In the first story from our companion book this week, we learn that there is no doubt that Barbara Jean believes in angels and depends on them coming through. We also learned that one of her angels had the same name, and while Barbara Jean number two may be more skeptical about angels, the kindness she showed to a stranger brightened her day.
The stranger was a middle-aged woman with a bandaged arm who waved at her as she was leaving the hospital, “as if she were a New York City taxi cab driver. “Can you give me a ride home?” the woman asked.
Barbara Jean (number one) explained that her grandson brought her in after she hurt her arm. But the wait was too long for him to stay with her. So prayed for help. And soon, Barbara Jean number two stopped by.
The stranger also had a prescription she needed to drop off at the pharmacy. “Well, it just so happens I was heading there when I left the hospital,” Barbara Jean replied, a bit shocked.
To make sure she didn’t miss the lesson, on her way home, Barbara Jean drove by a church known for posting insightful quotes on their sign. “TODAY, YOU COULD BE SOMEONE’S ANGEL,” the quote of the day proclaimed. “Amen,” responded Barbara Jean, “Amen!”
The word “Angel” appears throughout scripture in numerous circumstances. Sometimes they are messengers, other times guides, and often, angels become superheroes, doing God’s bidding the way Barbara Jean did that day.
Angels are messengers as Luke begins his story of the birth of Jesus. First, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, finds out from an angel that his wife, Elizabeth, will give birth despite her advanced age. Mary is told that she will give birth, despite being young and single, to God’s Son. After Jesus is born, shepherds find out about His birth from angels.
In scripture, there is often a close connection between hospitality and angels. This is not surprising given the high premium God puts on hospitality. Being kind to strangers is a mandate in God’s kingdom. On the other hand, treating strangers with cruelty, regardless of the justification, offends God.
In other stores from our companion book, Maggie saw a bright light as she prayed next to her dying son. She saw a glimpse of heaven, she believed, as God showed her four angels coming to escort her son into heaven.
Phyllis was kept from getting on I-75 after praying God would protect her while driving in dense fog. She later realized that it must have been an angel who told her the interstate was closed, since the highway patrol confirmed that it was never closed that morning.
On the other hand, Candace wasn’t sure she believed God existed, as she cried out, “God, if you are really there, I need your help. What am I going to do with my life now?” It had been a month since she left her job and had been unable to find another one. If God really existed, why was life so hard for her family?
One night, Candace couldn’t sleep and kept checking the clock as the night felt like it lasted forever. Suddenly, a young boy appeared next to her alarm clock, dressed in a robe, with swirling, colorful lights glowing from inside him. The boy turned away and slowly disappeared into the distance.
Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2
Having trouble convincing herself it was only a dream, Candace searched the internet for answers and went through family photos to find a face resembling the boy in her dreams. While at the local library, where she had read everything she could find about spiritual encounters, Candace discovered a book on angels. “But he didn’t have wings,” she thought to herself.
However, she found a description of an angel that also radiated colored lights. But her angel didn’t leave her with a message.
Weeks later, Candice discovered she was pregnant, despite not having been able to conceive without medical help. After speaking with her doctor about her pregnancy, she realized that the day coincided with a visit from an angel. Candice now knows that God not only exists but also watches over us.
What is your experience with angels? How broad is your definition of angel? Has God ever used you as one of His angels?
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This is a reminder that we publish a weekly newsletter called the Circuit Rider. You can request this publication by email by sending a request to FlintAsburyUMC@gmail.com, or let us know when you send a message through our website. We post an archive of past editions on our website under Connect – choose Newsletters.
Pastor Tommy
Our series was inspired by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and LeAnn Thieman. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayers: 101 Stories of Hope, Miracles, Faith, Divine Intervention, and the Power of Prayer. Cos Cob, CT: Chicken Soup for the Soul, 2011.