Her job was to stand in the airport, waiting for passengers coming in and out of the airline gates. She was to be on call if any of them needed help getting to their connections. She was leaning against one of those wheelchairs that they use to push folks down the terminal corridors.
She looked bored, so I stepped over to her and asked her my question. It was kind of loud in the airport, so I had to ask it again so she could hear me. But she said I could pray for her. She kind of mumbled it out, not sure what to say. But when I asked whether I could could pray for her right there on the spot, she agreed. So I did.
Afterward, she thanked me and shook my hand. Her grip was very weak. But she was smiling, still a little puzzled over what had just happened.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Day 356: Laughter
The clerk didn't look at us as we loaded our stuff onto the conveyor belt. Mary and the four kids were there, scurrying around taking care of things and chattering away. I stood poised with my debit card. This was at the Walmart in Newton. The clerk's name tag said "Angelica." She didn't look like she was having fun. She didn't talk to us. She didn't smile.
But that was about to change.
"I've got a question for you," I told her, and she glanced up. "Can I pray for you?" This stopped her momentarily, and she leaned in -- "What?" So I asked her again: "Can I pray for you?" She paused for a moment longer and then burst out laughing. It was the kind of laughter you get from someone who's a little uncomfortable. Maybe it was her defense mechanism.
She asked me why I would want to pray for her. I told her I like to pray for someone everyday. She recited my answer back to me, still laughing. She told me I could pray for her, and then she said she never had anyone say something like that to her. She said she didn't know how to respond. "Just know that God loves you," I said. She told me that she knew that. "And that someone is thinking about you," I added. Again, she repeated my words back to me.
This whole encounter lasted about a minute, but the defining feature was her laughter. She just seemed to think it was funny -- or maybe she just didn't know what to think. Even as we were walking off, receipt in hand, we could still hear her cackling behind us. Maybe she'll tell the whole store about it.
By the way, it was hard to squeeze a prayer into all that commotion, so I told her I would pray for her when I got home, which I did.
But that was about to change.
"I've got a question for you," I told her, and she glanced up. "Can I pray for you?" This stopped her momentarily, and she leaned in -- "What?" So I asked her again: "Can I pray for you?" She paused for a moment longer and then burst out laughing. It was the kind of laughter you get from someone who's a little uncomfortable. Maybe it was her defense mechanism.
She asked me why I would want to pray for her. I told her I like to pray for someone everyday. She recited my answer back to me, still laughing. She told me I could pray for her, and then she said she never had anyone say something like that to her. She said she didn't know how to respond. "Just know that God loves you," I said. She told me that she knew that. "And that someone is thinking about you," I added. Again, she repeated my words back to me.
This whole encounter lasted about a minute, but the defining feature was her laughter. She just seemed to think it was funny -- or maybe she just didn't know what to think. Even as we were walking off, receipt in hand, we could still hear her cackling behind us. Maybe she'll tell the whole store about it.
By the way, it was hard to squeeze a prayer into all that commotion, so I told her I would pray for her when I got home, which I did.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Day 355: Nebraska
He had Nebraska plates on his SUV, and a Nebraska t-shirt on. He was a tall, young guy -- no more than 30 years old -- carrying a drink and some snacks out of QuikTrip. I figured he was heading home. So I asked if I could pray for him. He looked at me like I was from Mars, shrugged his shoulders and said "Sure." Then he looked at me again like I was from Mars and turned and got into his vehicle and drove away.
I prayed for him later. It's a long drive back to Nebraska, and I was the last person he talked to. Maybe for the next few hours he would think about God and his relationship to Him.
I prayed for him later. It's a long drive back to Nebraska, and I was the last person he talked to. Maybe for the next few hours he would think about God and his relationship to Him.
Day 354: Never retire
I met Bill Kemp today. One of the most interesting things about him was the way he just stuck out his hand after I'd prayed for him and said, "I'm Bill Kemp." He hadn't objected at all to the prayer in the first place and, afterward, told me how he attended Word of Life Church.
"I can use all the prayers I can get," he said. One of the reasons for that, he told me, was because he's a grandfather. That got us talking a little bit. He has four grandchildren, and he cares for them very much. I asked Bill if he was retired so that he could spend time with them, but he told me he wasn't. He's an agent for State Farm Insurance. Earlier in his career, he was a teacher. "Tired, maybe, but not retired," he said. "There's nothing in the Bible that says anything about retiring." But in reality, I could see that Bill wasn't tired. He had plenty of energy.
"I can use all the prayers I can get," he said. One of the reasons for that, he told me, was because he's a grandfather. That got us talking a little bit. He has four grandchildren, and he cares for them very much. I asked Bill if he was retired so that he could spend time with them, but he told me he wasn't. He's an agent for State Farm Insurance. Earlier in his career, he was a teacher. "Tired, maybe, but not retired," he said. "There's nothing in the Bible that says anything about retiring." But in reality, I could see that Bill wasn't tired. He had plenty of energy.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Day 353: On my own time
He was driving a white construction truck. He was a blue-collar worker, talking on his cell phone and moving quickly round his truck. He cleaned out the inside, and then walked quickly inside to pay for his gas. He barely paused to look at me. He was probably 45 years old with longer hair and a very tan face.
He thought about my question and then said, "You may." I thought that was a very formal response. And then he said, "But do it on your own time." Then he went back to cleaning out his cab. I just thanked him and prayed for him as I drove home.
I wonder if that guy will think about it later. I wonder what his reaction will be when he realizes that there is some stranger out there who is thinking about him and taking him before God in prayer. To a lot of people, that would be a very comforting thought. Sadly, others might find it uncomfortable -- weird even.
He thought about my question and then said, "You may." I thought that was a very formal response. And then he said, "But do it on your own time." Then he went back to cleaning out his cab. I just thanked him and prayed for him as I drove home.
I wonder if that guy will think about it later. I wonder what his reaction will be when he realizes that there is some stranger out there who is thinking about him and taking him before God in prayer. To a lot of people, that would be a very comforting thought. Sadly, others might find it uncomfortable -- weird even.
Day 352: Vietnam vet
He was a short round guy. I bet he was about 70. He was wearing a hat that said something like, "I survived Vietnam." He moved very slowly as he filled up his car with gas. I asked him my question, and he turned slowly toward me with a weathered face and expressionless eyes. He kind of grunted out a "yes." But then he said something like, "not right now." And he began the slow journey around to the driver's side of his car, leaving me standing there.
I prayed for him on my way home.
I prayed for him on my way home.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Day 351: Evangelism
He was a stout guy with dark hair, probably in his 40s. I asked to pray for him, and he immediately said yes. No hesitation at all. So I prayed for him. Then we started chatting. He asked me how long I'd been doing my project and what kind of response people give. I estimated about seven in 10 people say yes, which I've found surprising. He wasn't surprised by that.
Turns out, he's a Christian who attends Grace Community Church in Newton. He does prison ministry. And he's involved in a program at his church, called Judgment House, where seekers can come and hear about the real question that all of us must answer during our lives. I could tell this was a guy -- his name was Brad -- who was on a similar journey to mine. We're convinced evangelism is an important part of our Christian walk.
Turns out, he's a Christian who attends Grace Community Church in Newton. He does prison ministry. And he's involved in a program at his church, called Judgment House, where seekers can come and hear about the real question that all of us must answer during our lives. I could tell this was a guy -- his name was Brad -- who was on a similar journey to mine. We're convinced evangelism is an important part of our Christian walk.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)