Dangerous Men

Dangerous Men

Sing Sing is a maximum-security prison in New York. In the 1920s Kathryn Lawes and her three young daughters joined her husband as he became the warden. Many people told her to stay away from the prison because these were the most dangerous men and it would be best for her and the girls to stay away. But soon she was visiting the men and told people, don’t worry, Lewis and I are taking care of these men, and they will take care of us.

If she heard of a need, she worked to help the prisoner. There was a blind man, a murderer, that she taught to read braille. There was a couple of prisoners that could not hear so she learned sign language so that she could spend time with them and communicate. For 16 yrs. she ministered to these hardened killers and thugs. She showed compassion and love for them, and they grew to respect her greatly. 

One morning Warden Lawes did not come to work. Word spread quickly that Kathryn had been killed in an accident. Her body was laid at their home just down the road. All the men lined up along the fence hoping to hear any news. It was then that the warden made a very strange decision. He opened the gate and told them to go.  He said, “just go see her and come back.” He let every man walk out, murderers, rapists, robbers, some very violent men. They all walked out, down the road and a while later they all came back. EVERY single man. How amazing! Love truly does change people. Jesus changed people. Jesus changed the hardest hearts. He still does. I am sure that while Jesus walked the earth, many people who just came in contact with Him, were changed. I know that the women who touched the hem of his garment was changed forever. She knew that just touching His hem, would heal her.

Real love. His love touches us daily. Can we touch others? Can we impact people with love so that He can impact their hearts? Can we be a little softer? A little sweeter? A little kinder? So they will see Jesus in us.

Lord, help us to show the world how you love. Help us to influence people to see you. Amen

Shirlene Peterson