Lesson 281 He Always Called Me Angel

Army of Tennessee Chaplain David Chaltas

 

 

He Always Called Me Angel

He was the college professor for Developmental Psychology. The class was required for my nursing degree.  I heard he was humorous and a great instructor but a little different.  Well, to be honest, he was very different and, as he stated, marched to a different drummer. 

From the first day I walked into his class, he called me angel. I didn’t understand where that came from because my name was Mary.  At first I simply thought he had me confused with another student but after a few classes I realized he knew my name but for some reason, referred to me as angel.  In fact, he always called me angel.  It got to a point where I began wondering why.  Finally my curiosity got the best of me and I asked if I could speak to him after class.  He consented with his usual smile.

We talked for a few moments about my grade and my chosen profession.  Finally I asked him about my new name.  He hesitated a moment, smiled and then simply stated that he was not sure but felt lead to do so.  He said that maybe it was because I was going to be a great healer.  I left even more confused and yes a little frustrated.

I completed his class, graduated from college, and began my career in nursing.  The memory of being called an angel faded with time.  I was employed at a reputable hospital and worked the night shift.  The hours were long and hard.  I went in at midnight and sometimes didn’t get off until 10:00 in the morning.  I had been there for over six years and had learned so many lessons on life.  I started taking classes to become a Nurse Practitioner. They were evening classes and didn’t end until around 9:30 at night.  I didn’t have time to go back home so I usually drove the winding roads to my work, which was twenty-three miles from the college. 

The night was dark and the rain had been heavy.  Visibility was for only a few yards and the fog could be cut by a knife.   I was cautiously negotiating the curve we all called horseshoe when I noted the guard rail had been hit and headlights were faintly shining.  I stopped my car and saw that a vehicle had hydroplaned through the guardrail.  I immediately went rushing down the steep slope and to my horror the car was suspended on a ledge with a fifty foot drop off.  The vehicle was laid on its top and dangled. It was then I heard a moan.  I went to the car and noted a man covered in mud was semi unconscious.  I knew that the vehicle could go over the embankment at any moment so I had to act quickly.  The elderly gentleman’s seatbelt was jammed and my greatest fear was that the car would start sliding due to the door being opened and the extra weight of my body moving around in a desperate attempt to free the man.  But I had to do something, it was my duty.  I offered a prayer and almost immediately the belt released allowing me the opportunity to drag this injured man from the car just before it plummeted over the wall bursting into flames. 

It was then that I heard his voice.  It was very faint and weak but the words rang like a bell in my soul. His one word sentence spoke volumes to my heart and my tears could not be contained.

“Angel”, he said softly, putting his hand in mine.

It was then that the realization came.  All along he had known and I was naive that indeed someday I would be an angel unaware.

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

We never know when we entertain angels.  The word angel is from the Greek word aggelos, which means messenger.  In Hebrew mal’ak means the same thing.  Angels are mentioned at least 273 times in Bible.  In Hebrews 1:14, the Bible states that angels are ‘ministering spirits’.   In most cases we are unaware of their presence, and the ‘messenger’ may well be unaware of their role in offering ‘saving grace’.   We must always remember that God watches over His sparrows and does it not stand to reason that He will watch over you through your guardian angel. Rejoice this very moment and receive the good news of Christ.  Embrace this day as if it were your last.  Greet each person as if they were your angel.  Thankful for my angel who was sent from God, I remain the old general