Angels in Disguise

I believe that there are angels who assist us as we go about our everyday life. I also believe that sometimes we are put into service as angels for one another. We have a choice whether we answer the call. Once, I nearly blew a chance to be an angel for someone. As I was walking out of a building I noticed a young man on crutches wobbling and moving slowly. It was obvious that it was his first day on crutches. Ignoring the urge that I should punch the square panel on the outside wall that activates the doors so that handicap patrons of the building can enter and exit easily, I kept going. I thought he's young, strong looking, and in good shape despite the crutches. Surely he can push one square panel by himself. Besides I'm in a hurry to get out of here! So I went sailing past the panel and the smiling young man to get on with my life. Curiosity made me sneak a peep. What did I see? There he was working hard, struggling to open the doors without dropping his crutches. So I let out a big sigh, said "Okay, God," and went back to do what I should have done the first place. With a grateful smile, he thanked me for showing him what was to him a wondrous device. His smile got wider when I told him it was on most buildings in our area. No longer feeling put upon, I went on my way. I felt gloriously happy for several days. It was such a small thing that I was asked to do, but it made a real difference in that young man's life. To think I didn't want to be bothered! Since, that day I have worked harder at paying attention to those 'urges' that I feel are messages from God asking me to be helpful to another.

Let me tell you about another call I got to be an angel. I had planned all day that when I got off work I would go grocery shopping. I had my route planned to go to the nearest grocery store to my apartment. When I got off work instead of turning right to go where I intended to go, I turned left and went somewhere else. A place I don't usually shop because it was inconvenient to me. I wondered why the whole time I was driving there, but I had the urge to do this and I had finally learned to follow my urges. As I got out of my car, a stranger asked for my help. Feeling nervous, I walked toward the elderly woman sitting in a parked car. Turns out she was diabetic, her sugar level had dropped and she needed her husband who was inside shopping to come outside and drive her home. I smiled and asked her if she wanted the unopened package of glucose tablets I had put in my purse the day before. I recently had problems with my sugar levels and started carrying around a plastic tube of raspberry flavored glucose tablets. Looking surprised, she said yes, and I handed over the tube. After she gave it back to me, I went inside and had her husband paged. I still feel a rush of pure pleasure to the core of my very being every time I think of her. I feel blest that I answered the call. I sometimes wonder if she thinks of me at all, the unknown woman who just happened to be carrying the one thing she needed that day.

I've also been on the receiving end of getting angelic help from another. It was in the middle of winter when my coat needed replacing. I kept wearing it, but it was old, stained, raggedy and lost most of its ability to keep me warm. Broke, I couldn't afford to replace it. A friend, actually a woman I meet a few times but I didn't know her name or anything about her, came up to me and asked "Do you want this extra winter coat I have?" Shocked, I wasn't able to say anything for a moment. Nearly choking with emotion I answered. I'm not sure what finally tumbled out of my mouth, but what I was thinking is "Yes, I would love to take the coat." It was amazing to me that someone who barely knew me would offer me such a beautiful tweed winter coat. Needlessly to say, I know her name now. She is a good, good friend of mine. What an amazing woman, she has made it her mission in life to help others receive what they need: clothes, furniture, household appliances, ride to work, an apartment, etc... She blesses people everyday and feels blest in return.

Yes, I do believe in angels. Incredible beings made by God to assist humans as they learn to live on this planet and learn to live with one another. They can be us, ordinary people leading ordinary lives. We are beautiful angels in disguise. Don't be surprised if one day, when you least expect it you find yourself helping a stranger. Not for a reward or for the glorious credit, just because it felt right.