Justine is hoping for release sometime soon. One of our mentors has been companioning her through our Soul Care Mentoring program for nearly 15 years. We are mentored by her as much as our presence assists her. When you encounter Justine, she always has a smile on her face. When you ask how she is, the answer is always “I’m blessed.”
Justine is not only trusted by the officers and staff, but they also often draw inspiration from her. She is even involved in the orientation of new officers to the facility. The other women doing their time find that their time is just a little better due to Justine’s efforts. She volunteers within the facility as a supportive mentor for new arrivals to help them acclimate to prison life in positive ways. She is regularly called on when another woman might be having an emotional crisis. She has also initiated a program within the facility to help indigent women.
Justine has had a tremendous amount of pain in her life. She has been incarcerated for three decades. She has lost all her children. She has no outside visitors. She has come through a life-threatening illness. She has dealt with her suffering and mistakes and has found grateful living a source of freedom and joy.
Grateful living - a source of freedom and joy
Justine notices the goodness in others and regularly tells them with gratitude about their goodness. She notices when people are down and goes out of her way to tell them what a difference they make for others. She notices and enjoys each precious gift of nature, the efforts of others, the small comforts in her life, and especially all that God has done for her.
Just a few moments with Justine and you know “I’m blessed.” Her orientation to gratitude as a way of life not only helps her get through her time, but she has become a transforming and healing presence.