What Do You See?

This is a beautiful fall “photo” that is shown here. Isn’t it? I am certain that you will agree. It is even more special than what is actually shown in the “photo”. If you look closer – you can see.

There are beautiful trees in the photo for sure. But standing with the trees are three men. Oh I know that with this size of photo you can’t really see who they are. If you knew them – you could see the miracle that they all represent. Then the “photo” would be complete. Actually – this is a “God photo” come to think of it…

Two of the men in the photo are men that have spent a number of years in prison. The third man in the photo faces another kind of prison at this time – no – not the kind with bars. Let me explain… his physical balance is at risk all the time.

Meet the “Lord of this Estate”…he is called “Win”. The short form of his name is really the best word to describe his attitude and heart – he is a “Winner”. The problem is Win’s inner ear mechanism, that should help to hold him upright, is almost gone. For all the years he has stood on the property he has had complete control. Now he needs his cane and a great deal of will power to walk the property – in fact each walk and each task on the property is a chore. The chain saw that is being used in the photo is 19 years old and was purchased to help clear the land to build his house. But that doesn’t stop him.

As you look closer at the photo you will see more. Win is with two men that he has just met for the first time. They are my friends. As I said earlier they are men that have spent time in prison. Uniquely – they have shared the same cell block together inside of a Canadian prison. Sorry… there are no names written here to help them. (It just isn’t cool to publish names.) Now they do different tasks together…. Today it is cutting wood.

The wood that is being cut was placed in this pile by Win months (and maybe even years) ago. He uses his small John Deere tractor to pull the logs up the hill to this spot. But with no balance it is not real good to operate a chain saw – even if he was good at doing so over all these years.

That is where the new “ friends” came into the photo. They are good at using chain saws – one at least. The other is a super at helping. Together they are a “Mercy Team”. I have given them the name.

God’s Mercy has reached their hearts and begun the process of cleaning their lives. Today they are discovering Jesus. A year, even a few months ago, Jesus wasn’t a factor in their lives and they wanted nothing to do with the “God People”. Today they meet with me weekly and are the first two to ask if they can pray. Both read the Bible with me in our Bible studies together. And finally – they want to offer other people their love and support. Doing stuff for people is right up their alley. They offer Mercy now… to anyone that needs it.

It has caused me more problems than I can handle at times. They keep asking – “Is there anyone else that needs help?”…and “When can we do it”.

The photo is coming in clearly now… the one that God sees. In the midst of the beautiful fall photo – there is another miracle happening…. Today is one man’s 10th month of being out of prison. The other fellow is delighted to report that he is at 17th months and it will soon be 2 years in his description. Both are filled with hope.

I am in the “photo” as well… you just can’t see me. I am behind the camera as you have guessed. But I am behind another camera as well. Both of the men will be with my wife and me for Thanksgiving this year. They will celebrate with us around our table. We are all excited…. They are excited because this Thanksgiving is not at the Prison Cafeteria – but outside and with people that are loving them… for the first time. My wife and I because we are loved in return.

What a blessing this “photo” is to me.

Pastor Murray