Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...
Psalm 23:6
Today is the official Thanksgiving holiday...
Psalm 23:6
Today is the official Thanksgiving holiday...
For me, it was a very blessed and special day, even though, as a Christian, every day is a time for thanksgiving.
I arose early in the morning to say my prayers. Then I sat silently before the Lord in the darkness of my cell, enjoying the quiet. Prison is a noisy, hectic place. From the morning wake-up bell at 6:30 to the nighttime lock-in bell at 11:00, a prisoner's day is a long one. The cellblock is not a place to find peace and quiet. Rather these things must be found within oneself.
But as I sat in the darkness just before the wake-up bell, I thought of all the goodness and mercy the Lord has bestowed upon me, a man so undeserving. Looking back over more than half a lifetime in prison, I can say with confidence that God has been more than faithful. His grace has been sufficient for every situation I've had to face.
I know, too, that I have failed my Savior so many times. Yet He has still been there for me, holding me steady, guiding my steps-and yes, even chastening me when necessary. But in the end, I can say with full assurance that everything in my life has worked out for the good. In my heart I know I am a better person today, and for that God gets all the glory. Christ is the one who changed my heart, and it is what He has done that really counts.
D.B.
I arose early in the morning to say my prayers. Then I sat silently before the Lord in the darkness of my cell, enjoying the quiet. Prison is a noisy, hectic place. From the morning wake-up bell at 6:30 to the nighttime lock-in bell at 11:00, a prisoner's day is a long one. The cellblock is not a place to find peace and quiet. Rather these things must be found within oneself.
But as I sat in the darkness just before the wake-up bell, I thought of all the goodness and mercy the Lord has bestowed upon me, a man so undeserving. Looking back over more than half a lifetime in prison, I can say with confidence that God has been more than faithful. His grace has been sufficient for every situation I've had to face.
I know, too, that I have failed my Savior so many times. Yet He has still been there for me, holding me steady, guiding my steps-and yes, even chastening me when necessary. But in the end, I can say with full assurance that everything in my life has worked out for the good. In my heart I know I am a better person today, and for that God gets all the glory. Christ is the one who changed my heart, and it is what He has done that really counts.
D.B.