LEO

I was leaning against the brick wall by my old apartment's parking lot, talking to God, smoking a cigarette, and waiting for a friend to show up. A guy walked by and gave me the standard head nod. Leo looked just like his brother Melvin who just had neck surgery so I asked him how his neck was. He introduced himself and I apologized for the mistake. He said it was okay and that he was glad I had spoken to him because he needed someone to talk to and was just asking God to send someone. He asked me for a smoke and I gave him one. I asked him what was going on and he offered me his story. Leo had been in prison over a dozen times and had been through some pretty rough stuff. Now he was out and trying to keep his life straight, but he was struggling with his thoughts. He had many fears, worries, and a lot of anger. We talked and prayed together for twenty minutes or so. I could see his eyes beginning to shine a little more and I was electric that day. I'll never see Leo again, but he's in my prayers now. When my friend showed up half an hour late, he apologized, and I just laughed. Funny how that happened. That's The Kingdom of God for you.