Part 2. Continued from “Looking Away“
Just like that, I felt redeemed.
I was leaving my local food co-op when I saw him again. Earlier, I had passed him in the parking lot, mumbling to himself, a Bible tucked under his arm. He was one of those people you see milling about downtown who doesn’t seem “right” in the head.
As I walked out of the food co-op, he approached me. I figured he was going to ask me for money.
Instead, he asked:
“Will you pray for me?”
I did not hesitate. I reached for his hand, and when our palms met, I did not let go. I cannot recall every word, but I prayed aloud:
“Dear Father in Heaven, please shine a light on this man. Please guide his steps and bless him in a meaningful way that will make a positive difference in his life. Amen.”
When I finished, he began to walk away. Then he turned back to me.
“No one has prayed for me in a long time,” he said. “Thank you.”
What he could not have known is that he had just blessed me. His request had been a gift.
I had been given a second chance to do the thing I had turned away from before.