This past week I went for the third time to the Appalachia Mountains on a mission trip. Up in those mountains there is a facility that houses women who have been convicted of a federal crime and are also expectant mothers. The birthing center allows a mother to come there in the sixth month of her pregnancy and stay until her baby is fifteen months old. Most of the women are able to serve their time and go straight home - never missing out on the first stages of their babies lives. I think it's a brilliant program.
Because I love babies, this trip was a no-brainer for me. It's a chance to hold all the babies I want and, at the same time, it's an opportunity to offer encouragement and hope to young mothers. Over the past three years, I've probably rocked over forty babies to sleep. Tough trip, huh? :)) During our time at the center, we feed the girls a home-cooked meal everyday. We also take games and crafts to pass the time. We do our best to make them feel special with manicures, pedicures, facials, and tea parties. Most of all, we love them and try to shine the light of Christ while we're there.
So who are these women? Aren't they convicted felons? Yes, they are. Every one of them is a non-violent offender. Several are there, I've found, because they've gotten mixed up with the wrong fella. Drugs are often a part of the picture, but not always. Many times their charges involve conspiracy. Sometimes the crime is white collar.
But who are these women, really? They are actually.....just like me. They are daughters, mothers, wives, bank tellers, beauticians, cooks, nurses, and doctors (yes, I said "doctors"). They are white, black, Hispanic, Armenian, Native American, Cuban. They are wealthy, and they are very poor. They come from all religious backgrounds. Some are having their first child in this facility and some are having their eighth. They come from all over the country and because of that, some have family that come to visit and some don't. Some are hiding from ex-husbands or ex-boyfriends. Some were cheerleaders in high school and college. They are hurting. They are happy. They feel blessed, and they feel cheated. A common thread running throughout the lives of the women in this center is a bad choice. Often it's not just one bad choice, but sometimes it is. Sometimes this center is rock-bottom for a woman. Sometimes it's just the beginning of many more bad choices.
This year I met Mary (not her real name). She is ME. Not really, of course, but she represents me. She's exactly my age, has other children at home, and has a husband with the same name as mine and who works the same business as mine. The first day I met her, she was wearing an Old Navy t-shirt and jogging pants....just like I wear around the house. From our first conversation, we had an instant connection. Even though I enjoyed talking to all the girls, I found myself drawn to Mary. We both found ourselves rambling on about our lives. We had opportunities for long talks. She shared her story, her heart, and her fears. I shared encouragement and hope as best I could. I know that we could be great friends given the chance.
That first night I couldn't sleep much as I thought of Mary and a couple of the other girls at the birthing center. Their stories tore at my heart and I longed to be able to encourage them all. Yes, they've broken the law and must suffer the consequences, I understand that. My most common thought, though, was that without the grace of God, I could've gone down the same path. Each year, God grants me a little more wisdom to see these girls as precious - not as criminals or outcast or felons.
In much the same way, God sees all of us not as the sinners we are, but as His children. Because He sees us this way, He graciously sent His Son to redeem us and make a way for us to have eternal life with Him. He alone is our encouragement and our hope. God sees no difference between Mary and me. He died for all those who call upon Him - criminal, outcast, felons, sinners...no matter.
God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8
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