Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Dear God,

They walked in with chains around their wrists, waist and ankles. Dressed in striped or orange prison garb, they walked right by us. With the words, "Prison Inmate" inscribed on the back of their shirts, I smiled at each one. I wanted to impart hope. Most seemed seasoned, like they have been here before. But one girl, well, she wasn't a girl, not much more than a teenager, she looked scared to death. They were seated on the front row.

I was in court today to be a support to a friend who was changing her name. She sat with her attorney at the table close to the judge's seat. After being sworn in, her attorney asked her several questions. Name, address, if she had ever committed a felony, etc. "Why do you want to change your name?" The big question. "I carry the name of my mother (my middle name) and the name of my father (my last name). I have experienced a past life of abuse. A few years ago I sought counselling and now by faith I am ready to begin a new life with a new name.

The judge smiled the whole time. I know this judge. He is tough, never smiles. But today was different. He was not dealing with a problem but rather with a person who has taken her deep wounds and done something about them. She has sought to rise up from the ashes of the past to make a new name for herself, to follow the path of faith. He granted her request.

I know with all that I am that this judge would later point out my friend to the inmates. He will say, "Did you hear that woman talk about her past? Did you listen to her when she said she had been abused and that she had sought out counselling, that by faith she had changed her life, now she wanted to begin a new life with a new name? Well, learn from her. If she could do it, so can you.

The words of faith. A witness to the God who transforms people. A testimony to God's power and hard emotional work.

It is a new beginning for my friend. Her middle name is a compilation of letters from the names of very close friends. Her last name means something like, "By God's grace." What could be more beautiful?

So many times you talked about new beginnings, being a new creation. You gave people a new start, a new chance to begin again. You breathed new life into dead, weary, broken bones. And today I saw those bones rise up and dance. You did it again.

Wondrous, Amazing God,
you are our sure foundation.
Nothing about us
makes sense
without you.
We are baby children,
selfish, self-centered,
who want
our own way.
But you talk to us,
share with us
your great love.
You reveal yourself
to us
again and again.
Who could miss
sightings of the Holy?
I watched
a transformation today
and I am giving
deep thanks.

Love, Andrea