“Can I Pray For You?”
By Marcy Stenstrom
It was the last day in May and it was my daughter’s 5th birthday. On the way to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for her birthday celebration, we decided to stop in Marshfield to visit the animal park, have a picnic lunch and play at the playground. After strolling through the animal park, we found a picnic table in the shade near the playground. My husband went back to the car to get our lunch cooler. The girls were wiping down the table and cleaning their hands with sanitizer. I was getting things to change the baby while he laid in the car seat in his stroller. From the corner of my eye, I saw a stout lady coming our way. She was dressed oddly and with a patriotic theme. She wore a red, white and blue striped cap with a baggy flamboyant t-shirt tucked into her Capri pants. I thought she saw the baby stroller and wanted to peek at our beautiful chubby newborn. However, when she came up to me, she didn’t ask about Will, she mumbled something to me which at first I couldn’t quite understand. I may have been distracted by the peeling skin around her neck or the thick blonde mustache above her lip.
“I beg your pardon?” I said, trying to be polite. Her question was clearer the second time, “Can I pray for you?” she asked. I said “Sure” and she held out her hand for me to hold. We bowed our heads and she prayed for me. Though her words were mumbled I could make out “Jesus” and “Lord” and “pray for this mother.” When she was finished I thanked her and then she asked me the age of my baby. Then she turned and continued walking through the park, her backpack now visible with the picture and word “Transformers”.
My five year old, Ada, thought it was cute that the lady asked if she could pray for us. Then she asked what kind of backpack the lady had. After I explained the character on the backpack, we giggled and Ada pointed out that it was probably more appropriate for children. But I advised that perhaps this lady liked the Transformers and the backpack fit the job of carrying the things that she needed. After all, I would not consider it unusual for me to have a “Strawberry Shortcake” or “Wonder Woman” item on me. I grew up with those icons and I’m not ashamed to admit that I still like them.
After this encounter, I realized that through life we see and meet many different people. Some have it all together and wear the “right” clothing and have the “right” look. Some are not so inviting and we are repulsed by what they are wearing or what they look like. We are not drawn to them but feel compelled to move away. When I feel like moving away, usually I feel pity for them and I pray for them. But what I learned from this experience was that this woman didn’t need my prayers. Instead, she prayed for me. What kind of look did I have that called her to me? I was a mother of three young children. Perhaps she knew that my days are filled with constant care of others and the stresses of discipline and teaching. Perhaps she knew that it was me who needed the prayer more than she did.
This was not my only encounter with people who are considered to be different in our culture. But I truly remember each one I’ve talked to in all my travels. Even though they all did not wear a backpack with a message, they have in some way made me think more about my actions and how I view others. They are more than meets the eye. They are “Transformers”.