I remember the night clearly—the noise, the lights, the emptiness hidden beneath it all. In the middle of that life, I found myself kneeling down and whispering a desperate prayer: “God, if You are real, change my life.” I did not understand then what I was asking. I did not yet know that when God answers, He answers in His way, not ours.
Exactly three weeks later, my life changed in a way I never expected—I found myself in prison.
It was there, in that place of confinement, that I was finally forced into something I had avoided for years: introspection. For the first time, I had to truly look at myself—my choices, my pain, and my patterns. It was uncomfortable, even unbearable at times, but it was necessary.
God did not leave me there alone. He placed people in my path—Pastor Rod from Scarlet Thread Prison Ministries, and Shanice—who became my guides, mentors, and vessels of His grace. Through them, I began to learn, to listen, and to slowly understand truth. I started reading the Bible, little by little, day by day.
There was one scripture God gave me in prison that became engraved on my heart and mind—especially in the moments when I believed there was no hope left for me:
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” — Isaiah 61:3
That scripture changed everything. Where I saw ashes, God saw beauty. Where I felt lost, God showed me that there is hope for all of us.
Each day is still a journey. Every day we struggle, every day we try—but with Christ, every day becomes possible. With Christ, there is peace, there is strength, and there is new life.
Music also became a place of reflection for me, and the song “Forgiven” by the David Crowder Band deeply resonated with my heart. Its message reminded me that no matter where we have been, we are not beyond God’s grace.
I entered prison at the age of 40 and spent three and a half years there. Today, at 53, I can see what I could not see then—God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels painful.
If I have one regret, it is that I did not call on Him sooner.
But by His grace, I am here. Changed, restored, and still growing—one day at a time
Exactly three weeks later, my life changed in a way I never expected—I found myself in prison.
It was there, in that place of confinement, that I was finally forced into something I had avoided for years: introspection. For the first time, I had to truly look at myself—my choices, my pain, and my patterns. It was uncomfortable, even unbearable at times, but it was necessary.
God did not leave me there alone. He placed people in my path—Pastor Rod from Scarlet Thread Prison Ministries, and Shanice—who became my guides, mentors, and vessels of His grace. Through them, I began to learn, to listen, and to slowly understand truth. I started reading the Bible, little by little, day by day.
There was one scripture God gave me in prison that became engraved on my heart and mind—especially in the moments when I believed there was no hope left for me:
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” — Isaiah 61:3
That scripture changed everything. Where I saw ashes, God saw beauty. Where I felt lost, God showed me that there is hope for all of us.
Each day is still a journey. Every day we struggle, every day we try—but with Christ, every day becomes possible. With Christ, there is peace, there is strength, and there is new life.
Music also became a place of reflection for me, and the song “Forgiven” by the David Crowder Band deeply resonated with my heart. Its message reminded me that no matter where we have been, we are not beyond God’s grace.
I entered prison at the age of 40 and spent three and a half years there. Today, at 53, I can see what I could not see then—God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels painful.
If I have one regret, it is that I did not call on Him sooner.
But by His grace, I am here. Changed, restored, and still growing—one day at a time
I remember the night clearly—the noise, the lights, the emptiness hidden beneath it all. In the middle of that life, I found myself kneeling down and whispering a desperate prayer: “God, if You are real, change my life.” I did not understand then what I was asking. I did not yet know that when God answers, He answers in His way, not ours.
Exactly three weeks later, my life changed in a way I never expected—I found myself in prison.
It was there, in that place of confinement, that I was finally forced into something I had avoided for years: introspection. For the first time, I had to truly look at myself—my choices, my pain, and my patterns. It was uncomfortable, even unbearable at times, but it was necessary.
God did not leave me there alone. He placed people in my path—Pastor Rod from Scarlet Thread Prison Ministries, and Shanice—who became my guides, mentors, and vessels of His grace. Through them, I began to learn, to listen, and to slowly understand truth. I started reading the Bible, little by little, day by day.
There was one scripture God gave me in prison that became engraved on my heart and mind—especially in the moments when I believed there was no hope left for me:
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” — Isaiah 61:3
That scripture changed everything. Where I saw ashes, God saw beauty. Where I felt lost, God showed me that there is hope for all of us.
Each day is still a journey. Every day we struggle, every day we try—but with Christ, every day becomes possible. With Christ, there is peace, there is strength, and there is new life.
Music also became a place of reflection for me, and the song “Forgiven” by the David Crowder Band deeply resonated with my heart. Its message reminded me that no matter where we have been, we are not beyond God’s grace.
I entered prison at the age of 40 and spent three and a half years there. Today, at 53, I can see what I could not see then—God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels painful.
If I have one regret, it is that I did not call on Him sooner.
But by His grace, I am here. Changed, restored, and still growing—one day at a time
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