Odd Angel (A True Story)

A woman driving to pick up her daughter from school was running very late. Her day, as always is the case of an elementary school teacher, was full of surprises.  She was anxious to get to her destination so she could get home.  After turning down a side street to avoid traffic, she noticed a scraggly looking older man foraging on the ground for cans.  He wasn't on the main street begging for money like others she had seen, he was trying to earn his keep.  She admired that and, while she reflected on the man, a little voice inside her told her to give that man her last five dollars.  Well, she wrestled with the voice for a while.  She thought of how her husband would not approve because they didn't have enough money to give any away.  She thought about the fact that she was hungry and wanted to use that money to get something to eat.  She thought of the fact that some emergency might come up and she would have nothing for even a phone call if she gave the money away (no cell phones back then).  While having all of these thoughts she passed the man by.  When she reached the end of the short road still struggling inside herself, she had one more thought of how she was already running so late and would have to turn into traffic in order to get back around to where the man stood.  Then her mind cleared. She made that turn, got through the traffic, pulled over next to the man. She asked how he was doing.  "Blessed by the blessed," he replied and called her sister.  His demeanor wasn't at all pitiful.  As a matter of fact, he carried himself with nobility, strength, and dignity.  She gave him the money.  He looked her straight in her eyes as if to see down to her soul, thanked her for the five dollars and went on to witness that God truly supplies all of our needs.  The man had worn clothes, unkempt skin, wild hair and...the spirit of Jesus.  There was no doubt in her mind that this was a God moment and that Jesus was being represented right then.  The man was a vagabond on the outside, but there was apparently more to him on the inside.  The woman drove away wanting to be more like him.  The point? You never know where God places his angels. So try to see the Jesus in everyone.

 

Scripture:

Hebrews 13:2

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares

 

Matthew 25:34-40

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink, I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 

Prayer:

Lord, we can find you in some very unexpected places.  Bless us to recognize you in others.  Give us hearts and spirits that compel us to be a blessing to others. May we daily be earthly representatives of your spirit of love.