Hope
Richness.
I resolved, after attending that first Christian retreat inside the Torres Unit*, I would write a letter to each man in white** I spent time with. Each letter would be truthful (as I understand truth), and each letter would contain hope.
What did I mean by “hope”?
Wikipedia says—"Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large.”
Merriam Webster says—"to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true.” Somewhat different from Wikipedia.
The Wikipedia and Merriam Webster definitions are the ones I am most familiar with. But that kind of hope does nothing for the men I committed to write.
I turned to hope in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future hope.
Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
To experience the hope God promises, one must admit powerlessness, believe that a Power greater than ourselves can provide the hope we desperately need and turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand God, the first three steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
For over ten years now, I have remained in touch with many of the men I have had the privilege to mentor. I have seen the effect on men who have done the difficult work of standing on hope in face of obstacles life has thrown at them.
I’ve seen inner richness and richness in relationships. I’ve seen joy on occasion and men who are grateful for having been given the gift of life. I’ve seen men who have hope and not despair.
* The Torres Unit is a Texas state prison located near Hondo, Texas.
* All Texas inmates wear white.