I have been sharing God's word with an Italian man who killed a police officer more than 20 years ago...
I will not mention his name, nor will I even invent a pseudonym.
This inmate is known throughout the prison system for his propensity for violence, mostly intense punch and drag out fight with other prisoners. Yet, the Lord seems to have arranged it so that this man is often sitting next to me during the mealtimes.
Today, he told me that lately he has begun to read his Bible. He expressed great interest in the life of Job. And because of the crime he committed, he realizes that, more than likely, he will never be released. Over the years the two people who were close to him, his mother and grandfather, both died. Other than a male cousin, he has no one else.
As he and I were eating across from each other this afternoon, he unexpectedly and suddenly blurted out that he was sorry for taking the life of that policeman. I was stunned. If anyone knows this man, one would know it was nothing short of a miracle for him to utter such words. For he has been an angry and defiant man for more than two decades, and he has often exhibited high levels of rage against the system. I have heard some of his threats and seen some of his fights.
Today, however, when he said this, I looked at his face and I noticed that his eyes were wet, as if he was almost ready to cry. True, it was only a tiny fraction of remorse, but I saw it. And I know that God is behind the scenes working on this man's heart. Something is changing inside him. He doesn't realize it yet, but I do.
D.B.
This inmate is known throughout the prison system for his propensity for violence, mostly intense punch and drag out fight with other prisoners. Yet, the Lord seems to have arranged it so that this man is often sitting next to me during the mealtimes.
Today, he told me that lately he has begun to read his Bible. He expressed great interest in the life of Job. And because of the crime he committed, he realizes that, more than likely, he will never be released. Over the years the two people who were close to him, his mother and grandfather, both died. Other than a male cousin, he has no one else.
As he and I were eating across from each other this afternoon, he unexpectedly and suddenly blurted out that he was sorry for taking the life of that policeman. I was stunned. If anyone knows this man, one would know it was nothing short of a miracle for him to utter such words. For he has been an angry and defiant man for more than two decades, and he has often exhibited high levels of rage against the system. I have heard some of his threats and seen some of his fights.
Today, however, when he said this, I looked at his face and I noticed that his eyes were wet, as if he was almost ready to cry. True, it was only a tiny fraction of remorse, but I saw it. And I know that God is behind the scenes working on this man's heart. Something is changing inside him. He doesn't realize it yet, but I do.
D.B.
