Each week I have the privilege of walking through every wing of Administrative Segregation housing on the maximum security prison facility I am assigned to. A faithful team of incredible men spend every Saturday providing a church service for those who are unable to leave their cells because of their custody level. There are six wings, so we provide six, back to back services every week. This can be physically demanding and emotionally exhausting, but we press on because we have a goal: to show Christ's love to those in Seg. Our goal is to make sure that at least once a week every person on our unit knows they are loved. We are followers of Jesus, and we pray that those we encounter come to know Jesus too, but our simple objective is to consistently show the love of Christ to those assigned to Seg.
"Seggers" have minimal contact with people who just want to love them, so naturally there is some skepticism at first. Our goal is not to fix anyone, our goal is to simply show Christ's love...period. Nobody wants to be someone else's project. Nobody wants to feel like the person they are talking to has a hidden motive or agenda. I am truly convinced that all people, in all places just want to be seen, valued, and loved.
In John 4, Jesus has an encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well. Cultural norms didn't want men to interact with women, didn't want Jews to interact with Samaritans, and certainly didn't want them sharing buckets for water, but Jesus is motivated by His love for others. Like all of us, this woman needed to be seen, valued, and loved so Jesus sees her, speaks to her, values her enough to reveal His true character to her, and because of His great love for her she ultimately puts her trust in Him.
Jesus did not start this encounter by trying to fix the woman, He started with conversation. He did not preach at her, He showed that He cared for her. There was never disdain or condemnation in His eyes as He looked at her, a Samaritan, a woman, a woman with a past...no, Jesus looked on her with eyes motivated by love.
So what is the WORST way to "help" an inmate? The answer is simple: anything OTHER than love.
As you continue to support your Loved One, as you continue to navigate the difficult times of relationships with people who are incarcerated, I encourage you to refocus on pouring love out on the ones God has placed in your path. Our job was never to fix anyone, our job was never to have all the answers, our job is always to love. Anything motivated by something other than love will eventually fail, but, "Love never fails!" (1 Corinthians 13:8).
I'd love to hear ways in which you're showing love to your Loved One...feel free to share in the comments, or send me an e-message.
No matter what comes, declare with your words and actions today: "I Choose Hope!"
Contact Trent directly by creating a Securus e-messaging account at SecurusTech.net or on the Securus App. You'll need his full name, State, and facility (Trenton Blythe, Texas, Texas Department of Criminal Justice). He'd love to hear from you!
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