Are you listening?

In a tier environment, your privacy is your bunk area, and your peace has to be your bed. When inmates want to escape the chaos of the tier, they just retire to their area to relax, read, sleep, listen to music etc. Even the yard is used as an escape from the madness of prison. Inmates will walk the track, listen to their music, or just simply lay in the yard to block out their surroundings. There are so many different things inmates do to “lose themselves” in prison. I’ve watched countless inmates be the center of the commotion, wearing everyone out around them, and even exhausting themselves, forcing them to retire to their respected bunk area to rest and recharge their battery. Upon re-charging, they are back at it again, wearing somebody else out. (Wearing somebody out in prison is exhausting them by conversations placing them in a “headlock” of chatter).

Unfortunately because of Jayson’s notoriety, he doesn’t have a safe haven. His personal space doesn’t provide any peace and privacy. When someone wears him out, he escapes to his area, and another inmate intercepts him and begins a conversation. His high visibility never allows him any down time. I have watched countless times how this cycle takes place, and I’ve watched how Jayson always responds consistently with attention and a compassionate ear. He treats everyone the same and does unto them what he would have them do unto him. His example of care and enthusiasm is modeled after Jesus Christ.
I asked him how he deals with the continuous interruptions, and he admitted that it is exhausting at times, but completely understands that God has blessed him greatly. I’m learning to take a page out of Jay’s book as I sometimes get weary of being constantly interrupted, especially when I am trying to get work done at my bunk.
Although a lot of conversations can be one-sided, it is better to show Christ by lending your ear than to show Satan by acting ignorantly. I have a model to live by, not only in the Word and Jesus, but also in the form of 6’10” man with a listening ear the same size. Returning to my safe haven soon to read and pray. Tier life, crazy, but insightful. Sharpening the gifts the good Lord blessed me with.
~~~A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men~~~Proverbs 18:16