Journal of Sacred Work

Days 34-38 – “Everyday on the Edge.”

          

   The challenge to live Love, not fear can seem insurmountable.  

   For three years I have been ministering to a Death Row inmate. Recently, Glenn's sentence was converted to life in prison. 

   On Death Row, his life was literally "on the edge" of being ended. His life is no better now. 

    Inside radical loving care2Glenn is imprisoned in a facility poisoned with gangs. He says that in his world "you wash your face with your eyes open" and "keep your head on a swivel."

   Glenn survived a nightmare childhood and knows how to handle himself. But, he writes "It's hell to just have to live everyday on the edge."

   So many of us live our lives in fear. Across the world, hundreds of millions of our fellow beings awaken each morning wondering if they will see the sunset, struggle to find food and clean water or live under terror-driven dictatorships.

   You are one of the lucky ones. You are blessed with more freedom to choose a life of joy and Love. 

   But, have you?

   I am always surprised when I find myself depressed in any given moment. I think of Glenn and his world "on the edge." Strangely, that does not always comfort as I reflect on the tortures humans inflict on each other.

   Yet, the cruelty we inflict on ourselves is the worst. It should also be the easiest darkness to illuminate.

   Choosing Love always eases darkness. The more you help another the less your darkness. 

   Have you ever thought you do not deserve to be loved? I have. It is a wrong notion. 

   Only when you accept the gift of Love can you practice Radical Loving Care. In that practice, your life is no longer "on the edge."

   Fear retreats when Love arrives.

-Erie Chapman 

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4 responses to “Days 34-38 – “Everyday on the Edge.””

  1. Diana Gallaher Avatar
    Diana Gallaher

    Several years ago I asked the man I visit in prison how he does it. How do you live in prison and not lose all hope? His response astounded me. He said he is able to survive living in prison without losing hope “because life is good.” He then went on to offer examples of how life is good, all having to do with being in nature. This is a man who is not allowed to even touch a blade a grass – probably hasn’t for nearly 30 years.
    So life is good, even when it isn’t. There is something fundamentally “good” about life. My friend in prison has experienced it.
    It fills my heart with gratitude. It also spurs me on to work so that others can experience life’s beauty.
    btw, I remain convinced that the men on Tennessee’s death row have a depth of spiritual knowledge that I will never know.
    Erie, I am happy to hear about Glenn no longer being on death row. I will pray for him.

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  2. Maureen McDermott Avatar
    Maureen McDermott

    Thank you Erie for your story of hope and love. How much we need such truths to remind us to live our lives with the faith, hope and love with which we have been blessed. With your inspiration today, Erie, I trust that I too will be a ray of hope and light to those whom I encounter today.

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  3. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    The thought of living in prison and the constant vigilance is unimaginably frightening to me. I admire those of you who walk alongside people who are in this situation. The consistency of your showing up for Glen must be a ray of light, Erie and perhaps instills some of his hope in humanity.
    I appreciate your reflection because it encourages us to look within, without our usual paradigm, to see our self-constructed prisons. A surface response to your inquiry would be a natural, “well, yes of course, I deserve to be loved.” Yet, if I dare to go deeper there I may find those internalized messages subconscious that disagree. A first step is to recognizing self-limiting beliefs and acknowledging their presence, otherwise they may continue to overshadow love’s presence.
    Thank you, Erie for this soul searching reflection that affirms our true inheritance.

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  4. Erie Chapman Foundation Avatar
    Erie Chapman Foundation

    Thank you Diana, Maureen and Liz. Yes, Diana, you are a great heart for being a friend to a friendless Death Row inmate for so long. I share your astonishment that he feels “life is good” around the nature and earth he never gets to touch. Thank you Maureen and Liz for your affirmation and the way you are such lights in this world.

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