with my life for the good, than I could ever even think or say. Amen!
D.B.
*See Rachel's Challenge
And so today, as is the routine, I stepped to the front of my cell to receive my letters. I greeted the guard and thanked him. Then I sat down on my bunk to see what came in. Out of habit, I usually scan through each piece first, looking at each return address.
I would pretty much read my letters by priority. Some I may choose to lay aside and read later in the day. Others, like advertisements, junk mail, or any silly letters go right into the trash.
But as I thumbed through the six or so letters, I got today, as soon as I saw one particular return address, I froze. I was completely stunned. I even started talking to myself out loud, asking why someone like this person would write me. I'm serious! For a minute or so I stood transfixed, staring at the return address and asking myself, "Why?"
This person was Darrell Scott,* the father of Columbine High School martyr, Rachel Joy Scott. I never wrote to him before, and I had no idea this man even knew that I existed. Plus, it is so ironic because just a few months earlier I had written in my journal for February 28th how very blessed I was by the book both Darrell Scott and his former wife, Beth Nimmo had written together about their daughter. His letter was a big surprise.
Apparently, someone told Mr. Scott that I was encouraged by Rachel's story. He said that he had heard about my coming to Christ some time ago and that he was thankful for what God has done in my heart. This brought tears to my eyes. Only the Lord Jesus could grant all this mercy to me that I would find favor with someone like Darrell Scott.
Furthermore, in his short letter he asked me if I had been forgiven by any of my victims' families. He also asked if I had developed any relationships with some of them. I found it amazing that he would ask this when it has been one of the biggest cries of my heart that the forgiveness he is talking about would one day become a reality. So many of my brethren have been praying for these very same things: healing, salvation, forgiveness.
Lord willing, I'll write back to him shortly. The Holy Spirit will have to give me the words, for I don't even know how I would begin.
Yes, once again God Almighty has proven to do far more with my life for the good, than I could ever even think or say. Amen!
D.B.
*See Rachel's Challenge