My father lived through the Great Depression. Like many men and women who experienced that period of want, he has a hard time throwing things away. He has sheds full of things he has saved, because “someone might need it someday.”
When my son Joshua was little, my dad took an old, broken-down lawn mower and turned it into a go-cart for him on his birthday. It only went about 25 mph, but my son felt like he was flying. That piece of junk had become priceless thanks to my father’s vision, love, and care.
My dad has a wise perspective that’s rare in our days: He knows that pieces of “junk” can be redeemed for new and wonderful purposes by those who have eyes to see their value. He realizes that burdens can be made into blessings.
In a culture where it’s often cheaper to buy new goods than it is to repair old ones, it’s tempting to transfer that idea to people, and “throw away” those who have transgressed against society. But God – who works all things together for good – is a master of the redemptive process, and by His grace we are invited to participate in it, recognizing the treasures hidden deep within “jars of clay.”
Will you help us unearth the treasure hidden in men and women who are behind bars? The results will be better than we could ever dream!
