“God sends angels to bring His messages to guide us in our
ministry.” ~ Acts 8:26
She didn’t remember the impact; that
part of the car accident was a blank. Now
she wished that this part was too; wondering when things would ever change.
In bits and pieces through the haze of Andie’s returning
consciousness, the doctors explained that she was lucky to be alive. She’d been in a medically-induced coma for
nearly a month, recovering from multiple head and assorted orthopedic injuries.
So much had gone wrong.
Pain burned like red-hot coals throughout her body. Physical therapy was only supposed to last a
couple weeks. Weeks had stretched to
months, and although she could walk now, she still fought for balance.
A throbbing headache still robbed her of sleep most nights. Andie’s stomach growled and she grimaced at
the thought of food. All the medications
were ruining her appetite, too.
She was so tired of pain. So tired of being tired. Lost in thought, Andie switched off the TV and
wept quietly as light rain pelted the window pane.
“It’s Ok,” the unfamiliar nurse said tenderly, “Cry as much
as you want."
As if she’d been given the "permission" she needed,
Andie began sobbing even before the nurse finished speaking. The nurse drew Andie's head to her chest,
holding her as she moaned the jumbled words that come when pain is too deep for
expression.
The moment passed. Andie
straightened up; apologizing through halting tears.
"Andie," she began." He knew you needed to be held in His arms
today, just for a moment to hear His heartbeat. He sent me to wrap you in His peace. The sun will come out again for you soon." She squeezed Andie's hand gently. “Place your life in His hands!” she said
before walking away.
Sunbeams immediately broke the afternoon gloom. A new day was born; the bitter months of despair
had been replaced with a sense of joy, hope, and the warmth of God’s embrace.
Angels sent from God - to protect, strengthen, and
encourage. It happens all the time, more
often than we realize. He knows when
we're drowning, and need His touch.
We all have days when we can’t push any harder, can’t hold
back self-doubt, can’t stop focusing on fear.
We don't always have to be strong. Sometimes our strength is expressed when we
allow ourselves the courage to feel scared, weak, and vulnerable. Sometimes we need to fall apart to regroup
and stay on track.
But He’s got this! Relief
from physical and mental anguish starts with letting God be God.
“Father, I place my life in Your hands!” (Luke 23:46) Help
me to know that it’s okay to allow myself to be human. Help me not to feel guilty or punish myself
when I need to "fall apart" and rely on the angels You place in my
path. Amen
