Do Not Be Afraid!
I love that these words accompany most every angelic encounter in the Bible. It seems to be an odd greeting, but probably necessary! As we talked about in our class yesterday, I would imagine that a glowing, singing, winged creature suddenly appearing in front of you might inspire a fair amount of dread. I gotta think that a bit of God-ness has to come with the greeting, as if said creature tells me to not be afraid, I am automatically MORE afraid. But that's just me.
I'm really curious about this subject, to be honest. I totally believe that there are angels around us, working in the world as we speak. But I don't know if I've ever really seen one. I think I've felt them. I can remember one time in college, driving in the country near Cedar Falls. It was icy out, and I was approaching a stop sign. I can remember something in my head saying "Slow down early", and as my car stopped, another car slid through the intersection at a pretty high rate of speed. I don't remember audibly hearing a voice, but I know that something was telling me to stop. Angel? I kinda think so...and the fear that comes with that is more of the "That was totally awesome and gave me goosebumps" kind of fear. I wonder how it would be if I were to actually see one -- I'm guessing I would need the greeting, and maybe even another reminder to not be afraid should that ever happen...
Two part question today:
1) Have you ever experienced angels? Seen them? do tell...ask you kids. Have they? Where?
2) What about this 'fear' thing? What makes an experience like this scary to us?
2 comments:
When Cael was still pretty small, he gave me some indications that he knew of angels in his world. Once at church, around Christmas time, they were running a slide show before church started and one slide was of angels. Every time it came up, he'd point at it and then point to the pew bench just to his right side. He did this about four times - every time that picture came up. I moved over a bit to ensure there was enough room for his personal guardian. Another time, I was holding him in our rocking chair late in the evening. I was silently praying for him, asking God for miracles. All of a sudden, Cael touched me and said "Angel." I was sort of stunned, because that thing at church was still fresh in my memory, so I said, "Me?" He didn't answer, just pointed at me again and said, "Angel." So I asked again, "Am I your angel?" He shook his head no, pointed at me again, and said, "Angel." I don't know if angels sit on mother's laps and help cradle babies, but that night, I think one did.
He hasn't wow-ed me with that kind of revelation ever since, but I don't doubt he was seeing something with his innocent eyes that I just could not see.
you know, i think our kids have spiritual eyes that we don't (or get jaded out of us by 'adulthood'). i can remember our kids looking around the room as babies and focusing on something -- not the baby, gazing off thing, but really intent on something. i've always believed they could see the things around us...great story, jamie. that gives me chills.
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