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Today there is a very short story I would like to share with you.  Although things are different in this world than there were almost a decade ago, the same heart, the same desire to be of help, the same longing to make a difference for good exists in so many of our people.  Therefore, on some level, each of us can have the same kind of poignant, beautiful influence on another person.  All is requires is “heart and a willing mind”.  Here is the story, written by Tim Kimmel:

In 1921, Lewis Lawes became the warden at Sing Sing prison. No prison was tougher than Sing Sing during that time. But when Warden Lawes retired some 20 years later, that prison had become a humanitarian institution. Those who studied the system said credit for the change belongs to Lawes.  But when he was asked about the transformation, here's what he said, “I owe it all to my wonderful wife, Catherine, who is buried outside the prison walls.”

Catherine Lawes was a young mother with three small children when her husband became warden.  Everyone warned her from the beginning that she should never set foot inside the prison walls, but that didn't stop Catherine!  When the first prison basketball game was held, she went walking into the gym with her three beautiful kids and she sat in the stands with the inmates.

Her attitude was: “My husband and I are going to take care of these men and I believe they will take care of me! I don't have to worry.” She insisted on getting acquainted with them and their records.  She discovered one convicted murderer was blind so she paid him a visit. Holding his hand in hers she said, “Do you read Braille?”

“What's Braille?” he asked. Then she taught him how to read. Years later he would weep with love for her.

Later, Catherine found a deaf-mute in prison. She went to school to learn how to use sign language.  Many said that Catherine Lawes was the embodiment of Jesus that made Sing Sing come alive again from 1921 to 1937. 

Then, she was killed in a car accident. The next morning Lewis Lawes didn't come to work, so the acting warden took his place. It seemed almost instantly that the prison knew something was wrong.

The following day, her body was resting in a casket in her home, three-quarters of a mile from the prison.  As the acting warden took his early morning walk, he was shocked to see a large crowd of the toughest, hardest-looking criminals gathered like a herd of animals at the main gate. He came closer and noted tears of grief and sadness. He knew how much they loved Catherine.

He turned and faced the men, “All right, men, you can go. Just be sure and check in tonight!”

Then he opened the gate and a parade of criminals walked, without a guard, the three-quarters of a mile to stand in line to pay their final respects to Catherine Lawes. And every one of them checked back in. Every one!

I do not know what it is like to be the prison warden's wife. I cannot fathom the depth of service she performed for those inmates, nor the love they felt for her. But I do know what it's like to speak for a Sunday meeting at a prison. My experience will forever seem a beautiful and blessed moment in mortality.

I met beautiful women, seeking for truth, paying their debt to society for a wrong choice. For the most part, they are loving and in need of love. Some of them genuinely wish to change their lives. Oh, how I hope there is a “Catherine” of some sort for each of them!

I do not presume to have changed a life with the few words I said or the hymn I sang. But I saw and felt the gratitude in those women's eyes at the conclusion of the meeting. I know that many of them felt the Holy Spirit. It was evident in their countenance.

I have seen the look many times — an elderly or infirm neighbor after a group of youth have graciously performed a simple act of service; a hug when one is reeling with grief and hurt; inclusion in a group when there has been exclusion; a second chance when a poor choice has been made; an “I get it!” moment when a teacher brings a true principle to life.