"One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus"

DANGER!!!!

       Believe it or not, a cell phone almost ruined a man this week. He has spent many many years in prison and has had very little success in staying out when he has been released. This time he has the best chance he has ever had because he joined a local Dismas group and has been surrounded by a support team that checks in with him each day and is committed to be there for him. 
     One of the first things he felt he needed when he came back to the community was a cell phone and, instead of getting advice from someone who might understand the best and cheapest way of doing that, was convinced to sign a contract for 2 years at a monthly fee that will eat up almost a half of his disposable income after rent.  He was very happy with his phone at first but then started getting frustrated when he inadvertently made changes to the ringer and sounds and didn't know what he had done or how to undo it. He didn't understand how to make it all work and felt that the salesperson had taken advantage of him.  He also began to understand that the cell phone is going to mean financial hardship for him too. His anger was building. The cell phone reminded him just how ill-equipped he is to adjust to a life out of prison. He felt used. He felt stupid. In the past, this kind of stress would always trigger him into drug seeking or anti-social behaviours. When he uses drugs, he goes back to prison- always. This time was different. This time he contacted his support team and was reminded of his need to be patient, not to be too hard on himself as we all make mistakes. This time he got through it and is learning to trust God and be patient with himself- he will figure that darn phone out!  
     His situation reminds me that each day is a challenge, each day presents opportunities to succeed or fail.  For some of us, a fail can mean the difference between freedom and imprisonment, between recovery and what might seem like devastating failure. (even our "failures" are opportunities to learn) Jesus told us to ask "this day" for our "daily bread". (Matthew 6:11) We need to trust God for today, and remember that he has a purpose for everything we face, every day.  Moses wisely asked him to "teach us to number our days" (Psalm 90:4)- to understand how fragile we are, not to take one day for granted, to value each day for what it is and make the most of it.  
     As I support men and women coming out of prison and learning to adjust to life "on the outside", I am reminded of these truths.