It's a frustrating Saturday. I am out of service. I've been sidelined by the Lord...
You might say that He has me in restraints, like a shepherd might do with a lamb who loves to wander and then gets himself into trouble as a result. I call it forced rest, but I'm okay with it.
Today happens to be the annual Christian Family Day event, which is now taking place in the facility's east recreation yard. Up to 125 or more people are outside in the sun enjoying their time together with family and friends, while I sit in a chair by my bedside and write these words on a lined note pad.
Everyone always has a good time on Family Day. The inmates and their loved ones will also be joined by approximately 20 to 25 members of the Manhattan Grace Tabernacle. Church who travel here from New York City. The church's members will share their testimonies as well as sing lots of worship songs, too.
But as for me, here I sit having to grit my teeth while trying to put up with the boredom of being confined to a room in the hospital. Nevertheless, I've been having some good conversations with Steve. He expects to be going back to the facility he came from, maybe within the next two weeks. I've since learned that most of his family are Christians, and he's the only one from among them who has embraced Islam. So Steve knows the Gospel, and he knows about Jesus Christ. He also knows that his family is praying for him, as well.
Meanwhile, the other two guys sleep much of the time, taking advantage of the quiet. I've been doing the same. I am reading my Bible in the mornings while napping in the afternoons. Mostly I lie on my bunk and stare at the ceiling or out of the window. Idleness, I've discovered, is not for hyperactive people. It's definitely not for me!
D.B.
Today happens to be the annual Christian Family Day event, which is now taking place in the facility's east recreation yard. Up to 125 or more people are outside in the sun enjoying their time together with family and friends, while I sit in a chair by my bedside and write these words on a lined note pad.
Everyone always has a good time on Family Day. The inmates and their loved ones will also be joined by approximately 20 to 25 members of the Manhattan Grace Tabernacle. Church who travel here from New York City. The church's members will share their testimonies as well as sing lots of worship songs, too.
But as for me, here I sit having to grit my teeth while trying to put up with the boredom of being confined to a room in the hospital. Nevertheless, I've been having some good conversations with Steve. He expects to be going back to the facility he came from, maybe within the next two weeks. I've since learned that most of his family are Christians, and he's the only one from among them who has embraced Islam. So Steve knows the Gospel, and he knows about Jesus Christ. He also knows that his family is praying for him, as well.
Meanwhile, the other two guys sleep much of the time, taking advantage of the quiet. I've been doing the same. I am reading my Bible in the mornings while napping in the afternoons. Mostly I lie on my bunk and stare at the ceiling or out of the window. Idleness, I've discovered, is not for hyperactive people. It's definitely not for me!
D.B.
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