Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers,
for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares.
~ Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)
Today I encountered
an angel. Yes, there are many times that God has used people I know to send me
a message, but this was a true angel.
I had lunch with the women from the
Enrollment Division. It was not the usual crowd. Toward the end of lunch I shared
with Jenn and Nancy the blessings I’ve received and the lessons God has been teaching
me about letting people in. God has shown me His love and support through those
around me. God is not going to come down in robes of white, flashes of light,
and a big halo. It is through the people in my life that I experience His
grace.
These were the thoughts I shared with Jenn
and Nancy. As we were leaving the cafeteria we heard a voice. “Excuse me ma’am.”
We stopped, thinking it was someone who needed help or directions to an office.
It was a woman in a brightly colored blouse who had gone unnoticed during our
lunch. She said, “I could not help but overhear your conversation at lunch.” I
thought she had her own story to share. Instead she continued, “I want you to
have this book.” She handed me Eat, Pray,
Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
I have never seen this woman before – and I know
most of our students. I never did ask her name. Will I ever see her again? Could
she afford to give away a book that obviously means something to her?
I asked my companions if they knew her.
Neither had ever seen her before. Nancy commented on the random act of
kindness. Jenn commented on coincidence and the universe. I called it fate; and
an angel from God to give a gift.
What a sweet story! There was a time back at Gordon, when I think I met an angel. A pair of them, actually. Two women needed a place to stay and a male floor chaplain referred them to me. They mentioned that they had been arrested for civil disobedience (related to protesting nuclear power) with a camp friend of mine from Pennsylvania. I let them sleep on the floor. I received a huge amount of encouragement from them. Various friends and I were convinced they were angels -- but who knows, for sure? Still, I like to think they were....
ReplyDeleteI believe they were.
DeleteThat's fascinating! I believe she was an angel sent to you. Have you read that book before? If not, I hope you read it very, very carefully, keeping in mind the conversation you had at this particular lunch!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the book I did, in fact, keep the encounter in mind. I also kept thinking that I need to read it again with a journal nearby to "journal" my thoughts.
DeleteI haven't read it, but I think I am going to, now.
Delete