“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Hebrews 13:2, NKJV
Two friends visited me this summer from Texas and one of them is traveling another road no one wishes to experience. For privacy, I am calling her “Sue.” Our paths crossed in person through our other mutual friend eleven years ago right after my husband died from a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease. Sue loved on me and showered me with prayer throughout our time together. She ministered to my broken heart, and I will always love her for her much-needed compassion.
Today, Sue is navigating through the shrouded and often unrecognizable world she lives in called dementia. The same mysterious look I saw in the eyes of my husband when confusion in his surroundings frightened him, I now see in my precious friends’ eyes. However, to focus on only the obvious devastating effects of dementia would be to miss how God uses the darkness of this world to shine His light.
As I mentioned earlier in this writing, Sue is and always has been a prayer warrior. Nothing, not even dementia can rob her of what God intends to use for His glory. While waiting for a connecting flight on their way to visit me, Sue spotted a middle-aged man in overalls sitting by himself. Uninhibited, she walked over to the man and asked, “Can I pray for you?”
Surprised, he looked up and after a brief hesitation, replied, “Sure. I guess.”
Sue began praying for this stranger, for his family, and for any need he may have. She ended her prayer in the name of Jesus.
After Sue walked away, the stranger, with emotion, asked our mutual friend and companion on the trip, “Why did she pick me of everyone here?”
“Sue listens to God as He leads her and today, it looks like He led her to you,” our friend said.
Walking up to strangers and asking to pray for them is not a strength I possess; actually, I am ashamed to admit this makes me uncomfortable, although not to receive prayer, only to pray for others in a public setting. Sue shared that only once she had the sad experience of being turned down by someone for whom she wanted to pray. The rest of her benefactors always thank her and are noticeably touched, like the gentleman in the airport.
When I look back over my life, I am convinced sometimes to have experienced “angels unwittingly” through interactions with complete strangers. If you are ever approached by someone asking to pray for you, remember Sue. You never know…he or she just may be an angel in disguise.
