I can’t do it. . .I just can’t. No matter how early I awake on a Sunday morning, the Lamgo clan is always late to church. Our pastor talks to the congregation about waking up just twenty minutes early so we can be on time. Not us. . .twenty minutes early for us simply means more time to get the bull out of the front yard, look under the hood of the car to clear out twenty kittens or take the time to drive down our country driveway without someone hitting their head on the ceiling or snorting their drink up the nose.
Once the left turn out of the bumpy driveway is halfway completed, we fly.
fly like the wind
The Lord made our street’s speed limit 55 miles per hour to accommodate our Sunday travels. Not a soul on the road until we make our way up Mt. Peak hill where we meet our pace car.
And that is when our Christianity’s limits are tested and many times our not so finest hours are made. “Come on!” I’ve even resorted to rolling the eyes. Which seldom works.
“For He will command his angels concerning you, to guide you in all your ways.” – Psalm 91:11
It has taken me almost one year of huffs and puffs, and eye rolling, and “COME ON BUDDY’s” to realize that perhaps my “pace car” on the occasional Sunday morning is just that. An Angel sent by God to keep me from speeding, getting into trouble, a car accident or arriving at a time different from what God had intended. Do we ever think of the inconveniences in life as God planned and God created.
Angles are among us. The Bible tells us so, even if we do not believe we have encountered one today. . .they are here, they are of God, sent by God and guess what. . .you’ve encountered one today, you just don’t always know it.
Angel #1- the airport
Bev. . .a good friend of my mom and a sister in Christ is now in her late 80’s numerically; but about 20 yrs old in spirit and will. I fell in love with this child of God the first night she came to visit us in Texas. Her stories were hilarious, heart felt, emotional, exciting, suspenseful, and at moments heart breaking. She told a good story.
But the one story I’d like to pull you into is one that will remind you that each and every encounter should be thought of as God sent.
The word Angel from the greek word, “Aggelos” meaning, “a messenger.”
Messenger sent of God, by God and for the Glory of God.
The free-spirited and completely dependent on God, Bev, traveled back to her roots in Chicago. Navigating the busy airport during the holiday season seemed somewhat overwhelming until she asked God to help her. I love her worry free life. Bev is not perfect. But after speaking with her twice this past week, I can say that she has this joy in God that gives more than enough room for faith and thanksgiving that the majority of us set aside for worry and insecurity.
Walking through O’hare she found out that her flight had a last-minute gate change. From behind her a gentle hand touched her elbow and a the voice of a man referencing her flight number said, “let me help you to your gate.” She, walking side by side with this man could not actually see his face. She never turned her neck, but her peripheral vision caught an old gentleman with a gentle touch guiding her to her gate so she didn’t miss her flight. As soon as she saw the flight number on the board of her new departure gate, she turned to thank the man holding her arm. There was nothing.
Bev smiled. Because she had no doubt that the gentle man who guided her was an angel. A messenger, sent by God to Bev to help her as she asked Him for help to find her gate. She never doubted. And God didn’t fail.
Oh the security of a daddy that knows our needs, hears our cries and runs…not walks, but runs to our rescue even before we ask. How do we get that. I want THAT.
I want that kind of faith that does not need to see the face of the angel leading me.
Angel #2- the cafeteria
Are all Angels angelic? I don’t think so. They walk among us as to not be noticed.
Hebrews 13:2- Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
I’ve been spending some time in a hospital cafeteria while a loved one has been a patient. I usually find a quiet corner where I can prop up my feet and pull out the laptop. That is when Wanda walked up to me. A housekeeper in the orthopedic department sat at the table next to me and said hello. She then asked me why I was there and who I was visiting. I shared my story and she began sharing hers. She asked me how many children I had. I answered “5 and one on the way through adoption.” She spoke of her family who was on the mission field, her adopted grandchildren, her struggles and I answered with mine. We spoke for an hour while gagging down a very poorly seasoned vegetarian cream of “we have no idea what” soup.
The next day, feeling a bit lonely and discouraged heading through the cafeteria doors, there she was. . .”how are you today?” We hugged and sat in separate areas. She was my angel for the day. Her face was rough. Her frame was thick and her voice was harsh. And the spirit of the Lord surrounded her in every way. “God Bless you,” she said as she passed by one last time.
Angel #3- the beggar
On my way home before pulling onto the street of my hotel, there he was. A rugged man dressed in his best slacks and slightly wrinkled periwinkle button down shirt and worn navy blue slip on shoes. He held a sign that said, “This is the true story. . .I am a Dad who is swallowing his pride. Anything will help.” My first thought was “sad.” My second thought was much harsher. If he has time to hold a sign why not apply for a job at McDonald’s? My third thought: this is a scam. And then finally. . .”but what if this is an Angel.”
What if angels wear periwinkle button down shirts and hold signs to test your softness, your faith and your thankfulness. What if God wanted me to give to this? What if God sent him to me to remind me to simply “ask” for what I need. These thoughts passed quickly as suddenly the light changed and I went on my way without giving. “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Did I miss out on a blessing? Yes, but I hope to grow through the lesson. Because you just don’t know until you face the fact that nothing is without God. No encounter at the airport, the cafeteria or the side of the rugged road.
Let’s work on our understanding of the Sovereignty of God, His good, good gifts and not let another angel go un-noticed. Let’s run to our Lord and ask for the kind of faith that allows us to be led without seeing the face of the one that leads us, to embrace the pace car and practice patience, to listen to the words of God through a perfect stranger and to embrace the signs we refuse to read.
Psalm 103:19-22 “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.”
Eggs in a Basket 