As I plan and study for Sunday messages for the upcoming Christmas holidays I have been impressed with a series of books by Joan Wester Anderson about the activity of real ANGELS in our lives. Anderson says in her book, “Where Angels Walk,” that she made a post similar to the one you are now reading about the intervention into her life of a real angel and invited others to respond to her with their own angel stories. The result was four books full of sharing the stories she heard! As we look to the holidays, in this world so full of bad news about economics, politics, war and violence, it occured to me that we could use some good news about the activity of angels to bring peace in the midst of it all. Have you got a story to share about a ”brush with an angel”? Share your stories here and together we can celebrate the “good news of glad tidings” that the angels first brought to the shepherds in their fields that unto us a child is born…
I believe Angels are everywhere, in some shape or form. I don’t know that I have every really seen an Angel, but no they are there for me when things get bad. When I was teenager my great aunt Kathryn passed away in the early morning hours. During that night, the carousel music box that sat on my dresser played all by itself, although it was only for a few minutes I knew it was a sign of peace. The next morning, before I woke up my mom had received the news but she didn’t have to tell me I already knew. In fact before she could say anthing I asked -”Aunt Kathryn died, didn’t she?” I still remember the stunned look on my mom’s face. My dad passed away five years ago. My papo was an important aspect in my life, as dad’s seem to be with daughters. When he went into the hospital the week before his death, I had already come to terms with the fact it would be his last trip and he would never be coming home. Since his passing, there have been many troublesome days in my life, days I really didn’t know if I could go on. One day I came inches away from a serious car accident, and no that he was there to steer me away just in time. I always know he is with me because I can smell cigarette smoke. At first I thought it was something in my house, because that was the only place I smelt it. I asked my kids and Chuck, no they didn’t smell anything. Then one night I couldn’t go to sleep and there it was again. That smell calmed me down immediately, I simply said, “I love you papo.” and the smell went away. From that moment on, I know everytime that distinctive smell comes, I am not alone, dad’s just checking in on his little pumpkin - I am so thankful to have that reminder of him, because my biggest fear is not need that reassurance anymore that everything will be okay. A piece of him still watches over me - and I hope that never goes away.