Chaplain's Remarks
A Changed Man
Below is a story that I enjoyed sharing with the Year 5 class this week about the transformation change that God brings to our lives when we accept Him.
"Harry sat in his prison cell with his head between his hands. Never in his life had he been given so much time just to think. And the more he thought, the less he liked himself. After a few short days in jail, he had decided that he was a fake, a cheat, and a criminal of the worst kind. One by one, as he replayed the events of his life, he could find very little to make him feel proud. He hadn’t even gone beyond Grade Three in school.
At 20, he had gambled all his money away and was deep in debt. His shoulders sagged as he remembered setting fire to his cheese factory so he could collect the insurance money. He sighed as he thought how he had left town suddenly, and of the wife and baby he left behind with no one to care for them.
As his mind wandered back into the past, he clearly saw the railway explosion that killed 14 men. He remembered planting the bomb that caused the destruction. No, he decided, Harry Orchard was not a good man, and he was not a happy man. He didn’t want to think about the court case that had put him in this prison cell, but he kept seeing it over again and again in his mind and hearing the Judge’s words, “Albert Horseley, known in this town as Harry Orchard, this court finds you guilty of the murder of former Governor Frank Steunenberg.” “Guilty! Guilty! Guilty,” the words shouted in Harry’s mind.
He jumped up off his narrow prison bunk and his foot stumbled on the book lying on the floor. “Stupid book,” he shouted, “What can you do to help me?” He kicked it under his bunk, and the words “Holy Bible” shone at him off the dull black cover as he did so. Harry flung himself face down on his bunk. What a mess he had made of his life.
“Harry! Harry Orchard, there’s someone here to see you,” announced the warden. “It’s Mr. Steunenberg’s son.” Harry gulped. What did the son of the man he had murdered want with him? He turned over and looked up, his eyes narrowing into slits. A hand slowly reached between the bars, holding a small, wrapped package. “Th-this is from mother,” the lad stammered. “She wanted you to know she forgives you for what you did to father. She hopes this little book will help you find God’s forgiveness and love.” With these words, the boys slipped out as silently as he had come.
Harry turned the package over in his hand. He pulled the string and unfolded the brown paper. In his hands he held a slim book. He read the title. Steps to Christ. Why would someone care about him, Harry wondered, when all he had done was bring them pain? Harry was curious. Opening the book, he began to read about God’s grace and forgiveness. The little book encouraged him to read the Bible, so Harry fished it out from under his bunk and turning the pages, he began to read. What he discovered between the covers of the book excited him, and he kept reading every day. Little by little, he learned to love Jesus, and one day he knelt beside his bunk, and accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. As Harry read the Bible each day, the prison wardens and fellow prisoners noticed some differences in him.
Sullen looks were replaced with smiles. Rough manners were replaced with kind words and actions. Stubbornness was replaced with a cheerful willingness to work hard. Anger gave way to contentment. Each morning Harry read his Bible and each night he placed it on his pillow as he slept. He became so well liked and respected that eventually he was allowed to set up a little farm at the prison, growing chickens and strawberries. Now everyone liked Harry, but because of his crimes, he was never allowed to go free. Harry spent 48 years in prison until he died at the age of 88, but he died a changed man, and all because of the Bible."
(Retold by Bev Christian)
Have a great week
Chaplain Phil
For the full story you can access it on the link below