Life Without Parole
Thursday, October 19, 2006
These boys are all in prison serving life sentences without parole in adult prisons. These are pictures just before they were incarcerated, they are all older now. Every week I spend time with boys about their age serving sentences for drug offenses, unauthorized use of motor vehicles, burglary of a habitation, etc.
I just ask myself, am I doing enough? I mean, I don't think about praying for these boys who are already incarcerated. I know God still loves them and many are victimized in prison because they are so young.
I just think here we are in America. We have so much, yet our youth are in trouble in epidemic proportions. I wonder if we each were able to pick out an at risk kid in our neighborhood and spend time with them, guide them and love them if it would make a difference. I am sure some of them would still end up in prison, but I wonder if the number would decrease radically.
Every day I see a kid who needs to know someone cares. Sometimes it is on the school grounds. Sometimes they pass me on the street or in the grocery store. I recognize them at the games, and even in church.
I am not sure why but I am one of those people who can't get their faces out of my mind. I always remember Mother Teresa's quotes of how when she looked at the hurting, dying and suffering, she saw the face of the Lord.
Jesus says, "I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me" (Mt 25:36). Jesus says, "I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me" (Mt 25:43). The truth that Jesus makes clear is that, "...just as you did it to one of the least of these you did it to me..."(Mt 25:40).
posted by Live, Love, Laugh | 2:56 AM
4 Comments:
You make a good point Dana. I never understood, and still do not, how we'll take money and dump it into our prisons and judicial system AFTER the fact rather than spend the time, effort and funds necessary to ensure our young people don't end up there in the FIRST place. *shakes her head*
If I can make a difference in ONE person's life then I feel my mission on earth has been accomplished. If I touch more than that, all the better.
This is my first time to your site, and it is beautiful. Really beautiful.
This post touches my heart.
I agree with everything you say. I swear some kids look hollow from the outside in. I have always been timid or afraid to really say much to these kids.
The last three years though, has changed my life, and I am no longer so quick to judge, and so quite in demenor. Though I still lack all the skills in knowing how to approach things, I have improved.
I see need everywhere I look, in the schools and play grounds, parks and entertainment arenas.
We are really trying to make some changes in the area I live in, and I do see a general improvement in things. It is slow, it is expensive, and it still isn't enough.
I appreciate your candor and efforts.
Thanks again.
Would that we all did as much as you do for youth.
They so need our love and understanding.
We get so busy living our lives that sometimes we just don't see those around us the need us. You are in the perfect job to see what happens to those young boys and girls that are lost. I admire that fact that you get out there and do your best to help them. I seem to do more with the elderly. I suppose we all have our areas where we can help others. We just need to DO IT!
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