Parking Lot Prayer

Yesterday, as I loaded my groceries into the trunk of my car, two young black girls approached my car. They held armfuls of books and wide smiles. As they questioned me a bit about my faith, I glanced over at Jed, still in the basket, and felt Zoe's sleepy head lean against my back. I thought for a moment of cutting them off mid-schpiel, but as they talked to me about their college they attended in Alabama, and about the faith-based books they were offering "for a donation" I could see what nice girls they were, how sincerely they believed their message could help others, and I just couldn't cut them off.

See, I remember being a nice girl wearing a dress and a tag, approaching people in a Walmart parking lot just a few years ago. I believed my message could help people with all my heart. I smiled because I loved the people I approached and wanted to help them. I rejoiced when they listened.

So I listened. I don't share many of their beliefs and I told them that, but I did tell them how much I appreciated what they were doing, and their sincerity. I told them since our family is working on getting out of debt, I couldn't donate to their school. They understood. But I did say that I'd been there, long ago in a hot, distant place, and I hope they'd do some good that day. They offered to pray with me. I figured what the heck, more prayers can't hurt. So we held hands right there in the parking lot and that beautiful girl offered up a beautiful prayer on behalf of my family.

I hope my little boy remembers that someday. Three people of different faiths, different races, different stages of life and backgrounds holding hands, praying in a parking lot.

One thing I've come to love about Indiana is that people are unafraid of religion here. It seems like out West religion has become so taboo that you can't even bring it up in polite society. Here there are church barbecues in the hardware store parking lot and scriptures on the bank sign. My doctor has crosses above all doors in his office. We have a Jewish synagogue down the road, a new Muslim mosque just completed a little further north, and Ganesh recently installed at the little Hindu temple.
Our community consists predominantly of mainstream Christian sects, and our own little Latter-day Saint congregation is far in the minority. I know most people around here would disagree with my beliefs, but I appreciate being in a place where I feel I can openly declare them. And I appreciate that others wish to share their faith with me.

Even in the parking lot.