There is a story about a town that had impending flood warnings. In an attempt to evacuate those who were left as the floods neared, a rescue squad went to those homes offering to help them leave. One older couple refused and said their life had been there. They knew that God would provide for them because of their faith through the years. After several attempts to persuade the couple, the rescue personnel left to assist more town folks.
As the waters hit town and rose, the couple, now on the second floor of their home, were approached by rescue personnel in a boat. Rescue pleaded with the couple to get in the boat and be taken to safety. Again, the couple refused saying with their faith in the Lord, He would provide.
Now, the town was succumbed to floods and the couple was now on the roof of their home. Again, rescue personnel were there and flew over in a helicopter offering a ladder to take them to safety from the floods. As before, the older couple refused and said with their faith in the Lord, He will provide.
Well, the older couple drowned. As they met St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, they asked, “why, with our faith in the Lord, did He not provide and save us?” Peter’s response, “but He did provide. He sent rescue squad, then a boat, and finally, a helicopter.”
I have used this story to express that angels are sent our way everyday, miracles in my interpretation. We tend to overlook the obvious messengers and who may have put them in our path. To me, there are few coincidences.
This past weekend, I was at a dinner to thank over 170 volunteers for their service with a non-profit organization I belong to that assists in rehabilitating those who have taken a wrong path. They not only try to get them ready to re-enter the workforce, they help them rebuild relationships with the Lord, their families, and their children. For many of these recipients, it is the first time someone invested anything in them. Most are in their situation because of learned behaviors and have not been shown any other path. As I share this story, it reminded me, though little in part, my part is big in picture. I could be the rescue squad, or the boat, or the helicopter. I just have to make sure I am listening when the message is sent to me and make sure I deliver the message intended.
My point in sharing all of this is that no matter what we go through, we need to look for and become those messengers. God is everywhere! He shows up through us and our actions. He sends us where we need to be and puts people in our path for a reason. I have no doubt of that!!
What part can we play in this? It doesn’t matter if it is big or small, it is needed! So many people want to blame God for the bad that happens, but no one wants to say there was another path they could have taken. There may have been an offer we refused, a gesture that would have changed a course someone was on, and the outcome. God never leaves us, and He offers many opportunities we are blind to many times over. He gives us strength we didn’t know we had. Satan, however, will lure those in under false beliefs and take all things good: freedom; families; homes; faith in good and God. The minute those things are gone, the Devil’s work is done. The Lord’s however, never left.
Let’s be the messenger put in the path of those who need us. Let’s be positive, without judgement of one’s past, and focus solely on the future. We were all born sinners and have done things we may not be so proud of. Don’t let that define you. Redemption is ours to own, and ours to offer.
#godisgoodallthetime #everydayangels #messengersofgod
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