More from Julie Breutzmann

When I first wrote this devotional for The Upper Room, I read it to a few friends and asked for constructive criticism. My friend Kent pointed out that I hadn’t mentioned God. It was so obvious to me that God was in my thoughts when I wrote it, but I had only mentioned God once. How ironic that in this writing that talks about showing and telling, I neglected to “tell” in that very writing! I edited my writing and had a much better result. So thank you again, Kent, for your input. 

I continue to be a part of prison/jail ministry. I’ve been doing this for over a decade, and it has blessed me in so many ways. My partners in this ministry agree that we have received far more than we have given. Answering God’s call not only helped God to reach out to the least and the lost, it gave me the joy of serving him. It does not feel like a sacrifice at all. Yes, it has taken more of my time over the years. Yes, there are times when it breaks my heart to see the pain and struggle these women are experiencing. Yes, I wish I was able to do more. Yes, there I times when I don’t know if what I am doing is actually helping. But I have learned that sometimes one breaks the fallow ground, sometimes one plants a seed, sometimes one provides water, and sometimes one reaps the harvest. I may not know about or get to see this all happen, but I know that God will provide the workers to see the job done.