Day 312: The firefighter

I can only assume he was a firefighter. He had one of those firefighter license plates. He was a young guy, stout, with a mustache. For me, he just seemed to fit the profile of a firefighter. I asked to pray for him and he hesitated only a moment before telling me I could. This was at the QuikTrip in Park City. He had been filling up a little pickup truck. I prayed a quick prayer, and then he shook my hand and thanked me.

Day 311: The Camaro

It was sleek and dark blue. The driver was an older guy, very tall, wearing jeans and flip-flops. You could tell he was a laid-back guy. I figured him for a retired businessman, just enjoying life. He stepped over and let me pray for him. "Thanks, man," he said afterward as we shook hands.

After 10 months ...

I've been looking forward to this point since I started this project. First, my goal was to get to one month. And then it was one quarter. And then it was 100 days. And then it was half a year. But all along, I was looking forward just to getting past Day 300. It would all be downhill from there. Just 65 short days left and the project would be over. By Day 300, I figured, I would be so accustomed to this project that it would all be easy. And with the end in sight, the momentum and excitement would just build.

So here I am, 10 days into this "final stretch," and I'm finding it to be not quite what I expected. Actually, it's just the same as it's always been -- kind of a grind. But I am excited. This project has been great, and just thinking that God has carried me through 310 days still is mind-boggling.

I'll also say this, it certainly hasn't seemed like 10 months have gone by. It's been a quick year.

For the record, the final day is August 15.

Day 310: Lead foot

He was driving a little red car -- probably gets good gas mileage -- so the "LEADFT2" license tag seemed a little out of place. He was filling up at QuikTrip and was washing his windows when I pulled up to get gas. This was nearly 11 p.m., after Sophia and I got back from her swim meet in McPherson.

The guy was short and a little round, probably in his 50s. I got his attention and he looked at me, one hand still grasping the squeegie. He had a towel in his other hand. I asked him my question. He looked right in my eyes then, "Why?" His tone was slightly accusatory, probably wondering what I was up to. I still very much remember the stern questioning in his eyes.

So I told him about my project. He listened. Then he went back to wiping his windows with the towel. "Well, that's good," he said. But I don't think he thought it was good -- I think he thought it was annoying. So I just did all I could. I asked him if he had 10 seconds so I could pray for him right there. Nothing doing. "I'm in a hurry," he said.

Well, by this time, I was already done filling up with gas, and I didn't need to watch him wash his windows. So I thanked him and left. He was still there when I pulled out of the parking lot.

Day 309: Praying alone

He was a young guy -- really young when I think back on it. I bet he just got out of high school. He probably wasn't much older than that. I saw him cleaning the windows of his car as I was filling up Mary's van after swim practice. This was at the Valley Center Kwik Shop.

Just before the guy got back into his car, I stopped him to ask him my question. He paused and looked at me with his own questioning look. When I told him I wanted to pray for him, a smile of annoyance crossed his face and he shook his head. "I'm good," he said. "I pray for myself." Then he started to get into his car. I quickly thanked him and said I would say my own prayer for him. He still had that annoyed -- and somewhat condescending -- look on his face. Then he was gone.

That's not the first time I've gotten that kind of response, the one where someone makes clear to me that prayer is a private matter and not something he's going to let just anyone butt in on in his life. I wouldn't want to argue with that. For all he knows, I'm a complete kook. I just pray that the people who have offered that response do have alone time with God, that they do pray for themselves and others and that they respond when God calls them in their faith to butt in a little on others.

Day 308: Randy the greeter

Walmart greeters are easy targets. They're standing there with not much to do except say "hi." So I prayed for a greeter today named Randy. He was a gentleman about 60 years old, looking at me through his big glasses. He was slightly more enthusiastic about his job than some greeters. He made sure everyone got a greeting.

When I asked to pray for him, he didn't hesitate in saying yes. So I prayed for him right there. He shook my hand. "That's a very nice thing to do," he said.

Day 307: The witch

I don't think I'd ever met a Wiccan before. She was working at Papa Murphy's pizza in Newton. She made two family-sized pizzas for us. So I don't think I'd ever eaten a pizza made by a witch before either. (And according to Wikipedia -- and who doesn't trust that? -- Wiccans really do call themselves witches.)

Anyway, after she handed me the pizzas, I asked her my question. She paused, leaned back a little and said, "Why?" There was a bit of suspicion in her face. So I told her about my project, and she hesitated a little more and then said, "Sure." Then she kind of waved me away. But I stood there and told her I wanted to pray for her right then. Her eyes kind of widened a little, and she really didn't know what to say. So I told her it would just take a few seconds, and I prayed for her in Jesus' name.

While I was praying, one of her co-workers came out of the back room and, apparently surprised by this, just stood there and listened. After the "amen," I told him that the prayer applied to him, too. Then I thanked them and headed for the door. "By the way," she said then, "I'm a Wiccan."

Well, that kind of stops you. I thought about that for a second and the only thing that popped into my head -- with some urgency -- was to confess Jesus. Say his name. "Jesus died to save everyone. He can save everyone," I said then.

She started moving back along the counter then, turning her attention somewhat away from me. "Oh well, I guess it's all the same God," she said. Now that's a false statement. Wiccans don't worship Jesus. But I resolved very early in this project that I would be met, likely, with all sorts of responses and beliefs as I sought to spread God's Word. And I resolved never to be confrontational. In our world, hate and bitterness are in plenty, but Christian love and charity often aren't.

So I just shook my head at her comment. I smiled at her. And I wished her a good evening. It felt unsatisfactory. I wanted to argue. But I had professed my faith. I had professed Jesus. And I trust that the Holy Spirit will work on her heart and provide others to do the same.

Day 306: 'Awfully busy'

He was filling a green truck up with gas. He was about 60 years old with a mustache and sunglasses. The sun was right in my face when I asked him my question. I got that feeling you get when someone really doesn't want to talk to you. He kind of grunted when I first got his attention, and then gave me the long pause afterward.

Then he smiled a little and said, "yes." I asked if he had 10 seconds for a quick prayer right then. He answered, smiling more broadly now, "I'm awfully busy." At that, I chided him just a little -- "Not even 10 seconds?" He nodded then and let me pray for him, which I did.

Day 305: Sunglasses

He was standing next to a Honda SUV, filling up with gas. He was leaning very coolly against it, waiting patiently. He was maybe 50 years old, wearing a polo shirt and shorts. I figured him as well-to-do and that maybe he'd been golfing that day.

I asked him my question, and he leaned in to hear it. I couldn't see his eyes through his black sunglasses. There was the long pause. I explained my project. Another pause. And then he said I could pray for him. So I did. He thanked me. I shook his hand and left.

Day 304: Mumbling

He was a bulky guy with a sleeveless shirt and a little beard. He was tough-looking. He also mumbled. When I asked him my question, he mumbled a response. So I asked again, and I'm not sure what he said then.

So I explained my project -- that I like to pray for one person every day -- and he said something like, "Well, I'll give it a try." Now, I'm not opposed to someone praying for me. But I'm pretty sure that's not what he meant. I'm not really sure what he meant. So I just told him I'd pray for him, and I did. It was a short prayer asking for God's blessing.

The guy was looking at me when I lifted my head. Then he just nodded. I'm still not sure what he got out of it. He was just standing there, still filling up his little white car with gas when I drove off.

Day 303: Large milkshake

Sophia had another swim meet tonight -- she did awesome again -- and we stopped by Sonic for ice cream. It was a reward for Sophia for her hard work and for the other three kids for not falling into the pool accidentally (or something like that).

The carhop was nice. After I paid, I asked her my question. I got the normal confused look, and then I explained my project. She was on board with it then. So I prayed for her, that all would go well as she finished out her evening. She thanked me, with a big smile -- "You just made my night!"

Day 302: EZ Go, Oklahoma

That's where I stopped -- an EZ Go convenience store near Muskogee, Okla. I was kind of irritated by then. I'd been on a toll road where every 20 miles or so they asked for a $1.50. So I'd run out of cash. To keep going, I had to get some more. I thought the toll was too high, considering the quality of the highway!

Anyway, I needed gas, too. It's funny how God can change your attitude. I walked over to a guy filling up with gas next to me and asked him my question. He was standing next to a little car with Texas plates. He looked like a businessman. His white dress shirt was wrinkled up in the back where he'd been sitting in his car. He was probably in his 30s.

He looked at me with a little grin and thought it over, and finally said that yes, I could pray for him. So I said a quick prayer of blessing on him during his travels. He thanked me, and I walked into the convenience store looking for a bathroom -- and an ATM machine. I wasn't mad any more.

Day 301: Little Rock

I found myself in Little Rock, Arkansas, standing outside the Holiday Inn Presidential. They still were basking in the glow of President Clinton. Pictures of presidents lined one hallway. The hotel restaurant was called "Camp David," and I ordered a Clinton Club for dinner.

 

Outside the hotel, where I'd gone to lock up my car, I saw the hotel's shuttle van dropping off a group of pilots and flight attendants from the airport. I stopped the driver, after he'd gotten back into the van, and he rolled down his window. He had been counting his tip money, so he was smiling when he spoke to me.

 

I asked him my question and he barely hesitated, "Absolutely." But he said he was in too much of a hurry to be prayed for then, so I told him that I would pray for him later.

Day 300: The lineman

He looked like a regular guy, maybe 45 years old, waiting for his car to fill up with gas. He was driving a Saab. He had a goatee and was wearing a Boise State t-shirt. I asked if I could ask him a question. He stepped right over to me, maybe thinking I was having trouble with the key pad on my side of the gas pump. 

But I asked whether I could pray for him. He said yes almost immediately. He was a friendly guy. "I think people should pray for each other as often as they can," he said. "Do your thing brother." So I prayed for him and his safety, asking God to bless him. And he prayed the same for me.

We talked for a few moments then about what we were up to that night. He said he had just watched a movie with his wife -- "X-Men" -- and they were on their way home. (She was in the passenger's seat.)  

He asked me then what I did for a living and where I worked. I asked him the same thing. He was a lineman for Westar Energy. It was a good job, he said, one that he'd had for 33 years. I must have given him a look then. "I'm older than I look," he said. So I was forced to ratchet up his estimated age by at least five years.

Anyway, it was a good talk -- especially for Day 300. And then he and his wife drove off. 

Day 299: Enchilada

We had a date night and were eating at On The Border on the west side of Wichita. It wasn't very busy, and the service was really quick. We had our food within about five minutes of being there. And, without kids, we were done within about 20 minutes of walking in the door.

The waiter was a young guy who didn't really have enough to do. He wandered by us several times just checking to make sure we had everything we needed. After I'd paid our check, I asked him my question. He said I could pray for him, so I did.

He thanked me then and then stopped to chat with us for a little bit. He said he'd only been working there since March. He's from Topeka, where he found himself getting into trouble. This was a good change for him to be in Wichita.

The fact of the matter was that he opened up to us. It was like once he knew we were Christians, it was safe to talk about stuff. He didn't give us a whole lot of information, but he did assure us that his life was much improved from where it had been. Hopefully, it will get even better.

Day 298: Taekwondo, a twister, and 10 years

He was a short, skinny guy standing next to a small pickup truck. I asked if I could pray for him. He was probably in his 40s. A kid was sitting in the passenger's seat. The guy hesitated, and then, boldly, "Sure!" So he let me pray for him, and I did, asking for God to protect him.

"Which way you going?" he said suddenly. That took a bit by surprise. I wasn't sure how to answer. North or south? Heaven or hell? I finally told him north. "Well, I'll pray for you that you'll be safe in the storm that will be coming in that way."

The guy told me he and his son were headed to Newton for a Taekwondo competition. He pointed to a sticker on the back side of his truck that said "Ultimate Martial Arts: Team Singleton." He told me he was the coach for his boys, although the older son had given it up. Still, he smiled when I said it was a good father-and-son thing.

I was thankful later for the prayer that I assume he prayed for us. A funnel cloud -- or something like it -- swirled just west of our town for a half-hour tonight. It certainly got our attention and got us to the basement. But we missed the worst of the storm -- just some small hail, a lot of rain and wind.

And by the way, today was our 10-year wedding anniversary. Not exactly the ideal way to spend it as we packed everybody into the basement. But we got to see our kids smile, and I got to see Mary smile. It was a good day. And it's been a great decade.

Day 297: Longhorns

He was sitting on a bench in Old Town, a big young guy with a Texas Longhorns hat on his head. He looked up at me when I stopped to ask him my question. He had a look of humor and skepticism. He wasn't on board with the idea.

At first, he let out a reluctant, "whatever you want." And then he said, "Do I have to take part?" Well, I explained, he didn't have to if he didn't want to. I just wanted to pray for him. He gave me another really reluctant, "whatever you want." At that point, I told him I would pray for him as I walked away, because I didn't want to make him uncomfortable. "I'll just pray for the guy in the Longhorns hat," I said. And I did.

Day 296: Turnpike II

She was the second Turnpike worker I've prayed for. We'd been down to Winfield for Sophia's first swim meet (she did awesome, by the way), and it was getting close to 11 p.m. as we pulled into the South Wichita interchange. Mary was with me, and two girls -- Sophia and Isabella -- were asleep in the back.

A short woman was in the booth. I gave her a dollar for the toll and then asked her my question. She looked surprised, like most people do, and then she looked down behind me to make sure there was no one waiting. It was all clear. There was time. So I said a quick prayer for her, asking God to keep her safe. She thanked me, and then we were back on our way.

Day 295: Monster

He was wearing a shirt with the logo of Monster Energy Drink on the front. The way it was designed made it look like a race jersey of some kind, like for motorcycles or bikes. But the guy wearing it didn't look like a racer. He was average height and a little heavy-set. He was wearing a ball cap.

I saw him as he was walking in Old Town, going north on Mead Street, and I stopped to ask him my question. He immediately said yes. "Absolutely," he said, "that's great." No hesitation at all. And he had a real engaging way about him. So I prayed for him, and he thanked me.

Day 294: Silver Mustang

It was a really nice car. Clean and sleek. The guy driving it was probably in his 20s -- a skinny guy wearing baggy shorts, a t-shirt, a flat-brimmed ball cap and sunglasses. He'd been into the QuikShop and came out with a box of doughnuts and a drink. This was in the evening. For some reason, he didn't fit the car.

When I asked to pray for him, he just squinted at me into the sun, but he didn't say anything. I finally told him about my project. There was another long pause. Hesitatingly, he said "yes." I prayed a prayer of protection and blessing for him. He thanked me. I told him I liked his car.

Day 293: No and yes

She didn't want anything to do with me. Her face said it all. She was a heavy-set, 40-year-old-or-so woman driving a little SUV, painted bright yellow. She looked at me through her glasses, her facing kind of scrunching up when I asked my question. Then, simply, "No thank you." She turned her back, got in her car and left.

I was at QuikTrip, still filling up with gas. That's when I got sidetracked with a text message from my brother showing a picture of a mountain lake he'd hiked to that day. (He lives in Colorado and was just rubbing it in.) So while I was offering up a response, another little SUV drove up to the gas pump next to mine.

There was a passenger in the front seat, appearing to be asleep. And a woman got out of the driver's seat and began filling up with gas. She was probably in her 50s. I just took it as an extra opportunity and asked her my question as well. She barely hesitated, "Sure." So I prayed for her, particularly for her safety. Then she told me she was headed for Salina that night. She thanked me for the prayer.

Day 292: Pool guy

He was leaning against a yellow van -- with "Thurman Pools" written across the back of it -- filling up with gas. The guy was probably in his 20s, skinny with a beard and shaved head. He looked at me curiously when I asked my question. It was one of those looks like you give someone who has a very strange idea.

I just told him about my project and reiterated that I wanted to pray for him. Finally, "Go ahead," he said. So I prayed for him. He thought it was kind of funny, and probably a little ridiculous. That's OK. He thanked me as I left.

Day 291: No time

He was standing next to a red Grand Am, filling it with gas. I was standing on the other side of the pump, filling my Honda Civic. I looked over to him and caught his attention. His shirt said "Triumph," which I took to signify one of the aerospace companies in town. The guy, himself, was probably in his 50s.

I asked him my question. "You can if you want to," he responded. I noticed his teeth for some reason. They weren't straight. Mine aren't either. Then I asked if he had 10 seconds for a prayer right then. He kind of waved me off. "No. No. I don't really have time right now." OK, I told him. But he stuck out his hand then, thanking me anyway, and I shook it.

Then I went back to filling up my car with gas. And he did, too. We stood there for a few moments in silence, and then he walked into the convenience store. When I left, I noticed a small cross hung from his rear-view mirror. I was thankful for that.

Day 290: 'If you want'

It was a lackadaisical answer. "If you want," he said. It also came after much silent pondering, while I stood there waiting. Of course, what would you expect at the kind of question I was asking?

The guy I'd found was in his 50s with a mustache and glasses and driving a white Ford Ranger with a topper. He really did pause in answering me. A slight smile crept across his face. And then, finally, "If you want." I did want to, so I prayed for him.

He thanked me after I finished.