Warning: I’m going to gush about a man today.

The first time I heard Bryan Stevenson speak was last summer at a leadership event. By the end of his speech I was on my feet, both incredibly moved by his story, and also incredibly shocked by my ignorance.

I heard him again last weekend at a service. And dudes! Get his book. Just Mercy. You will be so glad you read it!

He’s a ninja of kindness and tenacity (also a lawyer) who is working to make huge changes in the (deeply broken) prison systems in America.

He’s also an INCREDIBLE speaker!

You can watch a version of his talk here.

What’s been circling in my head this week since hearing him is…

2.3 million people are spending this holiday season incarcerated. And as many kids, spending Christmas without those parents.

I know… the prisons… one more broken thing to be overwhelmed by…

Or…

One more chance to lean in. To get close to a topic. To learn about something. And to wonder about what else it could look like and to care.

So I started wondering…

How can I include inmates in my holiday this year?

In my thoughts?
In my list of things I send warmth and love to in my meditations or prayers?
In my gift giving?

Did you know if you google prison penpal, there are many ways to send prisoners letters?

And that Angel Tree is a really cool organization getting gifts to prisoners’ kids?

What gift could you be in a stranger’s life? Especially one the world has kind of forgotten about?

I was really touched someone brought this to my mind last week.

And thus, I bring it to yours.

We have so much. Where else can we a spread a bit of that joy? And what gift might that unleash in your own heart as well?

(And read that book! Just Mercy. Seriously, it’s so good!)