The incarcerated men and women in American prisons remember those who served our country defending our country’s freedoms.
Earlier this month, Fortress of Hope Ministries received a letter from an inmate that included a poem honoring the U.S. soldiers.
For those of us who live on the outside, we may have the wrong perception about men and women who live inside the prison walls. Yes, those who are in prison were convicted and sentenced to serve time as a result.
Due to television and media, we may envision prisoners as angry men who fight with one another, starting riots and plotting their next crime from the inside. While that is real, it does not represent all the prisoners.
There are just as many, if not more inmates who express remorse for their poor choices that landed them where they are and they desire to peacefully serve out their sentence in order to return to society for a second chance to live a better life.
At the White House Prison Reform Summit on May 18, 2018, President Donald Trump said, “America is a nation that believes in the power of redemption. America is a nation that believes in second chances—America is nation that believes the best is always yet to come!”
Our God is a God of second chances! He redeems the humble and restores lives. The Bible is full of testimonies of God’s redemption and restoration.
And the fact that I received a letter from an inmate who remembers those who have sacrificed their lives for our country demonstrates God’s redemptive power operating in his life.
Remember those who gave their all and their families!
Absent Their Wings
A Tribute to Those Who Serve Our Country
As a nation we stand before you tonight, Lord,
Before we lay down to sleep.
Giving you thanks for so many blessings,
And pray for our soul to keep.
So bountiful you’ve blessed our great nation
Yet one blessing stands out above all.
It’s the brave men and women who defend us,
In answer to the patriotic call.
Oh, what a wonderful blessing they’ve been
With courage and valor divine.
And a special prayer we offer for those
Who have surrendered their lives on the line.
For those who’ve returned, broken and torn
And now face ultimate trials.
We stand and salute each one of you,
Though the distance between us is miles.
You sent them to us, Lord, You know them quite well.
For in Heaven their names often ring.
You placed them here in the U.S. of A.
Yes, they are angels, absent their wings.
We thank You, dear Lord, for all of our soldiers,
Yes, the angels You’ve placed in our midst.
So when we give thanks for all of our blessings,
They’ll always be at the top of the list.
~Tommy, inmate
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2 NKJV).
