Praying for Powerline

Last Monday was a day off for our team. On our days off, we either just chill, take it easy, or go somewhere outside of Prato to do something fun. Last Monday the team decided to go to the beach. We had been doing a lot of traveling on our days off and I felt like this time I really did need to take a personal day. I needed some time to myself and some alone time with God to pray and meditate. I also thought it would be good for me to be in town and soak in Prato-to pay more attention to the little details of the city and to its people.

When the rest of the team was leaving for the beach, I had them drop me off in the centro so I could start my day there. I first went to the church for singing and prayer. It was a place that I could be alone and just sing out. It was a good start to the day. Then I went to one of our little coffee bars for a panino and reading time. I got to read through some psalms and journal. I noticed the barista behind the counter, the other customers at their tables, the business men at the cassa ready to pay for their coffee and pastry. Every one of these persons has a life and a soul. I was glad to be around them and see them for the significance they really have, and not just a body. So many times its easy for me to see past people, instead of seeing them for how the Lord created them, each beautiful and loved greatly.

After my panino and reading time, I did a lot of walking. I walked throughout the streets, past the castle, past the duomo, past a bunch of places that I recognized and some that I didn't. I'm pretty sure I went in circles a couple times. I looked around at the buildings and watched the people that I passed (it was lunch hours so there weren't too many people walking the streets), taking note of individuals so that I could say a prayer for them. They're strangers, but they're important to me. I noticed a lady and her little girl, an old man standing by the river, a group of older men in the park, a man riding his bike, and others. The man riding his bike through the narrow streets, very easily caught my attention though.

He was riding a street/racing bike and dressed in the appropriate bike gear, very bright colors. He had on sporty shades and his hair was slicked back on the sides. He had a smirk on his face that seemed to be there naturally, like it would be there at any point of the day, even if he wasn't thinking of anything that made him happy. His eyebrows looked raised and slightly pointed. He was thin and very tan with black hair. He looked, to me, the human version of Powerline-pop star of A Goofy Movie. One look at him and I laughed to myself and said, "Powerline". So I said my prayer for him