Where Angels Appear
Dear friends and family of Hilton Baptist Church,
You never know when or where an angel may show up.
This morning I needed to clear the snow off the driveway which had fallen overnight. The snow blower decided it was too cold to work and refused to cooperate. I was forced to remove the snow the old fashioned way, my back and a shovel. I needed to shovel snow off my driveway… and the sidewalk leading to my front door… and the deck.
I should probably admit that I have not been having a good week. I am not certain if my mood made the shoveling worse or if the shoveling made my mood worse. Either way I was not happy and it is probably best that none of you were around to hear what I was mumbling to myself.
In the middle of my mumbling and grumbling I began to think about Christmas. Have you ever noticed how one thought can lead to the next? First I began reflecting on Christmas and this led me to thinking about Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve reminded me of my Grandpa Brown who sang “O Holy Night” every year at the church service. I was then reminded that my Grandpa Brown passed away on Christmas morning which then caused me to think of the passing of my Grandma Brown, and finally this led me to give some thought to my Grandpa Johns who died a few years ago.
Finally, my brain must have had enough and my heart decided to take over. I felt sadness for those who are no longer with me and found myself missing them. As I continued to shovel during this melancholy moment I glanced up and I saw a small piece of snow in the shape of an angel against the house. Perhaps it was coincidence or perhaps it was a sign, I don’t know (I once knew someone who said “There are no such thing as coincidences. There are only ‘God’-incidents). Either way, it brought me comfort in a moment when I needed it.
Angels appear in many stories of our faith, but they seem to be most apparent in the story surrounding Jesus’ birth. It seems nearly everyone involved in this story has an encounter with an angel. Each time an angel appears it is an unexpected encounter in sometimes unexpected places in unexpected ways. But that is what angels do, they show up unannounced. I don’t think anyone has ever had an angel ask to set up an appointment.
Angels have many varied responsibilities but one of them is to bring us a message from God. I think my “snow-angel” was a simple reminder from God. I think God wanted me to know that all is well and even though some loved ones are not physically with me, they are very near to me in my heart.
This season, keep your eyes and your heart open. You never know when or where your angel may show up.
With Peace and Grace,
Dan
Categories: Pastors Message, Uncategorized