The One Where I Went to Jail…

There was a time in my life when God was really with me and I didn't even know it. It was around Christmas time in 2009, this was right after I had my oldest son, and I was living with my sister-in-law and my older brother. For the sake of privacy, we will call her Angela. So it was around Christmas time and we went to Kmart to do some shopping. My son was with my brother, and it was just Angela and I at the store. So we are walking around and she starts stealing stuff, and stuffing it in my purse. I'm really shallow and naive at this stage in life and I start stealing stuff too and stuffing it in my purse as well. Mind you, I'm taking little things, like batteries for toys, press-on nails, and stuff like that. I'm walking around with her and I'm not even paying attention to the person following me, watching me as I am taking stuff. Today, I realize what was about to happen was a mercy.

So we reached the checkout (obviously we bought stuff too) and were heading to the exit. In my head, I'm thinking I'm going to have some new stuff to play around with; I'm gonna be able to do my nails; I got my son something for his 1st Christmas, and I was so excited. But, then reality hit me. A man grabbed my arm and asked me to come with him to the back of the store. He carried my bag that had the stolen items in it and I just walked with him. I didn't argue or try to fight him on it, I just followed him. I'd come to realize that this man was from Asset Protection, so I didn't have much of a choice. Angela just kept walking out of the store like we were not together in this at all.

Anyway, I walked back with the man and then we reached a room where he emptied the contents of my bag and told me that because of the cost of those items I would be going to jail. To my surprise, I didn't cry, I don't even remember my exact response. I just remember getting to the jail, them taking my mugshot, and me getting my one phone call, but because it was around Christmas time, I got 2 calls. I called my mom and then my grandmother because they were the only two numbers I could remember. After not getting anywhere with them, I went to my cell. I got an orange jumpsuit, flip flops, and some jail undies, I changed and sat down on the bottom bunk. The officer on duty gave me a book to read while I was there, it was Twilight, and it was awesome at the time.

And now to the part where God was with me.

I was locked up for 4 days and 3 nights, in that entire time I was completely alone. I was in a cell all by myself, and I was treated with kindness despite the crime I committed to land me in that place. I was able to use the phone as often as I needed, and I had a decent book to read to kill the time. I didn't have a Bible unfortunately but that's okay. I know now that God was with me. Him allowing me to have the cell to myself was a mercy because He knew that I was afraid of being in a cell with someone that might hurt me. See God is good. After leaving jail, I had to go to court, there I was offered an opportunity to join a first-time-offenders program. My court fine was probably $50 and I didn't need to serve community service or anything. That was God's grace.

It took me almost 14 years to see that God was with me in that experience, He was protecting me from harm, and looking out for me when I couldn't afford to pay a hefty fine. I am forever grateful to God for getting me through that time, and teaching me that His grace is sufficient. I am reminded of this song called "The Story I'll Tell" by Maverick City Worship. In that song there is a line that says "Oh, but I know that down through the years I'll back on this moment and see Your hand on it and know You were here". That is so true guys. When we go through things in life that look like God is nowhere to be found it's because we are in the storm, and we aren't looking for God. Then when we fast forward and look at the things we've been through, that's when we see that God was actually the one carrying us through the storm.

It is in that moment that you realize God has been with you the whole time. Circumstances that should have turned out a lot worse than they actually did is Gods mercy. So take some time to reflect on all the ways God has shown His mercy in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate those moments for you, and I guarantee you views of God will change for the best.

I pray this sets someone free today.