Believing in The Power of Redemption

Believing in the Power of Redemption

In 1979 I found myself alone and living far from friends (my support   group). At my new job, I made new friends, and one of them in particular had come over for a “girl’s night”.  We talked for hours about our pasts and old boyfriends, it was great and we bonded. During this conversation I told her I was a born-again Christian (that was the term for it back then – 1979). She told me she had an older brother who doing a two year sentence at a fire camp and that he had told his family recently that he had become a born-again Christian.  She went on to say the two of you should meet, stating that he would be getting out in about six months.  I asked if she thought it would be alright for me to write him. We both agreed this would be great.

I had been involved with the church’s M2 program before. This is a program where if anyone feels lead by the Lord to ease the loneliness of a person in prison we would write them and become pen pals. Well I felt compelled to write a letter introducing myself.  I did so and waited to see if he would reply.  My new friend his sister had shown me a picture of him; this prisoner; however it was difficult to tell what he really looked like (the picture was too dark).  For me this was a good thing, not knowing what he actually looked like.  Soon a letter arrived and as I read it I cried, it was the most sensitive and loving letter.  This person shared his true self with me.  It was heartwarming and charming. I read his letters to my church during our time of sharing; I could hear the response from the crowd, as they were moved by his genuine sincerity, as was I.

I know, by now some of you are saying; “what a fool, all convicts learn how to charm the pants off women who write them”.  I truly thought I had met someone who had been misunderstood and the real “him” was extremely sensitive and caring. However, our letters were very benign. We mostly talked about the Lord and how we had both come to be Christians, what our daily lives were like. After writing for approximately six months, he wrote that he was coming home and asked if I would be interested in going to a movie with him along with some of my friends (he was being careful). I was delighted and was looking forward to meeting him.

The day came when he arrived home. His sister called me and I went to their house with great anticipation.  As we waited I did not know what to think except that I would finally have a face to the “sensitive” person behind the letters. When he walked in the door, my heart dropped!  He was the most beautiful man aesthetically I had ever seen. It was apparent we were both uncomfortable at our first meeting, because there was an immediate attraction. It was odd to me that this troubled “outlaw” was overtly shy.  He was completely unsure how to talk to me and later he stated that he had expected a Mexican girl with a “vato-loco” accent.  Here I am with my perfect diction. (Thanks to my parents). I was both curious and intrigued by this 6’ 2”, completely buffed out, beautifully sensitive man. I believed that The Lord had completely changed this man, that he was rehabilitated from the criminal that he was and had evolved into the wonderfully sensitive, God fearing man sitting in front of me. I BELIEVED IN GOD’S POWER OF REDEMPTION, and still do. However, I have learned so much about, OUR FREE WILL.

Stayed tuned, more to come…..