14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? – Hebrews 1:14
Tragedy
I remember the day my mother in law passed into eternity. Like the rest of the family, I was stunned. One week prior she was a vibrant, healthy, bundle of energy (a polite way of saying hyperactive!). She was the proverbial straw that stirred the drink, at least in our family. Ministering to and encouraging everyone she came into contact with. And then there was the accident. A fall from a bicycle from which she never regained consciousness. The closest thing to perpetual motion I have ever seen in a human was now stilled. Never again to perform a kind act. No more words of encouragement would come from her mouth. No more prayers of intercession for those she was burdened for. Who would stand in the gap?
Ministering Spirits
With so many memories of the past and questions about the future going through my mind, I picked up my Bible and read Hebrews chapter one. In all honesty, I had a hard time concentrating on the words I was reading. Not the recommended way of reading God’s Word, but God decided to bless me anyhow. As I set down my Bible, God spoke to me. What did I just read about angels? I quickly picked my Bible up again and re-read verse fourteen, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” I wasn’t sure what the future would look like with the loss of someone so important in our lives, but God assured me we would be taken care of even if He needed to send His angels to minister to us. As He does for all of His children if necessary.
Down Story
A few years ago we made a trip to Frankenmuth during the Christmas season. One of the highlights for the kids was sitting on Santa’s lap. We don’t really promote Mr. Clause, but we let Caleb see him never the less. After the visit with Santa, we passed by a welcome center. Upon seeing Caleb, one of the workers behind the counter lit up like a Christmas tree. She almost literally ran around the counter and upon approaching us asked if she could hug Caleb. I don’t think a response of “no” would have stopped her. We knew a story would ensue. Sure enough, she had a Down’s brother. The pride and joy of her family. Like everyone with Down Syndrome, he had a compromised immune system. Susceptible to every bug and slower to recover once “bitten”.
A Doctor’s Okay
She proceeded to tell us how her brother became ill and her mother became worried. A few trips to the doctor’s resulted in nothing more than being told her son was okay and she was anxious for nothing. The diagnosis was an overprotective mother. If I can attest to one thing from experience, a bond between a mother and her Down’s son is a very strong one. Deciding to trust her intuition over the advice of the doctor, the mother took her son to the ER where he was promptly admitted for pneumonia.
A Nurse’s Okay
It was obvious from the passion with which she was telling the story, that this young man with Down Syndrome was the “straw” of the family. Definitely their pride and joy. It was with great anguish that they had to watch his health decline. How much did he comprehend? How much did he suffer, perhaps unnecessarily? Where was God in all of this? In the midst of this hospital room clouded with such despair and confusion, entered a pretty blond nurse. A nurse the family had not seen before. When she entered the room she brought an aura of peace and confidence. The nurse checked the patient and comforted the family. Assuring them over and over that everything would be okay. They had no need to worry about their brother/son. And then she left.
What Nurse?
The family spent a little more time with their loved one and discussed the new nurse. Wanting to learn more about her they approached the desk outside of their room to inquire about her. The nurses stationed outside looked at each other perplexed. They assured the family that their station was never abandoned and the whole time the family was in the room, no one else ever entered it. Certainly, no one matching the description of the pretty blond nurse.
To say that this stranger who so desperately wanted to hug our Down’s son had our interest would be an understatement. I was certain there was going to be a happy ending to her story. But, I wasn’t expecting what she proceeded to tell us. Shortly after this occurrence with the special visitor, her Special brother passed away. Heartbroken, her mother also passed away shortly after. I was dumbfounded. Here we are at the Christmas capital of the world, to celebrate the season with family and in-laws and I am listening to one of the saddest stories I have ever heard. And yet, this stranger had such a peace about the whole thing. While our son reminded her of her deceased brother, she reminded us of the truth of Hebrews 1:14.
Angels
When Abraham sent out his servant to find a wife for Isaac, he assured him that he would be guided by an angel. When Daniel was cast into the lion’s den, an angel stopped the mouth of the lions. When Peter was in prison, he was released by an angel. An angel guided Philip, and an angel encouraged Paul. Jesus, Himself, was ministered to by angels in the wilderness. The list goes on, but this is sufficient to validate the fact that angels are heaven sent ministers.
Trials will come. Doctor’s, like all humans, will make mistakes. The “helpless” and so-called handicapped will suffer like everybody else. Certainly, no one is immune from the pain of separation. But like the angel in the hospital room repeated to the family, “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” Like this stranger reminded us, God can take a heavy heart and buoy it with hope. The angels may not stop the trials, but they will help us keep the faith until we are home. That is a happy ending.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28