NOT ALL ANGELS HAVE WINGS

 

     Now, I know that angels intervene in our lives and I can recall times when my kids were spared death or terrible traumatic injury in accidents and a time when a stranger stopped to pull my daughter out of a smashed car that might have started up in flames only to disappear as soon as the police arrived. I attribute angels with the credit for watching over them even in their adult years, but there are also special “angels” who have blessed my socks off with their kindness, generosity, compassion, and financial blessings.

     It’s funny how just glancing at one sheet of printed paper while cleaning out old files can register a myriad of thoughts and emotions. Thirty-seven years ago this paper was the contact information for an attorney I received. This attorney was the first of many angels who ministered to me in a great time of need.

     After finding out that my husband of thirteen years, a pastor, was leaving me for his mistress, I crumbled. I had been a stay at home mom raising our four children, baking bread, cooking from scratch, taking care of other children for some pocket money, and the pastor’s wife; loving every minute. I just didn’t know how I would afford an attorney to represent me or where I was going to live when we left the parsonage.

     The new pastor who took over the church talked to a friend of his and connected me with an attorney in Brownsville, Jim Odabashian, who offered to take care of me pro bono. This was such an answer to prayer. I had told God I trusted Him and asked for help, but I am still to this day always surprised at how He answers and takes care of me. 

     A couple from the church where we had pastored made wooden doll house for my girls and wooden barn with animals for my boys for that bleak Christmas. The church gave me $500. to buy gifts and groceries for Christmas goodies and a feast that I would not have dreamed was possible right after my husband packed up and left.

     I discovered a four-bedroom house for rent just blocks from the schools and when I contacted the landlord, he and his wife decided to just charge me $200. a month for rent! This was unbelievable and such a miracle because I only had $450. per month to live on at that time and needed to go to the university for three years before I could teach school and make a decent wage.

     I started attending a different church with younger families and friends I’d known from before. One couple, Daryl and Grace, loaned me a VW Rabbit for three years to use while I commuted to UTRGV as a single mom with four children. I had a Lincoln Continental that would have strained my budget. They changed the oil, kept in touch to encourage me, and loved on my kids.

     Daryl was also my pastor and the church treasurer gave me $200 a month for the duration of my education as well as taking on a huge repair on my Lincoln and paying off surgery for my six year old daughter’s tonsillectomy. This helped me with my daycare expenses and kept healthy food on the table.

     I remember another time when I was going to spend spring break without any of my children. I was struggling emotionally to fend off depression and Connie, the art teacher from school, asked if I wanted to accompany her on a trip to New Mexico for the break and all I had to do was to pay for my meals, that she had relatives for us to stay with and she already planned to drive alone so not to worry about any gas. 

     That was such an uplifting time for me. I love road trips and to travel past the mesas, to visit her family for a baptism and dinner at their horse ranch. Then visiting her elderly aunt along Route 66; eating in a diner car. Then staying in Albuquerque with her sister and visiting with all her friends who came to hang out. Up we drove to Santa Fe to enjoy art studios, the architecture, food, and stunning views. Then west to inhabited Pueblo dwellings on a high mesa that was a cultural experience. Renewed. Restored. I was ready to tackle the hard stuff again.

      Today I am grateful for our dear neighbors and friends who come and step up to help us with odd jobs, mowing our lawn, looking in on our parents when we are out of town, and all of the wonderful donors who make our mission trips to Costa Rica possible these days. I am thankful for the freedoms we still continue to enjoy and the brave souls who fearlessly speak up to keep us on track as a nation.

     So many wonderful people. 

     I trust that I encouraged a child while teaching, or that some teen found out how significant their life was, or that as a family member, neighbor or friend that I was one of those wingless angels to these others that I encountered throughout the years. That’s what this world needs more of. 

     I challenge you to be that person. Look for ways to pursue random acts of kindness each day for your loved ones, friends, yes, and for strangers when you get the nudge. Your life will be full and joyful as you extend yourself to bless another human being or animal.

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (NIV)

I also like the MESSAGE version:

“Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!”

     

Photo credit

Archangel Gabriel's Messages in Dreams

thoughtco.com