Seeing With New Eyes
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Rudy looked around. He couldn't believe it. It had finally ended. He was free. Rudy practically skipped down the long hall to his lawyer, who was waiting to drive him home.
Two years in prison was two years too long for him. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time, a false accusation, and wrongful conviction had led to two years of lost time. Two years of being treated as an animal with no personality. Two years of living under constant supervision, with no privacy whatsoever.
It had been a long two years, but Rudy had worked hard with his lawyer until the real criminal was apprehended. His lawyer had warned him that Rudy would be a changed man on the "outside." But Rudy couldn't wait. He wanted freedom. He could just taste it. For two long years that was all he had thought about.
The transition was very difficult. Rudy couldn't sleep very well. He couldn't get used to the quiet of his suburban neighborhood. Had it always been so peaceful?
His wife and family seemed the same, but Rudy had changed. He saw everything through the eyes of a captive. He knew he needed help.
It took another two years of intense counseling, first with Rudy and then with the family as a whole, until Rudy felt comfortable enough to be his old self. But he knew he could never really be his old self. Gone were quick dismissals of people. Gone was the ungrateful heart he had once had. Gone was the cynicism.
Rudy saw everything with new eyes. He saw the hard work of the waitress. He told the school janitor how much he appreciated his constant supervision of the school grounds. He shared his story with the teachers so they could understand. He never wanted any of his staff or the students to feel trapped, convicted, or judged. Rudy never wanted anyone to feel that way while he was principal.
For years after his imprisonment, Rudy shared with anyone he could about his experience in prison. In church, at the school, and to any group who would have him, Rudy shared the unbelievable oppression of prison.
Rudy was free now. He was able to feel gratitude, humor, hurt, and happiness once again. It was great to be able to have an opinion that mattered.
He was free. Free to be himself. Free just to be!
Two years in prison was two years too long for him. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time, a false accusation, and wrongful conviction had led to two years of lost time. Two years of being treated as an animal with no personality. Two years of living under constant supervision, with no privacy whatsoever.
It had been a long two years, but Rudy had worked hard with his lawyer until the real criminal was apprehended. His lawyer had warned him that Rudy would be a changed man on the "outside." But Rudy couldn't wait. He wanted freedom. He could just taste it. For two long years that was all he had thought about.
The transition was very difficult. Rudy couldn't sleep very well. He couldn't get used to the quiet of his suburban neighborhood. Had it always been so peaceful?
His wife and family seemed the same, but Rudy had changed. He saw everything through the eyes of a captive. He knew he needed help.
It took another two years of intense counseling, first with Rudy and then with the family as a whole, until Rudy felt comfortable enough to be his old self. But he knew he could never really be his old self. Gone were quick dismissals of people. Gone was the ungrateful heart he had once had. Gone was the cynicism.
Rudy saw everything with new eyes. He saw the hard work of the waitress. He told the school janitor how much he appreciated his constant supervision of the school grounds. He shared his story with the teachers so they could understand. He never wanted any of his staff or the students to feel trapped, convicted, or judged. Rudy never wanted anyone to feel that way while he was principal.
For years after his imprisonment, Rudy shared with anyone he could about his experience in prison. In church, at the school, and to any group who would have him, Rudy shared the unbelievable oppression of prison.
Rudy was free now. He was able to feel gratitude, humor, hurt, and happiness once again. It was great to be able to have an opinion that mattered.
He was free. Free to be himself. Free just to be!
