Redemption's Song

Bob Marley had a wonderful moving song called “Redemptions’ Song”, with imagery of slavery, hatred and the ultimate capacity of man to overcome. With the soft strumming of an acoustic guitar in the background, Marley over and over with his Reggae lilt sang “Redemption’s Song”.



One of my closest friends in here is DC. I’ve written a good deal about him over the months. He is the gentlest man I ever met. I consider it an honor to have him as a friend. I’ve hinted at scenes from his life in blogs: his boxing skills, his excessive sentence (39 years served to date), his marriage.


With his permission, I tell you the rest of the story. Redemption is not just a word. I have learned from watching this remarkable man, no heart is truly beyond redemption. No one is beyond God’s grace.


In 1972 DC – as an angry 18 year old black boxer from the District of Columbia – was arrested for multiple armed robberies of banks and convenience stores. At least two people died during these crimes. He was ultimately convicted of one robbery and sentenced to twenty years. When he started his “bid” he was just nineteen, recently married and the father of two little girls.


“I was angry and I loved to fight”. I have a hard time hearing DC say that. He has a very soft voice and always smiles. But, the fact is, he was brutal and merciless.


For the next 13 years, 1973-1986, DC preyed on weaker inmates in the system and added time to his sentence. Twice he was arrested for attempting to rape female officers. Five convictions for assaults. He was one of the most vicious, brutal men in a brutal prison system. He spent years in “the hole”. He had years added to his sentence. Yet, every available visitation day, his wife and daughters would arrive for visits.


In 1985 he murdered a fellow inmate during a prison riot. His release date was pushed back to 2022. His wife arrived for her visit. DC looked me in the eye and said: “She cried softly and said I know the man I love wouldn’t do these things. If you aren’t going to fight for that man, tell me and I’ll give up and move on.”


DC was angrier than ever. He told her, “I don’t give a shit what you do”, and he stormed out of his visit.


Something happened over the next few days. The man, the real man, the one his lay minister mother prayed about every day, the one his father remembered by a baby picture he carried in Korea when he was stationed there, began to fight back.


DC began to fast and meditate. He began to fight the anger and bitterness within. In a tearful reunion with his wife, he vowed to never strike another person again.


That was 25 years ago. In 25 years, DC has never broken even the smallest, most insignificant rule. He is a committed pacifist. He is a man of peace.


I’m not sure when DC will be released. Last week he had his “annual” parole hearing. He shows no worry. Even after 38 years he says, “When the time comes for my release, God will make it happen.”


His wife? Every month his wife comes to see him, just as she has for 39 years. Now she is joined by her daughters, their husbands and grandchildren.


His mom and dad come down quarterly. His father told him a month ago “I didn’t miss a day prayin’ for you all these years.”


It’s not a pretty story, but it is one of the most amazing and inspiring stories I’ve ever heard. That’s what redemption is: powerful, overwhelming and possible for anyone. Don’t think a man like DC can be redeemed? The success of the entire Christian church rested on the shoulders of a man whose life work was to persecute believers. Then, one day he suddenly was redeemed. If God could redeem Paul, He can redeem anyone.