During my time in Billerica House of Correction I came to realized that I was given that time to go over my actions that brought me to jail and how it has affected my family, friends, and me. I wish I could go back in time and change what I have done. However, I know that this is not possible and I am subject to all that this has brought upon me. During my time I spent incarcerated I was able to reflect on my life and where it was going and how I cost my family the most harm by putting myself into this place.

I had discovered that I was a very upset individual and that I let my life be taken away by failing my responsibility of a father and a husband by not seeking the help that was available to me for my depression, anxiety and bipolar. I am no way putting any blame on my illnesses, as I was the one in charge of my own life and actions.

During this time, I had also come to realized that I needed to make changes in my life. By bettering myself with the skills God gave me. Therefore I spent those 3 1/2 years finding my place with God by doing some through the mail Bible Studies, studying the Word of God, and spending time in fellowship with other Christians. By doing this I came to know how to put His Words into better use in my life. I also came across some wonderful Christian programs that helped guide me with the changes I need to make in my life.

One is being The Purpose Driven Life byRickWarren. This is a 40-day spiritual journey to show us how to live our life for the purposes that God has created for us, which are Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Missions. Using these purposes has helped me live a better purposeful life doing the work God has planed for me.

The second being Celebrate Recovery which is a Christian based recovery program that deal with changing your hurts, habits and hang-ups. The purpose of Celebrate Recovery is to fellowship and celebrates God’s healing power in our lives through the eight recovery principles found in the Beatitudes and the Christ-centered 12 steps. This experience has allowed me to be a changed person. I have opened the doors by sharing my experience, victories, and hopes with others. In addition, I have become willing to accept God’s grace in solving my life’s problems and seeking His guidance in making these changes

I do not know if I will ever be able to win the love of my family again, however, my faith in Christ gives me hope that this too shall pass. I am committed to turning my life around through the programs that God has placed before me, and to give back to others what God has freely given to me (mercy, grace, and love).

In the Bible it say’s we are to give up our old selves and become new in our Lord Jesus. This I feel I have done by becoming committed to serve our Lord Jesus. I never thought I would ever end up in jail. However, I am now very thankful to God for His mercy, grace and love that He has provided to me while serving time, and for the lessons He has brought before me. I now know and understand that God has a plan for me and that I am ready to be one of His humble servants. Doing His work through my uses of the Christian programs, he has placed before me here to help others and myself to fulfill His purposes in not only my life but to all who He has placed before me.

Dennis

P.S. If you would like to see my answers for my baptism click here. It explains a little more of my faith in Christ.