Special Thank You Cards
When we celebrated the graduation of three Resilient Bible studies inside the prison, it was a full-on celebration—certificates, pizza, a few speeches, chaplain shout-outs, and some impromptu testimonies that nearly turned into sermons. Tucked into all of that was one quiet invitation.
We scattered a few blank cards on the tables and said, “These are for the people who support Resilient from the outside—folks who give and pray for you. If you want to say something to them, here’s your shot.”
We did the same thing at one of our weekly church meetings—the kind that doesn’t have a start date or an end date, just a faithful rhythm of showing up. Same invitation, same stack of cards, same open door.
What came back was honest—sometimes barely legible, with the occasional misspelled word or awkward punctuation. But, always real.
Below are some of those handwritten notes, with a few of my own comments sprinkled in. I hope you’ll read them slowly. They’re small glimpses into the bigger story God’s writing in places most people don’t see.
1
“He is more powerful than any drug. Jesus is in me, beside me, no matter what.”
I was advised that this inmate might not follow through with her commitment to attend the Bible study. She had dropped out of other programs. However, she attended every session and became more confident in her faith.
2
Becoming a better reader isn’t something we are aiming for. And I never call on people to read. But, this inmate wanted to challenge herself to read out loud to the group. The other inmates cheered her on. It was neat to watch.
3
“I know God is here with us. We can count on him.”
4
It can be easy to shrug off a comment like this one. It’s just a few words on a slip of paper. But a prisoner coming to believe that she is really forgiven is no small thing. This simple declaration represents a sea change in an inmate who likely struggled with a deep and abiding sense of shame and worthlessness.
5
As humans, we understand the concept of debt and payments. But grace? That confounds us and can take a lifetime to appreciate truly.
6
In prison, the wrong friendships can drain you financially through constant requests for “help” with snacks and items from the prison store. Even worse, choosing the wrong friendship group can result in a relapse. Thus, learning “to love others from a distance” is a recurring and important theme.
7
This card captures the full range of our time together—sharing stories from the past, that unmistakable prison-style humor, and walking through grief side by side.
This round, one woman lost her mother to illness. Another found her cellmate after a suicide. In prison, an inmate might get to attend a loved one’s funeral—but there’s no recognition for a death that happens inside. So we held a memorial service during Bible class to help her grieve and begin healing from the trauma of what she saw.
8
I love it when a verse we studied hits home. In a world that demands performance and perfection, it’s reassuring to know that true love originates from a loving God, not our lovability.
9
PREEEEACH, Sister. Preach!!!
10
This card might have my (misspelled!) name on it, but it’s really meant for you, too.
CrossWalk sends me, you support me, and together we’re reaching the hearts of people in addiction.
Closer to God
This group of thank you cards had a similar theme: “This class helped me get closer to God.”
Not Alone
Feeling alone—feeling rejected, criticized, or shamed—is a huge part of addiction, across the board. And inside prison, that isolation can feel even heavier.
This card was written in a color my scanner could not pick up. However, it reads: “The class greatly impacted me by showing how to have compassion for others. It also showed me that it is OK to ask for help.”
Safe Place
There aren’t many places where you can safely say what you’re really thinking—where you can share half-formed thoughts, test ideas out loud, and reach for meaning in the dark. That’s especially true when it comes to big, tender topics like God, addiction, guilt, and redemption.
But for many people, Resilient Bible studies have become that place.
Another pen color my scanner can’t read. But, this is what the card says, “This class was a safe place we didn’t know we needed. A Blessing & awesome. Can’t wait for the next class.”
Purpose
Addiction is tightly woven into what researchers call the “Deaths of Despair”—the wave of overdoses, suicides, and substance-related illnesses claiming more lives now than at any time since the Great Depression.
It’s heavy. But it’s not the whole story.
This class helps people begin to see their lives differently—to find meaning, purpose, and the sense that they’re still here for a reason.
Truly grasping the weight of this verse has helped many addicts walk away from lifestyles that diminish the glory God placed in them as human beings—and begin reaching for a life marked by dignity, responsibility, and self-giving love.
Miscellaneous
Here are a few cards that didn’t fit neatly into any category.
Okay, in my defense…
This class had two people with very similar-sounding last names—think somewhere in the realm of Vasquez, Velasco, Velasquez, Valdes, Valencia, Valadez. . . you get the idea. I spent the first few weeks confidently adding or subtracting syllables like it was a word puzzle.
Apparently, it irked them just enough to make it into a thank-you card. But judging by the smiley face, I’m pretty sure it was light-hearted. I mean... couldn’t still be mad about it, right?
Until I read this, I had forgotten that I had read a couple of gloriously dumb dad jokes in one of the classes, courtesy of another chaplain.
One of them claimed the Bible clearly says men should make the coffee. The proof? There’s a whole New Testament book called Hebrews. Get it? He brews.
The other was about a kid who, after going to a wedding, tells someone that men are allowed to have 16 wives. Why? Because the pastor said, “Four better, four worse, four richer, four poorer.”
You read them all!
If you made it to the end of this card stack, chances are you care deeply about Resilient Recovery Ministries and our mission to share the gospel with people in addiction recovery. Thank you for that. Truly.
If you’re able, would you consider making an additional mid-year gift? Your support helps us finish strong—and keep growing, reaching, and walking with more people in the year ahead.
Just click “Support Resilient Financially” in the form below.