BY DAWN REED
When Lynn* came in for Bible study at the jail, it was clear she was struggling. As she shared some of her story, we realized she had struggled her whole life.
She told of the abuse she suffered as a young child, bringing tears to my eyes. Burned. Molested. How could parents/family do that? The abuse left scars inside and out.
Lynn finished with, “But Makayla has been very kind to me.”
“What?” I asked, not sure if I’d heard correctly.
She repeated: “Makayla has been so kind to me.”
It might not sound like a big deal to you, but I assure you it is a very big deal.
In a local jail, in a cell 24/7, with women who are not relatives, things can get stressful. Anger, frustration, disappointment, fear, detoxing, plus countless emotions come together for an extremely volatile environment. In the midst of it all, Makayla, a fellow inmate, is being kind.
Makayla smiled sheepishly. She made a commitment to the Lord a few months ago and comes to Bible study on Sunday mornings. While she hasn’t been released yet, we can see changes. I’m so proud of her. In a very hard place, she is choosing kindness for someone who has already been hurt so badly.
The Apostle Paul is a great example of doing good when it’s not easy. When he was imprisoned in Rome, he may have been down, but he certainly was not out. He made great use of his time. Instead of filling his days with self-pity, he wrote letters of encouragement to the churches in Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse and others. Imagine what he could have done with a laptop!
In his letter to the people of Ephesus, he thanked God for their faith. He prayed for them: that out of the Father’s glorious riches, He would strengthen them, and they would be rooted and established in love (3:16-17). That sounds like a note one would write to someone in prison.
Paul urged them to live a life worthy of the calling they had received (4:1); to bear with one another (4:2); to put off the old self (4:22); to be careful what came out of their mouths (4:29). He admonished them to be kind and compassionate, forgiving others, just as God had forgiven them (4:32).
In Ephesians 5:1, he wrote from prison: “Be imitators of God…as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” Wow!
In the last chapter of Ephesians, Paul penned, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” He went on to describe spiritual armor we need against the devil’s schemes. Written thousands of years ago, it is as fresh as if it were written this morning.
While Paul was in prison, and death was certainly coming, he chose to make an impact – a good one – on others. He used his resources to uplift and instruct people of his day. We are still learning from it.
Paul bloomed where he was planted, though it was a hard place. Makayla is doing the same thing at the county jail. Make no mistake. Makayla is not perfect; she is just trying.
What hard spot are you in where, despite the difficult circumstance, you can show kindness? Is there a “Lynn” in your path that needs an encouraging word?
My good friend Paige says, “It costs zero dollars to be kind.” She ain’t wrong.
*Name changed