There have been many incredible stories in my life where I ask is that “Odd? or God?” This one was no exception.
As many of you read a few posts back, my prayer box was recently vandalized and destroyed. It was incredibly disheartening to me when I first discovered the remains. But after receiving help from various strangers MERE SECONDS later to gather the scattered prayers, I was invigorated to not only restore the prayer box better than before, but also to involve as much of the community as possible in this project.
I started by tweeting and blogging about my plans, and I have been further inspired by the response. The Prayer Box has touched so many people and many of you came forward to offer your services to help restore it. Thank you! Although I received great offers to take on this project, I knew there was a specific someone who was meant to take this assignment. So I waited.
One night I was watching Cupcake Wars because, well, cupcakes are dope. As I sat there getting kinda jealous over how a mere cupcake could look more delicious than even me in my best dress, onto the screen loomed a huge, Jolly Green Giant of a man. No, seriously, this guy was ginormous, and he introduced himself as the carpenter to construct the stands for each baker’s cupcakes. After listening to the bakers’ wishes, the jumbo-sized guy stylishly designed and created exactly what they wanted. As I watched, I couldn’t put my finger on it but what I saw so big and magnetic about this man had nothing to do with his size. Either way, I knew one thing: This man is the person meant to help me create a new prayer box. When the show ended, I studied the credits for his name. Ugh, nothing came up! I was devastated. The next day I got to work with my assistant, making our top priority to find the name of this man. For hours I reached out to Food Network, scoured the internet, and reached out to industry contacts. Nothing. That night I went to bed bummed. Have you ever had that feeling where all odds are against you, but you just know that the opportunity was given to you for a reason to own it? It’s the same feeling I had in 2006 when I decided to become a television host, the same feeling of discomfort when I have an urge to encourage a stranger who needed it, and the same feeling that lead me to build the box when I was told it wouldn’t work. So I did what I did then that got me to where I am now. I prayed for courage. “God, hook me up with this man if he’s meant to be the builder of this box.”
The very next morning I went at it again to search for this man’s name. I IMDB‘d every episode and looked up every name of carpenters and set designers on the show. From there I eliminated female names, then like true stalker style, I facebook searched every male name. 2 hours later, as I was nearing the end of my list, I type in James W. Thompson, and booyah, up pops that familar gentle giant face. Um. Add me.
Immediately, I thought to friend him, but then I took a moment. That could come off as obtrusive and weird. So instead I sent him a facebook message titled, “Stalker? Sorta.”
Guys, I wrote James an essay. Told him about the Prayer Box, how I saw him on TV, and how I thought he might be the perfect person to help rebuild the box. Not more than a couple hours later I got a short message back saying he would love to help. Oh, and this photo:
Yes, this is a picture of his adorbs poodle, Rocko, STANDING NEXT TO THE BOX!
(If you got goosebumps from that, you jumped the gun. We’re not even at the best part.)
So we met, and guys, he was even bigger than I imagined. And I’m not talking about that size..but that magnetic presence I saw onscreen? After listening to James speak, I realized what it was. It was his heart.
Over our sweet potato fries, James shared his story. He is a frequent hiker to Runyon Canyon and a huge fan of the box when he discovered it with his pooch Rocko. He loved its inspirational message to pray it forward and the hope it brings others. On the same night I was watching his episode on Cupcake Wars, he was listening to a pastor on the radio that was discussing faith. When James shut off the radio, he said a little prayer himself and did what many of us should try. He prayed and asked, “God, if you’re real please introduce me to the creator of the Prayer Box.”
Less than 24 hours later he receives a facebook message entitled “Stalker? Sorta.”
Odd, or God? 
So James has designed a new prayer box, and the idea looks great. We’re now passing those plans to a carpenter who will construct the box. Then it will go to an artist who will decorate the box. The energy behind this project is amazing. Friends, we’re just a few days away from bringing the box to Runyon Canyon.
The process has already begun and I’m starting my next blog about our wonderful carpenter friends already to keep you looped. Pray it forward friends…the box is back.
And here is the mascot, our Prayer Box Poodle Rocko.
