Spring has Sprung

As many of you know I go into the county jail on Mondays to lead a Bible study and twelve step program for the woman in the general population area. 

 I was surprised last Monday as the women filed into the small chapel area all decked out in their new bright pink suits. 

 I wish I could post a picture at this point but no camera's or pics allowed in jail, but I can tell you that "Spring has Sprung" in Jail......

it was great. 

The color looked something like the deep pink in this rose from my backyard.

How refreshing it was to see this beautiful pink instead of the typical jail colors of Gray and white or the burnt orange jumpsuits they have to wear to court. 

 It seemed as if the pink was helping them to forget where they were. I think they almost felt pretty. 

 It just reminded me of how God renews his creation with the season of Spring. 

The trees bud, the flowers bloom and all the dull gloomy days become bright with sun and color. 

 Even in the midst of a dark place he was able to allow a little glimpse of hope.  A little glimpse of Spring.

A jail is such a lonely place.  All the colors around you are dull and gray. 

A jail is a place of separation from the world outside and all the beauty and color of God's creation. 

 I hear this question time and time again, "why do you like to go into the jail?" 

 My answer, "it is not that I like it.  It is what God as told me to do."  I will admit, I do love my time there with the women.

  Even among all the hopelessness and despair. 

There is always one who just "gets it". 

One who God is waiting to transform into the beautiful creation he intended for them to be.

One who feels trapped and closed away from all the world. 

 One who feels confined to the darkness that has taken hold of their life. 

One who needs to hear the Words of truth. 

You might say, a chrysalis awaiting to become the beautiful butterfly. 

I pray, that I will always be faithful to bring the Word of truth to those around me. 
To those who read my blog, in my home and at my church.
I also want to be faithful to take this good news to those who may be behind bars,
the homeless,
to those trapped in addiction, abuse and neglect. 

To let "all" know there is hope and that hope is found in Jesus Christ. 

 He changes everything about us.....our past,
 our failures,
our hopelessness
 and yes even our color....our heart color. 

 He can take the dull gray and white of a heart trapped in the prison of sin and hopelessness
and recreate it into something beautiful!!!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!

How about you?

Have you allowed Jesus to change your heart?

Blessings!

Patty