What Was There?

 Misc.  7 Responses »
Dec 132010
 

One of my earliest memories is from when I was a very young boy living in Monroe, NC. It happened one night while I was laying in bed. I saw something that affected me so deeply, I still remember it.

I remember the bedroom was down the hall and to the left.  One night I was laying in bed, listening to my parents in the other room. I turned my head and looked toward the doorway. When I did, I saw what I assumed could only be my mother, standing in the doorway, looking at me and smiling. I called out “Mom?”  Then she disappeared.  I don’t mean she walked away. I mean, she disappeared. When my mother DID come to the room, it was apparent it had not been her.

I was only 4 or 5 years old. I was not on drugs. I was not asleep and dreaming. I don’t know who it was. I don’t even know IF it really was. I can only tell you that it looked so real and I have never forgotten it.

Now that I am older, I look back on that event and wonder about it.  If you were to press me, I would have to admit, I think it could have been an angel.  Some may scoff and say I was asleep and dreaming.  Others may say it was only my imagination; I was seeing things that were not there. 

Scoff if you will.  Think me crazy if you must.  I will easily admit that I don’t always see right all the time.  Even now, I will admit there are times I see things that aren’t really there.  There are also times when I don’t see things that are.  I don’t always see straight.  I don’t always understand what I see.  I don’t even always see what I think I understand.  Either way, I know there is more to life than what I can see.  And whether I see it or not, there’s something there.

Who Needs Angels?

 Consider This, Misc.  4 Responses »
Mar 012010
 

My son brought a dog home.  It wasn’t his dog.  He was doing a friend a favor and watching the dog for the week-end.  The dog’s name was “Angel”, but she wasn’t.  The dog wasn’t an angel at all.  She used our floor for a bathroom several times and she did her share of whining for sure.  The name did not reflect her nature.

Can you imagine what our phone books would look like if people were named based on their nature?  What if some great defining moment labeled you for the rest of your life?  There have been cultures and times when people were named in such a way.  Names had meaning.  My kids know about meaningful names.

In a style slightly similar to something Native American, I have assigned some special “Indian names” to our family members.  Our bathroom is often occupied by “Long Shower.”  “Three Alarms” is difficult to wake.  And the perfect name for our dog who will eat anything and everything, “Walking Stomach.”  No. Our dog would never be named Angel either.  Walking Stomach fits her just fine.  The name Angel should be reserved for something much better.

Usually when I think of Angels, I think of beings who are messengers of God.  Beings who show up and announce that something very important is about to happen.  Certainly I have read many scriptures where they filled that role.  However I recently read a passage that made me realize just how much of a blessing they can be.

When Jesus faced some of his greatest battles, angels were there, ministering to him.  At his birth, they were there.   In the wilderness after being tempted, they were there.  In the garden before the cross, they were there.  They were there, ministering to him.  Helping.  Healing.  Caring. 

Here is the part that really blesses me:  If Jesus needed their care during the rough points in his life, might we not expect the same ourselves?  God provided his heavenly ministers to be there when Jesus needed them most.  And for those of us who call him Lord, I believe he will do no less.

But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
     Hebrews 1:13-14