Witness from Prison:  Praise God 

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion, Shout O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart!

The Lord your God is in your midst. 

As Zephaniah appealed to the people of Israel to sing and rejoice, I would seek to do the same. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow...Thank God all creatures here below..." I was fortunate to learn these words as a farm boy. Thanks to my parents, I had, with my father and three brothers, an exceptional six year perfect attendance record in Sunday school.

During my recent three months in the Oxford Federal Prison for civil disobedience at Ft. Benning, GA last November, I was constantly aware of, and up-lifted by my faith "community" for which I thank God. I will be forever grateful for my co-prisoners of conscience: Delmar, my quiet, thoughtful roommate for two months and Buddy, my surrogate grandson and 6'5" 'leaning-pole'. Del effectively used his fishing hobby stories to "build-bridges" with other inmates. Weather permitting, Buddy and I enjoyed daily sunset walks reflecting on the day's activities (sometimes monotonous or boring) and sharing our faith perspectives.

When placed in the Security Housing Unit (the SHU) for safety reasons the last five days, Buddy volunteered to go with me. The officer there, who cross-examined us, said that in his sixteen years at the SHU, he had never before met anyone who so honorably volunteered to accompany another inmate into the SHU. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..." In this Advent season, we acknowledge the gift of Christ in our lives and give thanks for those following His example of sacrificial love.

Reflection: For whom do you have reason to give thanks today? How is that expressed?