Skip to main content

Angels Unawares

Share This Devotional

She didn’t even know he knew how to take the light rail. Neither she nor her estranged husband allowed him to freely roam the city.

Just the afternoon before, my protective friend, always afraid to let go of her 13-year-old son, Ryan, had just endured an exceptional argument that escalated to the point where she hit him on the leg with his tennis shoe.

Filled with anger, her Christian son stomped out of their home, yelling profanities at her, hurling words that brought anguish and sorrow. She waited for his return; he headed for his Dad’s.

Worried when he didn't return, she called Ryan’s friends. Then she dialed hers, one after the other, to pray, unaware of God’s divine interventions.

On Ryan's way to the light rail, a strange man on the street walked up to him, stuck out his hand and gave him a little piece of paper. Ryan grabbed it and stuck it in his pocket. He didn’t want to read it.

When he arrived at the light rail station, without hesitation he asked two strangers for money. One was reluctant and rude - the other freely handed him a dollar. He boarded the light rail and headed for his Dad's.

Now, a week later, the storm had blown over. Ryan sat with his mom and spent time in the Word. They had just finished reading that the Spirit is real. Ryan agreed, recounting his experience. He knew his mom had been horrified that he hit the streets and turned to public transportation alone.

“Mom, that day I had a look in my eyes; everyone knew not to mess with me,” he boasted. She winced.

“When I arrived at Dad’s I remembered the note. I pulled it out of my pocket, smoothed it out and started laughing out loud.”

“Dad hustled over. 'What is it?’ He wanted to know what was so funny."

“I told him. The paper this man gave me said, 'You can do nothing without Christ.'

“‘Did you tell him you were a follower?’ Dad, who never talks about my faith, asked.”

Ryan received the note during the time my friend was desperately praying with others feeling helpless. At the time she was praying, the poor man who she believes was an angel in human form, approached Ryan. “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (NIV)

That little folded note, given by the stranger, reinstated my friend’s faith one-hundred fold - and Ryan’s. Now she knows, not just in her mind but in her heart, that whenever her son is away from her presence, God is there with him.

The peace that passes all understanding, resides not just for herself, but for her son. She is reminded as we are reminded by her story: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (NIV)

Copyright Dee Aspin 2008. Used by permission.

Share This Devotional

About The Author

Dee
Aspin

Dee, a freelance writer, worked as a hospital RN and volunteered with Juvenile Justice Chaplaincy and Christian Single’s groups for three decades in her native California. She authored Lord of the Ringless and is now married. Dee also authored dogSpirations, and many of the dog devotions were inspired by her beloved Lab, Sammy, and her mini-schnauzer, Benji. Dee has written for Barbour, Guideposts, Revel and more.

How can CBN pray for you today?

We would love to pray for you or someone you care for. Please feel free to fill out the Prayer Request form.