In Memory of Susan Denise Atkins-Whitehouse
Susan and Cassandra
In Susan's works
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse,
Susan's 12th Christian newsletter is dated September, 1997.
In her letter,
Susan tells us that a few months ago,
while cleaning up the front of her housing unit,
she had found a fellow inmate's
identification card on the ground.
The inmates have to carry their card with them at all times.
Susan turned the card in to the unit housing officer.
It angered the inmate that Susan had not returned the ID directly to her.
In Susan's works
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse,
Susan's 12th Christian newsletter is dated September, 1997.
In her letter,
Susan tells us that a few months ago,
while cleaning up the front of her housing unit,
she had found a fellow inmate's
identification card on the ground.
The inmates have to carry their card with them at all times.
Susan turned the card in to the unit housing officer.
It angered the inmate that Susan had not returned the ID directly to her.
In the days that followed,
Susan tells us the inmate became critical of her,
got angry with her,
called Susan names,
and made accusations.
Susan tells us,
"Now, I've been walking with Jesus for a long time.
This certainly was not the first time I've experienced
this type of thing, and I'm sure it's not going to be the last.
I learned a long time ago that type of person is exactly the one
who needs our prayers. God is dealing with their heart,
and the outburst of anger at a child of God,
justified or not, is usually an indication that in some way
they are struggling with their own faith in God.
It certainly doesn't mean I'm better than her,
it just means that she needs prayer,
just like I did when I was angry with God,
the world,
and myself.
Susan tells us the inmate became critical of her,
got angry with her,
called Susan names,
and made accusations.
Susan tells us,
"Now, I've been walking with Jesus for a long time.
This certainly was not the first time I've experienced
this type of thing, and I'm sure it's not going to be the last.
I learned a long time ago that type of person is exactly the one
who needs our prayers. God is dealing with their heart,
and the outburst of anger at a child of God,
justified or not, is usually an indication that in some way
they are struggling with their own faith in God.
It certainly doesn't mean I'm better than her,
it just means that she needs prayer,
just like I did when I was angry with God,
the world,
and myself.
So I began to pray for Cassandra.
Every time I'd see her, I'd pray for her.
I saw her nearly every day. Sometimes my natural inclination
would be to want to justify myself in her eyes,
to make her see that I really am a child of God.
But that wasn't the issue.
The issue was that she needed prayer, to know how much
Jesus loves her, and all He did for her to set her free.
What others think of me has long since passed as a
consideration in the way I live as a Christian"
Every time I'd see her, I'd pray for her.
I saw her nearly every day. Sometimes my natural inclination
would be to want to justify myself in her eyes,
to make her see that I really am a child of God.
But that wasn't the issue.
The issue was that she needed prayer, to know how much
Jesus loves her, and all He did for her to set her free.
What others think of me has long since passed as a
consideration in the way I live as a Christian"
Susan tells us what was going on with the inmate
that Susan reacted to;
"Cassandra didn't live on my housing unit, so I didn't have to deal
with her very obvious dislike for me on a daily basis.
Even though I saw her nearly every day, it was only in passing.
My prayers for her were very simple, something like,
'Jesus, please reveal Yourself to Cassandra, and woo her to Yourself'
Sometime later, I noticed that Cassandra was moving.
She had all of her belongings on a flat-bed cart,
and was heading into my housing unit.
My natural response was not very spiritual-
I knew this woman didn't like me and I didn't want to have
another run in with her.
Because I'm just as human as the next person,
it's never easy being rejected by someone who doesn't even know you.
I had to deal with that part of my heart,
and every time I felt hurt by her rejection
I'd just pray for her, and trust that God would take care of it"
Susan tells us she watched, but didn't know why,
Cassandra moved in and out of
Susan's housing unit a few times in less than two weeks.
that Susan reacted to;
"Cassandra didn't live on my housing unit, so I didn't have to deal
with her very obvious dislike for me on a daily basis.
Even though I saw her nearly every day, it was only in passing.
My prayers for her were very simple, something like,
'Jesus, please reveal Yourself to Cassandra, and woo her to Yourself'
Sometime later, I noticed that Cassandra was moving.
She had all of her belongings on a flat-bed cart,
and was heading into my housing unit.
My natural response was not very spiritual-
I knew this woman didn't like me and I didn't want to have
another run in with her.
Because I'm just as human as the next person,
it's never easy being rejected by someone who doesn't even know you.
I had to deal with that part of my heart,
and every time I felt hurt by her rejection
I'd just pray for her, and trust that God would take care of it"
Susan tells us she watched, but didn't know why,
Cassandra moved in and out of
Susan's housing unit a few times in less than two weeks.
"It's not easy being moved by the prison authorities from one place to the next.
I knew Cassandra was a life term prisoner, and that it's a common desire
for life term prisoners generally to want to find their niche, settle in,
and do their life term with as little disruption as possible.
Every time I'd see Cassandra move, I'd be moved with pity
for her and pray for her all the more"
Susan continues;
"Cassandra is one of the prettiest young women
I've seen come into the prison in a very long time.
She is a physically beautiful woman.
Because of that, there are many things
and games and life styles in prison
that sought her time and attention.
Many temptations hit her every day.
Her obvious beauty, youth, intelligence, and energy are enhanced
by her winning smile. She has a lot of friends,
some good for her, others not so good for her"
If anyone knows, Susan certainly does.
I knew Cassandra was a life term prisoner, and that it's a common desire
for life term prisoners generally to want to find their niche, settle in,
and do their life term with as little disruption as possible.
Every time I'd see Cassandra move, I'd be moved with pity
for her and pray for her all the more"
Susan continues;
"Cassandra is one of the prettiest young women
I've seen come into the prison in a very long time.
She is a physically beautiful woman.
Because of that, there are many things
and games and life styles in prison
that sought her time and attention.
Many temptations hit her every day.
Her obvious beauty, youth, intelligence, and energy are enhanced
by her winning smile. She has a lot of friends,
some good for her, others not so good for her"
If anyone knows, Susan certainly does.
Cassandra was speaking with another inmate about things
that were troubling her, and she had questions about
Heaven, the book of Revelation, the Tribulation, and hell.
The other inmate told Cassandra these questions can best be answered
by Susan, as she knows a lot about the Bible,
so the other inmate fetched Susan.
Susan tells us Cassandra "didn't want to go to hell.
She didn't want to continue to live the kind of life
she had been living and wanted to have
peace in her heart. So I shared with her as much
from the Bible as time would allow that night
before it was lock-down time.
I was really quite surprised that Cassandra was so open,
though I don't know why I should have been so surprised,
when a heart is hungry for the things of God,
peace of heart and mind, that person is usually very open
to hear the truth from God's Word.
Cassandra thanked me for taking the time with her,
and I assured her it really was my pleasure.
It's always a pleasure to be an instrument in the Hand of God,
knowing that the outcome is going to be a new birth into the Kingdom of God"
Isn't that beautiful?
Isn't that so Susan?
We think so too!
that were troubling her, and she had questions about
Heaven, the book of Revelation, the Tribulation, and hell.
The other inmate told Cassandra these questions can best be answered
by Susan, as she knows a lot about the Bible,
so the other inmate fetched Susan.
Susan tells us Cassandra "didn't want to go to hell.
She didn't want to continue to live the kind of life
she had been living and wanted to have
peace in her heart. So I shared with her as much
from the Bible as time would allow that night
before it was lock-down time.
I was really quite surprised that Cassandra was so open,
though I don't know why I should have been so surprised,
when a heart is hungry for the things of God,
peace of heart and mind, that person is usually very open
to hear the truth from God's Word.
Cassandra thanked me for taking the time with her,
and I assured her it really was my pleasure.
It's always a pleasure to be an instrument in the Hand of God,
knowing that the outcome is going to be a new birth into the Kingdom of God"
Isn't that beautiful?
Isn't that so Susan?
We think so too!
Susan goes on to say that the following Sunday,
she went to chapel service,
but got there when there was standing room only.
During the service, Susan spotted Cassandra seated;
she went to chapel service,
but got there when there was standing room only.
During the service, Susan spotted Cassandra seated;
"When it came time for the altar call,
I started praying for Cassandra.
I was hoping she would stand up for Jesus and she did.
She went forward and prayed,
openly confessing Jesus and her heart to Him,
with about 30 to 40 other women.
There are some who doubt the sincerity of a 'jail-house conversion',
but I'll share something with you,
the chapel is not a popular place
in main stream prisons.
Most prisoners who go to chapel are usually
ridiculed and mocked,
not for their faith,
but for perceived weakness
by other hardened convicts.
It's not an easy thing to stand up in a
prison chapel and give your life to Jesus Christ.
It's a profoundly scary experience.
Especially if the convict / prisoner is particularly popular
on the main-line yard for a life style that is totally
contrary to the Word of God.
So it takes a very courageous soul
to take such a stand and then
return to the main yard and not just
profess to be a Christian,
but to live the Christian life.
Guards and fellow convicts watch every
move, listen to every word, and when a Christian convict / prisoner
makes a mistake, there are lots and lots of other prisoners around
who will ensure they are reminded that they are supposed to be a Christian.
So Cassandra's stand for Jesus Christ was a very brave and
courageous thing for her to do. She could have prayed and accepted
Jesus into her heart in her room alone, never told anyone about it until
she'd gathered courage and strength, but she chose to
confess Jesus publicly, in a prison chapel"
I started praying for Cassandra.
I was hoping she would stand up for Jesus and she did.
She went forward and prayed,
openly confessing Jesus and her heart to Him,
with about 30 to 40 other women.
There are some who doubt the sincerity of a 'jail-house conversion',
but I'll share something with you,
the chapel is not a popular place
in main stream prisons.
Most prisoners who go to chapel are usually
ridiculed and mocked,
not for their faith,
but for perceived weakness
by other hardened convicts.
It's not an easy thing to stand up in a
prison chapel and give your life to Jesus Christ.
It's a profoundly scary experience.
Especially if the convict / prisoner is particularly popular
on the main-line yard for a life style that is totally
contrary to the Word of God.
So it takes a very courageous soul
to take such a stand and then
return to the main yard and not just
profess to be a Christian,
but to live the Christian life.
Guards and fellow convicts watch every
move, listen to every word, and when a Christian convict / prisoner
makes a mistake, there are lots and lots of other prisoners around
who will ensure they are reminded that they are supposed to be a Christian.
So Cassandra's stand for Jesus Christ was a very brave and
courageous thing for her to do. She could have prayed and accepted
Jesus into her heart in her room alone, never told anyone about it until
she'd gathered courage and strength, but she chose to
confess Jesus publicly, in a prison chapel"
Susan tells us that after the service,
Susan and others welcomed their newest member into the Kingdom
and Family of God, and reassured her that if things got rough,
Susan and the others would be there for her.
"We each had come out of pitiful,
miserable sin-filled lives
and know first hand what Cassandra had done,
and that the walk ahead of her, though filled with heart-felt peace,
was not going to be an easy life.
Being a Christian takes tremendous courage,
especially in prison, and especially when
one is serving a life term sentence.
Ridicule, suspicion, fear, and doubt
assail the soul of the Christian in prison.
Every day"
Susan and others welcomed their newest member into the Kingdom
and Family of God, and reassured her that if things got rough,
Susan and the others would be there for her.
"We each had come out of pitiful,
miserable sin-filled lives
and know first hand what Cassandra had done,
and that the walk ahead of her, though filled with heart-felt peace,
was not going to be an easy life.
Being a Christian takes tremendous courage,
especially in prison, and especially when
one is serving a life term sentence.
Ridicule, suspicion, fear, and doubt
assail the soul of the Christian in prison.
Every day"
Susan tells us that Cassandra later went to her,
apologized to her, and asked for Susan's forgiveness
regarding the row the two of them had.
"I didn't want her to see the tears in my eyes.
I told her that her apology meant a great deal to me.
In fact she may not know how much it meant to me.
Not because I think I need to be apologized to,
but because it's a scriptural principle
that one should make amends,
and it's a sure sign that what she had done on that
Sunday afternoon was genuine"
apologized to her, and asked for Susan's forgiveness
regarding the row the two of them had.
"I didn't want her to see the tears in my eyes.
I told her that her apology meant a great deal to me.
In fact she may not know how much it meant to me.
Not because I think I need to be apologized to,
but because it's a scriptural principle
that one should make amends,
and it's a sure sign that what she had done on that
Sunday afternoon was genuine"
Susan summarizes for us;
"My point in this story is to share with you how important it is for us,
as Christians, to make sure that we don't allow the little persecutions
that may come our way, or the big ones for that matter,
to take a root hold in our hearts, and that we endeavor to pray
for those who don't seem to like us, or care about us.
We've no idea what is going on in their hearts,
or how God will use us,
our prayers for them, to bring them to Himself,
but we can rest assured,
that as we keep our hearts free from unforgiveness,
praying for those we perceive to be our enemies, or those who perceive
themselves to be our enemies, that God's Word will not return to HIM void.
He will make our enemies to be at peace with us,
and more importantly, to be at peace with Him"
"My point in this story is to share with you how important it is for us,
as Christians, to make sure that we don't allow the little persecutions
that may come our way, or the big ones for that matter,
to take a root hold in our hearts, and that we endeavor to pray
for those who don't seem to like us, or care about us.
We've no idea what is going on in their hearts,
or how God will use us,
our prayers for them, to bring them to Himself,
but we can rest assured,
that as we keep our hearts free from unforgiveness,
praying for those we perceive to be our enemies, or those who perceive
themselves to be our enemies, that God's Word will not return to HIM void.
He will make our enemies to be at peace with us,
and more importantly, to be at peace with Him"
Drawing near to the conclusion of her letter,
Susan says
"I asked Cassandra if I could share this story
of God's triumphant entry into her heart and life with you.
She said yes,
and so it's with a great deal of joy
in my heart today that I'm able to bring you
such a wonderful story of Victory in Jesus Christ.
So the next time you have someone at work,
in the neighborhood, at school,
in the cell down the tier or hall from you,
or any angry person shouting curses
at you on the road or in the parking lot,
please pray for them.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless them with prayer for their soul,
pray and ask God to reveal Jesus to them.
It can't hurt them,
and it sure will make you feel
much better in the long run"
Susan concluded and closed her letter.
Susan shared a beautiful story with us.
We are grateful to Susan for sharing it with us.
(All quotes are from
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse)
home
Susan says
"I asked Cassandra if I could share this story
of God's triumphant entry into her heart and life with you.
She said yes,
and so it's with a great deal of joy
in my heart today that I'm able to bring you
such a wonderful story of Victory in Jesus Christ.
So the next time you have someone at work,
in the neighborhood, at school,
in the cell down the tier or hall from you,
or any angry person shouting curses
at you on the road or in the parking lot,
please pray for them.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless them with prayer for their soul,
pray and ask God to reveal Jesus to them.
It can't hurt them,
and it sure will make you feel
much better in the long run"
Susan concluded and closed her letter.
Susan shared a beautiful story with us.
We are grateful to Susan for sharing it with us.
(All quotes are from
The Dove's Nest Newsletters A Collection of Christian Newsletters
by Susan Atkins-Whitehouse)
home
