Be Released and Set Free

Building Relationships (Join us in prayer for real change from contact info on flyer)

I went to see this play on Saturday, October 5th, not really knowing what it was about, but that my niece was one of the featured characters. As I watched it I realized that it was about choices. We all are faced with decisions each and every day. Some of them are difficult and others seem so fly by night as simple as choosing a shirt or slacks to wear which may not seem that important, right? They obviously may not be as easy as that though! Life is short, but is so fulfilling when we make the right choices. As I watched this production by Maekrisha Jones, I realized that all have made decisions in our life that we would love to change. So, it was with Benjamin and Martha’s daughter Michelle. Michelle had two beautiful children Aliana and Daniel Banks who faced many unnecessary challenges as children because she yielded to unlawful decisions that led her to a life in the Prison System. Michelle, was being released from prison early due to good behavior. She was excited and yet unsure of how she would be perceived by others and the ability to develop a relationship with her children. How would people judge her? Would they be able to put her past behind her and accept the changes she has made? Michelle’s son believed she continued the need for alcohol and had not changed her wavering ways. Do you believe people can and will change if given the opportunity? Should you trust them? (Picture: Faces of freedom and trust in others; Actress Michelle and family after play)

Have you met incarcerated individuals that have faced similar situations with trying to reconnect with family? What did they do? What other problems may individuals face upon being released from prison? One of the biggest problems Michelle faced was trying to regain the trust of her family, especially her very own children. They had been separated for three years and numerous feelings had developed of mistrust and unforgiveness as with Daniel, her son. This was a long road towards resolutions of trust and faith in each person. Michelle wanted to take her rightful place as a mother and Daniel felt she had lost that right because he believed that he was the one that had been there for his little sister. Do you believe individuals that return into society can just step back into their roles or must build relationships and earn their way?

Think About Our Decisions

Decisions must not be made hapharzardly, we must think about the consequences and how they affect everyone in our circle. Individuals may think that the choices they make will only affect them, but as we see in this play, the choices, Michelle made affected her parents, who had to provide for the two extra mouths of the grandchildren, therefore their finances were impacted. The Granddad was a Deacon in his church and borrowed money from the church which he had planned to repay but had not done so. This caused problems with his character and relationship with the church family, community and friends. Individuals from the community did not believe Michelle to be trustworthy because of her incarceration and watched her very closely. Can you think of a decision that you made which influenced the life of others or your relationship with them? God reminds us of his love and how he is waiting on us to seek his decision for us in all things, Jeremiah 29:11 for he knows the plans that he has for each of us. Proverbs 3:5-7 reminds us that God wants us to acknowledge him in all our ways, even concerning our finances.

Message of Redemption

God has provided a plan of redemption through his son Jesus Christ. He is waiting for us to make our requests known unto him. The main thing that we must remember is that each of us are stronger with others that we are alone . May we realize that no man is an island, and that no man stands alone. Let us seek others that have already traveled the road that we are on and maybe willing to help us maneuver our way. This was a very powerful message of the redemption of Jesus Christ and how each of the lives affected saw the need of Him in their lives and situation. Every individual in the story realized that they needed direction from Jesus in every step of the way. We know today that we can do nothing without him leading and guiding us in all truths of the Father (John 16:13). Seek out the plans that God has for your life, there are individuals that are willing to share with you. I am DrWanda, Life Coach and would love to share some truths of the Father from his Word and life lessons to help you choose the way you must go to develop choices to help you reach your goals and plans to break the chains of life!

DrWanda Life Coach wandaphd.com

Durham Arts Council Maekrisha Jones Production Presents “Broken Chains” from Life Coach Perspective to Trust God and Believe in Second Chances