Linda’s Story: All Things Are Possible

“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’ (Mark 9:23)

Ministering in county jails and prisons has given my wife and I a powerful glimpse of the heart of God for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). Many inmates are forgotten by society, friends, even their families. But God knows every one of them by name; each one of them is precious to Him.

Linda and her family of five—mother, father, and three kids—were all arrested for the manufacturing and distribution of crystal meth. On the day of their arrest, Linda had prayed that God would make a way out of that lifestyle for her family. She believes their arrest was an answer to that prayer. She and her husband were both sentenced to the Illinois prison system. We met her in the last two years of her incarceration. She had become a Christian, and we watched firsthand as the Lord showed amazing favor on her life.

Linda had been a licensed nurse in the State of Indiana. Her license was automatically revoked upon her conviction for manufacturing and selling a controlled substance. Now, in the last two years of her confinement, she was required to work outside of the prison facility. Linda was employed at a fast food restaurant, far removed from her calling and her joy of nursing.

One day, she asked us, “If God can do anything, will you guys pray for me to be able to work as a nurse again?” We said, “sure!” In Matthew 18:19, Jesus said, “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” So, the three of us prayed about it, agreeing together concerning the whole matter.

By all appearances, her request was impossible. The State of Indiana would need to agree to reinstate her nursing license while she was still in prison. Then, the State of Illinois would need to grant her reciprocity, allowing her to practice there. Finally, she would need to find a facility that would hire her, a convicted felon still serving her sentence, and accommodate her prison schedule. This had never been done before.

Soon, the State of Indiana convened a hearing in which Linda participated by phone in the warden’s office. Within six weeks, Indiana granted reinstatement. The State of Illinois then granted reciprocity and granted her a license to practice nursing. The Illinois Department of Corrections agreed to allow her to work as a nurse. Finally, she found a health care position at a retirement center, who hired her right away. All within three months.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for teaching us how to pray! I believe! All things are possible for he or she who believes. Nothing is too hard for You—You make a way where there is only a dead end in my face. Thank You for blessing Linda—You changed the trajectory of her life and her family’s future!