"I never felt peace before."

“Spence, you gotta hear this.”

I was on my way out the door of Burruss Correctional Training Center. I desperately wanted to get back to my car where water and lunch awaited me. I didn’t want to spend another moment in that prison. It had been a long day already, with an even longer week ahead.

I stopped and turned around. Buford, my teaching assistant, stood next to a young man who was brand new to our horticulture class.

Buford nudged Shamar. “Go on, tell him what I heard.”

Shamar glanced at his orange Crocs. “I never felt peace before.”

Buford nudged him again, “Go on, son, you can tell him.”

Shamar repeated himself. “I never felt peace before.”

Stillness ensued. I had no clue what was happening.

Buford explained. “When we were working in the garden, I heard Shamar say to himself that he’d never felt peace before. But working in that soil, he felt it. See Spence, what you’re doing matters.”

I asked Shamar gently, “And how did that feel?”He looked up and smiled. “I’m not sure. But I think it was good.”

My turn to return the smile. “Yeah, I know it was good.” We shook hands and parted.

Planting in soil. A task most would resent. Hot sun, hard clay, dirty hands, tiny seeds.

But for this kid, this prisoner, it was so much more.

Thank you for your support of HeartBound. Whether through prayer or financial gifts, your care and dedication matter. Buford, Shamar, and so many others are all the better for it. They are seeing – and feeling – the kingdom of God.

Have a blessed day.