There’s a verse in the Bible that tells us to be sure to entertain strangers because in doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2) And many people have speculated about this verse. Does it mean angels come down from Heaven to protect us? Or is God talking about human angels—those strangers we meet who are put in our path to help us when we need it the most? Certainly the Bible documents instances when angels were sent to protect or help people, but I also believe God uses people on this earth as angels to help us in our time of need.
In fact, I’ve met one myself.
Let me start the story by telling you a little bit about the last few years. More than a few readers have asked me about my history and I wasn’t quite sure how to share it, but an event today has given me the perfect opportunity to do so.
You see, my angel left today. And it really has me thinking.
Two years ago, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I’m talking an out-of-the-blue, never expected it kind of diagnoses. It happened suddenly, and before I even knew what was happening, I underwent brain surgery to remove the horrible thing. The good news is that it was benign, but the bad news was that I had just moved to a new area and had no family or close friends near me.
But God knew that would happen and He made a provision for it. Four months before the discovery of the tumor, I rented my downstairs apartment to a guy we’ll call Ted. Ted is a free-spirited kind of guy who makes friends wherever he goes and has a heart of gold. But when he rented my apartment, he probably never expected his landlord to arrive home after a hospital stay unable to figure out how to even plug something into the wall.
Yeah, recovering from brain surgery is not fun. At all.
But Ted jumped into action and quickly became the one person I could always count on. And he was right there every time I hit a milestone. When I finally figured out how to check my email two weeks after the surgery, he was there to cheer me on. When I decided I wanted to build raised vegetable beds in my back yard, he spent every weekend “helping” me until they were finished. He was constantly there to remind me that I was progressing and even went so far as to compliment me when I was 100 pounds with a shaved head.--with a straight face.
Yeah, Ted was my angel.
But, he moved today. He has another opportunity in a different city, and while it saddens me to lose my dear friend, I can only imagine that God has another assignment for him. After all, he completed his last one with perfection.
And that’s how I know God uses some people as angels on this earth. And why wouldn’t He? He knows our needs before we do, and if he can use a willing soul to help us in our time of need, He will.
So, as the verse says, be careful when you deal with strangers because you truly never know who they are. When Ted came to look at the apartment I was renting, I could have never imagined what a huge role he would play in my life.
But God knew. And I pray that Ted is richly blessed for his willingness to be an angel of God in my time of need.
Have you experienced an angel in your life? I sure would love to hear about it in the comments below!
In fact, I’ve met one myself.
Let me start the story by telling you a little bit about the last few years. More than a few readers have asked me about my history and I wasn’t quite sure how to share it, but an event today has given me the perfect opportunity to do so.
You see, my angel left today. And it really has me thinking.
Two years ago, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I’m talking an out-of-the-blue, never expected it kind of diagnoses. It happened suddenly, and before I even knew what was happening, I underwent brain surgery to remove the horrible thing. The good news is that it was benign, but the bad news was that I had just moved to a new area and had no family or close friends near me.
But God knew that would happen and He made a provision for it. Four months before the discovery of the tumor, I rented my downstairs apartment to a guy we’ll call Ted. Ted is a free-spirited kind of guy who makes friends wherever he goes and has a heart of gold. But when he rented my apartment, he probably never expected his landlord to arrive home after a hospital stay unable to figure out how to even plug something into the wall.
Yeah, recovering from brain surgery is not fun. At all.
But Ted jumped into action and quickly became the one person I could always count on. And he was right there every time I hit a milestone. When I finally figured out how to check my email two weeks after the surgery, he was there to cheer me on. When I decided I wanted to build raised vegetable beds in my back yard, he spent every weekend “helping” me until they were finished. He was constantly there to remind me that I was progressing and even went so far as to compliment me when I was 100 pounds with a shaved head.--with a straight face.
Yeah, Ted was my angel.
But, he moved today. He has another opportunity in a different city, and while it saddens me to lose my dear friend, I can only imagine that God has another assignment for him. After all, he completed his last one with perfection.
And that’s how I know God uses some people as angels on this earth. And why wouldn’t He? He knows our needs before we do, and if he can use a willing soul to help us in our time of need, He will.
So, as the verse says, be careful when you deal with strangers because you truly never know who they are. When Ted came to look at the apartment I was renting, I could have never imagined what a huge role he would play in my life.
But God knew. And I pray that Ted is richly blessed for his willingness to be an angel of God in my time of need.
Have you experienced an angel in your life? I sure would love to hear about it in the comments below!
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