I have a long time customer who is a prison guard.

I knew this the first time Jodi shopped with me. I offer a place to sign up for our  mailing list. She refused to leave her information because she’s a prison guard.

Several years ago, I didn’t have an incarcerated husband. I respected her and never asked her again.

Eventually she became comfortable with me and left me her information and email.

She wrote them on a slip of paper for me to add to my database. She wouldn’t write it in the journal on the counter.

When my husband transferred here a few weeks ago, I realized I had to tell her. I didn’t want to run into her on a visit to Lee without her having the information first.

UGGH! I don’t like having to tell anyone.

It’s a hard thing to say. I never know how people are going to react. I hate dealing with the looks or the shock. I hate the shift in relationships that can occur.

I spoke with the business coach. She agreed that out of respect for Jodi I had to tell her.

So I prayed about it. I spoke with Lee on Sunday about it again.

He said I had been putting it off far too long and that I simply had to do what’s right.

I prayed again. Today, I knew I had to call her.

After James and I got to the store, a customer came in for the first time. I chatted with her at the counter and I noticed her black jacket had a familiar emblem on it.

Underneath the emblem it said, “Department of Corrections”.

“Ok Lord. I know. I won’t put it off anymore.”
I took a deep breath and pulled Jodi’s information out of my file.

I prayed as I dialed the phone,

“Lord, please give me the right words. Please help this go well.”

No answer.

A lady from church came in and we were talking. The door opened and Jodi and her little girl walked in.

“Wow Lord. OK! Today IS the day.”

I excused myself to the lady from church and quickly explained to her what I had to do. I think she prayed for me.

I walked over to Jodi and said, “Hey I just called you. I need to tell you something. My husband was just transferred to your facility.”

She looked at me with wide eyes and immediately looked over to James.

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” She said.

I told her that I wasn’t telling her for me. For me I’d have kept it quiet. I let her know that I wanted to offer her the choice of whether or not I should delete her information.

She said I should because she wouldn’t want Lee or her to get in trouble. I don’t quite know what she meant. She doesn’t know who he is. He has no idea of who she is either.

She said that weird things can happen over silly and stupid things and she wouldn’t want to cause any difficulties for him.

She didn’t look at me like I had three heads. Phew.

I told her that I had been worried that she would never come in again.

“No way.” She said. “I work with those guys all the time. I’m not bothered. Besides, it’s not YOU. I just feel so bad for you.”

She walked over to my files and showed me what she preferred I’d delete. We chatted a little more and she left.

I am so thankful that the Lord worked out those details. It was beyond obvious that he orchestrated the details today. He made an unpleasant task work out smoothly.

Thank you Lord for caring even about this. 

 

Filed under: Prison/Incarceration | 7 Thoughts Shared »