Sundays are always busy for me.  This morning I was in the chapel for the main worship service of the week.  The volunteer minister who came in to encourage us, “Brother Alan,” is an ex-con.  He did a handful of years in prison, but he’s been out for a long time.

     Presently Alan works in the garment industry and he is active in his church.  He’s also raising a teenage son.  Brother Alan always inspires me because he’s a success story, and he has walked in my shoes.   He understands the struggles prisoners have.

     At my chaplain’s direction, and after another man finished making the weekly announcements to the congregation, I began the service by getting the men to worship and praise the Lord.

     I was also able to share with the men about my situation concerning my lower back and right leg, and how I began drinking cranberry juice before bedtime. The guys had a laugh with this, yet the juice seems to be having an effect.

     Last night I drank my second and final can.  This morning, thankfully, for the second day in a row my pain has been minimal.  I have been able to walk easily, and I was on my feet all morning without any problems.

     I believe the Lord has heard and responded to my cries of distress.  I also have the feeling these guys are going to be buying a lot of cranberry juice from the prison’s commissary.

 David Berkowitz

                                                                                  January 29, 2006

©2006 David Berkowitz