Angels

     I never really thought about angels seriously.  But recently my sister Susan read some books about them and some of the stories she shared with me really struck.   Surely angels are from God and have a purpose.  I have been looking up some verses about them in the Bible and here are a couple of them which really seemed proof of how they sometimes come to protect us while we are in trouble here on earth.  However I must preface this writing with the fact that I believe God is the one who chooses who and when to send angels to, to help.  He is the ultimate determiner of this.  I place my trust in Jesus and what He deems best for me.
     "Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.  For it is written;  He shall give His angels charge over you , and in their hands, they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."  Jesus said to him, "It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God."  Matthew 4:6
     I believe that when God has a purpose for someone that has not been fulfilled in this life, that He will send an angel to save them should they be in a dangerous situation.  I think that He sees the whole picture and knows all circumstances.  He places us where we need to be when we need to be there.  In this way, His purposes will be fulfilled. 
     Matthew 26:53 says this  "But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Or do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?"  This is what Jesus said to the men in the Garden when He was about to be arrested.  A legion is equal to an army of 600 men so 12 legions would be equal to 72,000 men!  Wow!  He had no doubt that God would send angels to help Him if necessary to save Him!  But in this situation, God's purpose was for Jesus to die on the cross for us. God did not send angels to save Jesus because His purpose was for Jesus to die to save mankind. 
     When I was a little girl of about 8, I was walking over to my friends house.  I had to cross Main street which was a fairly busy street at the time.  The year was 1973 or so, so it was more safe in those days to walk places.  It's just the way it was.  We often had to walk to the store to pick up things for my Mom.  I was standing across from the A&P, in between 2 cars parked along the side.  I looked both ways for my chance.  I remember seeing a truck coming but thinking that it was quite far away.  Surely far enough away for me to make a dash to the other side.  My judgement at age 8 apparently was not correct.  The next thing I knew, I opened my eyes and was looking straight up at the underside of a vehicle and not realizing how I got there.  I had no recollection of being hit or of any pain whatsoever.  I was just confused.  I was flat on my back.  I rolled myself over and crawled towards the front of the vehicle to get out.  I remember it so clearly.  When I got to the edge of the front end, a man was reaching down for me.  He grasped my arm and I shook him off and just ran towards the sidewalk.  All I knew was that he was a stranger and I had to get home.  I ran as fast as I could.  My next door neighbor, a boy, Joe S. was on the sidewalk watching and then he grabbed me.  He was delivering newspapers and he saw the whole thing.  He and the man, walked me back to the truck and brought me home to Mama.  It was such a scary thing.  But the beautiful thing was that I did not get hurt.  Not even a bruise on my body.  I remember my Mama laying me on her bed and checking out my arms and legs looking for bruises or cuts or broken limbs.  Not a thing wrong!  Looking back now I would say that an angel shielded me from harm that day.  I was not hurt at all.  This precious life of mine was protected.  Hopefully for the purpose of sharing the love of Jesus with my family and friends.  For this time. 
     I don't want to write this to hurt anyone.  Just to share a story.  For I know that some people die young.  It is so unfair.  It hurts too much.  We question why didn't He send an angel to save someone?  Someday, our questions will be answered.  Only He knows His purposes.  We just have to trust that He knows best. 

Waiting

     Do you ever feel like God is silent?  Like you wish He would tell you what to do or when to do it.  That you pray and pray for someone or something and it doesn't seem He listens.  I could go on for a long time about this.   It is difficult; especially when I am a get things done kind of person.  I want to move forward and feel impatient for new things to happen or for someone to get healed.  For everyday troubles to fall into place.  I have to wait on God.  Sometimes I just wish He would write answers in the sky.  But still I wait. 

     Yesterday I was exercising to an Insanity video.  The sound stopped working so I found myself completing the workout  without any encouraging instruction or the sound of the music.  So quiet and strange.  There was only about 20 minutes left to the workout so I kept plugging along.  I knew what to do and how long each exercise lasted but still nothing seemed right.  I like hearing the voice of Shaun T and the music.  I like hearing my teacher speak!  After about 10 minutes of silence except for the sounds of my jumping around, the sound blasted back on.  Yay!
 
      At the time I was comparing this to listening to God's instructions in life.  Sometimes He is silent.  He wants me to continue doing what I am doing to the best of my ability.  Working, loving, taking care of my patients and family and giving as much as I can.  I stay in prayer and read His word.  I know what He expects of me.  He trusts me to do the best I can.  I feel like He was telling me that when He wants me to make a change, or do something for Him, or make a new move in life, He will tell me and it will be loud and clear just like the sound of that video volume turning back up!  As I wait in expectation I am excited about my future and what He has planned for our family!

I pray this prayer.  In the morning you hear my voice, in the morning I place my requests before you and wait in expectation.  For I know that you have all my plans in place.  Plans to prosper me not to harm me.  Plans for a hope and a future.  I trust you with my life Lord!  I hope it is loud and clear when you speak.   In Jesus name, Amen.  I am learning to wait.  I am not always patient but I know He will answer. 
     I read this verse today in James. "Therefore be patient brethren until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.  You also, be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."  James 5:7&8  I am glad He speaks to me even when I am exercising!