Do Not Fear, I Will Help You

I am in the midst of
moving. Unfortunately, due to other commitments, my family cannot assist me. While I am physically able to handle the demands of moving, it is a daunting task. However, God is indeed my helper as He has proclaimed in Isaiah 41:13.

First, the move is a good one, saving me $800 a month in rent and utilities. The apartment is new, only two years old, and beautiful both inside and out. This is the view from my ground-floor patio. God has indeed blessed me. 

Second, I will not have any yard maintenance, and yet will enjoy the benefits of lovely landscaped grounds. As for the inside, maintenance will even change light bulbs. I need only to clean. At this stage of my life, I’m ready to stop the hard work of maintaining a yard and house. 

As for help, two things happened. My neighbor offered to help transport and unload boxes at the apartment. A new friend I met in the lingerie department in Kohl’s, of all places, has also offered to help. Then, a power company employee working nearby noticed me carrying boxes and helped me unload my car. All these unexpected helping hands are making this move so much easier.

Dear Lord, thank you for all the help you have sent, and for all that You do for me. May I live a life worthy of such blessings. Amen. 

Angels Among Us - Revisited

My husband and I took our Brittany, Cooper, to a snake avoidance class 2 1/2 hours from home. On the drive we played some music CDs. One of the first songs to play was, I Believe in Angels. It reminded me of a time when an angel appeared to me when I needed one the most. I thought others might enjoy a rerun too. 

This originally posted in January of 2012

Angels Among Us 

A friend sent me a beautiful image of an angel with the caption: An Angel to Watch Over You. It reminded me of another time I was given an angel.

 I had not expected the removal of my late husband's name from our joint checking account to be as monumental as planning the memorial or arranging for the burial, but it was. This last task was the final erasure of our life together, only a few mementos and memories would remain.  I barely managed to maintain my composure as I signed the last document.

The bank representative asked me, "Did you come alone?

"Yes."

"I can see how difficult this was, and I am concerned for you."

"I'm okay."

"Well, I don't think you should be alone. You need a companion, someone to watch over you, and be with you."

Turning, she pulled a small pin from her jacket  and handed it to me. "Here, take this angel with you. It was given to me during a difficult moment in my life, and I would like to pass it on to you."

"Oh, no I can't accept that. I don't want to take your angel."

"Take it. It was meant to be passed onto others.  Take it, you need it more at this moment than I do. When and if I need another angel, one will be provided, just as this  one was."

I accepted her gift, and left the bank with my small treasure securely pinned to my coat lapel. Through the woman's kindness my entire day turned from one of unimaginable sorrow to one filled with hope. Every time I looked at the small pin, I thought of her and her kindness to a stranger, a reminder of God's promise to be with us, always.

Several years later my sister-in-law, my late husband's sister, was diagnosed with late stage breast cancer. I recounted the story of the angel, and gave Shari the pin. Shari passed away two years later, and I don't know where that pin is now. Hopefully it was passed on to someone who needed that little extra touch of kindness, the reminder we do not go through these sorrows alone.

After hearing my story about my treasured pin, my sweet daughter gave me another made from Black Hills gold. This little angel reminds me there are angels among us, disguised as co-workers, family members, daughters, friends, and bank representatives, ready to reach out and touch our lives with unexpected kindness, offering us hope and comfort when we need it the most. May God bless them as much as they have blessed us.