Entertaining angels

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Heb 13:2

Every day you see more people than you can count; associates you work with, patients and families with worries or questions and strangers for whom you care.

How many times have you unknowingly been an answer to their need, their prayer? More than you might realize!

This story comes for a friend who thought the message timely for this season. It is reported to be written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station. Before I could go for help, I saw a woman walking out of the quickie mart building, and she slipped on some ice and fell into the gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got to her, she was overcome by sobs. She was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up. I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

I saw her ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95. The dropped nickel told me something bigger was going on. I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying 'I don't want my kids to see me crying.’ So we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, “And you were praying?” That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, “He heard you, and He sent me.”

I took out my credit card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City. Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan. 1, and finally, in desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for “Christmas”. I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?' This definitely made me gulp! I said, 'You know, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Each day you care for people in need whether at home, community, clinic or office. You do make a difference, for you are the face of hope to each!

Much more than medicine indeed!

Peter

Peter Bath, D.Min.
V.P. Spiritual Wellness & Human Development
Shawnee Mission Medical Center