Another Friday

I threw the stake in the ground last time I wrote and it's still there. Behind me. Ignored but not forgotten. Not forgotten....Moving on.

I recently read an opinion by Abraham Heschel about his take on "angels." It was eyeopening and inspiring. I must have read it late at night because I can't find his exact words and reference, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt citation from somewhere in his venerated book, The Prophets.

In Ps. 91:11 that author says (taken out of context): "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Another passage from context within the Psalms is 103 gives tribute to angels, "Praise the Lord you his angels, you mighty ones who do his will." In the CE Testament, Heb. 1:14 (taken out of context), and whose author is likely Paul (Saul of Tarsus) questions: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"

Angels. My angels. My Lord's angels. Dedicated. Protective. Strangers. Committed. Angels entertained unawares. I have heard stories of angels in snow storms that did not leave foot prints. I have observed angels who were not there when I went  to talk to them again. They were gone. I try not to pass up the chance to provide a cup of cold water or a sandwich or a meal in God's  name. It gives me chills and goosebumps, raises the hair on the back of my neck to relate these stories.

Recently I was privileged to hear this recital of angels being present.  The individual visited was a man who was dying in hospice care. His wife said that he had been generally out of sorts. He acted angry, agitated, grumpy, cross, mad at the world and because of his condition, and sullen. One afternoon while she was with him in his state of discomfit he started smiling, then laughing, clapping his hands, and was in a state of joy as if he was a young child. His wife, quite startled by his outbreak of euphoria, asked him what was going on. He giggled and asked her if she could see the bright light and the four people at the foot of his bed. They were dancing and singing and clapping their hands around his bed. It wasn't long after this experience that he peacefully died. His wife and family were extremely happy for his visitation and were given a final joyful gift from their husband and father.

Hospice is an awesome experience. Sometimes people who don't seem to be connected to reality start looking into the corners of the ceiling in their rooms at visions.

If I think of it I'll share more stories as they are related to me.