The Patricia Jimenez Story
By Keisha Hayes
Posted: 4:49p.m .est, October 08, 2006

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. Psalms 37:40

 

"When I was a little girl, I would see people shouting in church and I would be thinking why are they doing that? Now, I know!"

It’s been eight years since 44-year old Patricia Jimenez’s faith was put to work. "All the years before…I knew about God. I knew he took care of me through domestic violence, a divorce and as a single parent raising three children…but I always wanted more." Patricia says that need for more, soon became an obsession for material wealth. Her faith was no longer in God. Instead, it was driving her pursuit of high-class society. "The Great ‘I’ is who I became. I felt I didn’t need anybody. I was the one who always showed up in church dressed nice. I paid my tithes. I supported church activities. Basically, I was buying my relationship with God," and where her treasure was…there too was her heart. Patricia’s love of money eventually began to consume her. "Greed set in. So I set out for another job with an organization where I had to write checks. Turns out he (her boss) had me writing checks for his personal welfare."

 

Like her spiritual shortcomings…Patricia was completely unaware of the crime she had committed. But, that would soon change. On July 10, 1995, Patricia was sentenced to 36-months in federal prison. It was Patricia’s legal punishment for writing bogus checks…but she also reflects on it as God’s way of saving her. "I was devastated. I cried as I was stripped down of everything I owned. I had nothing but a blue jail jump suit. I kept saying I’m going to get out of here. I hadn’t accepted it yet."

 

36-years old at the time…Patricia says until that day…she never truly realized what Faith was all about. She was missing its essential ingredient…Love. A fruit of the spirit, Patricia did not willingly accept. "I said Lord, here I am with these people. I was one who didn’t want to drive through Frenchtown…I would lock my doors when people came up to my car. I didn’t want to associate with low lives."

 

Fortunately, God had another plan for Patricia’s life. It began with her first roommate…a woman Patricia now calls an angel. "This woman had two teeth…she was one of the most frightening things you would ever want to see…I wouldn’t even talk to her." But, after three weeks, Patricia became overwhelmed by the woman’s loving-kindness. An act of God that forever changed the way she looks at people. "She turned out to be the kindest woman. She would always say ‘Good morning roomie , I love Jesus and you love Jesus…and one day you will say so too." And almost instantly, just as Patricia’s faith had slipped away…it came back…stronger than ever. "I learned that God had allowed this to happen to me…to bring me closer to him."

 

For the next 29-months…Patricia bid the world goodbye…physically through incarceration…spiritually through surrendering to Christ. This would open the door to a more intimate fellowship with God. "My second roommate Callie would always say, You got to talk to God. You just got to talk to him."

 

So she did, and the rest is history. "When I came closer to God, talking to him and reading his word…things began to change. Before, I didn’t know the stories of the Bible. In prison, I learned them. I could relate, I could understand them better."

 

Patricia says in prison she learned, firsthand, that everything in life happens for a reason. Ironically, she says her time behind bars…was probably the most liberating experience she’s ever had. A freedom she says only comes when you truly decide to live for Christ…no exceptions. "This is my charge from God…to let everyone know how great God is. He’s great in everyone’s life. Like my angels said, You just got to love Jesus and talk to him."

 

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1John 4:7

 

Patricia’s Prayer
Thank you Father for loving me. Thank you for your grace and mercy coming into my life so I can share with the world how great you are. In Jesus name…Amen.