Day 204: A map

I was walking through Old Town and could see a guy standing at one of the large maps they have there, studying it closely. Actually, I couldn't see much of him. The map was between me and him, and all I could see were his feet. So I wondered what I would find when I came past him. Would I know him? Would he be 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds? Would he be one of the homeless guys who walks around Old Town?

He was none of those. I didn't know him. And he was about 5-foot-6, 35 years old and dressed like he'd been at work at a white-collar job. He wore a long black jacket and a beard that was sprinkled with gray. I asked him my question and he looked right at me. This wasn't anything he wanted any part of. He mumbled a "no" and then went back to studying the map. He didn't turn around again.

I just thanked him and kept walking, praying for him as I went. I probably should have offered him directions.

Day 203: Low-rider

He was a young guy, walking out to his truck from the convenience store, listening to his cell phone. I was done filling up my car, and so I waited until he reached his truck -- a black low-ride pickup -- so I could ask him my question. He had a beard, and was probably 25 years old.

As always, the question caught him by surprise. And he stammered out an, "I guess so." So I ducked and prayed for him, that God's blessing would follow him that night. He smiled and thanked me afterward. It was clear, though, that he still didn't know what to think of that prayer.

But as I drove home, I couldn't help but wonder, as I often do, about how God would use those words, along with other words that man may hear along the way. Maybe he'll end up a preacher. Maybe he'll be the next Billy Graham. It's a good thought to ponder. Only God knows the answer.

Day 202: Budweiser

He was a short guy driving a big truck. Eye-level for me was the Budweiser logo on his cap. I don't know if he worked for that company or was just a fan or just got a free hat. But he looked at me for a long time, saying nothing, after I asked him my question.

Eventually, I had to break the silence. "I just try to pray for one person every day," I said. "So I'd like to pray for you." He had smile, but it wasn't a warm one. "You can pray for me as much as you want," he said. And then he started to turn back toward his truck, which he was filling up with gas.

My next question stopped him. "Right now?" This brought another long pause. This guy just didn't know what to make of me. I do know he wanted me to go away. So after the silence continued for another moment, I was merciful. "You can say no," I said. He gladly accepted this, saying he didn't want a prayer. "I'm just fine. Really."

And so I thanked him and left. As I was driving out of the QuikTrip lot (I didn't need gas), I spontaneously felt the need to pray that God would wake him up.

Day 201: Propane

We had friends over for dinner tonight. We were excited about this. Earlier in the week, we were hoping for good weather -- at least good enough to grill. We want to usher in spring, by force if necessary. So we grilled. And it was windy. And cold. And five minutes after starting the grill, I went outside to find it still was cold. My propane tank was empty. Obviously, things weren't going as planned.

But we didn't let this bother us, and I hopped in the car and drove to Atwoods to replace my empty tank. A young woman unlocked the cage where propane tanks were kept. She looked tired, and a bit frazzled. I asked her about her day. Something with the inventory that day hadn't gone right. She handed me my new tank. I asked her my question.

There was the usual confused pause. She said that would be OK. But she was hesitant about it. She also said it would be OK to pray for her right then -- again very hesitantly. So I prayed. I prayed that God would bring calm into her life. She smiled afterward. "Thank you so much. I needed that," she said.

I was smiling when I went home. I got the grill going, and we had a good evening with our friends. It was hard to grill in the dark, though.

Day 200: A good word

I was walking down the street in Old Town. It was a beautiful evening. No need even for a jacket. The guy I found was leaning against a utility box, smoking a cigarette. He was 50-ish and friendly. I figured him for a maintenance guy at the hotel there.

"Well, sure!" he said when I asked my question. No hesitation. Go right ahead. So I prayed for him. He thanked me afterward. "I could use a good word," he said. I agreed that we all could.

165 more days to go!

Day 199: A white Toyota

That's what he was standing next to when I pulled into the gas station looking for someone to pray for. I stopped and stepped around the gas pump. He was a soft-spoken guy, and he said it would be nice if I prayed for him. "Right now?" I asked. He paused. "Whatever you like," he said.
So I prayed for him, and he thanked me.

Day 198: A clear head

She was standing in that little walkway between the Hotel at Old Town and the parking garage, smoking a cigarette and going through her purse. At first I walked right by. It was starting to get dark, and I didn't want to scare her. It would have been different if it was a guy. Guys all could use a little scaring.

But then something made me turn around. So I did, and I walked back to where she was. When I got her attention, she walked right up to me. She was about 45 years old, dressed for business. She paused when I asked her my question. And then she said "Sure."

"I was just waiting for someone," she said, "and I was just out here ... " She trailed off a little. What she was trying to say was she was trying to clear her head. And so she said again that I could pray for her. So I did. She thanked me then and walked away.