Encounters with Angels

       I like to mention God in this column on occasion. Through my many life experiences, I have come to believe that God uses angels to help us in our times of need.
       I had one such encounter in the mid-90s. I was doing an assignment in college, taking photos at the famous Lamberts Café in Sikeston, Mo., home of the thrown rolls. Not giving it any thought I took off for Dexter, 25 miles away, and ran out of gas. There I was, sitting on the side of the road at ten o’clock at night, with no gas. Before long, a couple fellows showed up in an old junky looking car with no backseat. They offered me a ride to get some gas. With some reluctance, I climbed into the front seat, while the passenger crawled into the back. As we started to drive away, I began to wonder if this was such a good idea ,but it ended up working out. They took me to a convenience store where I bought a gas can and filled it up. They then decided to pull out a car that had driven into the ditch beside the gas station. After they pulled the guy out, I remember the driver saying, “Well, we’ve done our good deed for the day.”
        They took me back to my pickup truck, helped me put the gas in and waited until I got the truck started. Next thing I knew, they were gone.
         To this day, I believe those two men were angels sent from God.
        In the years since, Debbie and I have had several situations where we believe we had encounters with angels.
        On a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks, we were driving south of Jefferson City shortly after midnight (we never leave early for anything). There had hardly been any other cars on the four-lane highway for miles. Then a car came up the entrance ramp and got in front of us, promptly slowing down. And another car came up close behind us, blinding us with their headlights. 
           We both felt as if something strange was going on and became concerned.
        Suddenly, a police car appeared out of nowhere. Both cars quickly exited at the next ramp. And the police car was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
           Another episode happened in 2007. Debbie and I were driving through the Lacey-Keosauqua State Park when our car died. I was able to get a ride into town to find a tow truck and Debbie stayed in the car.
        While she was there, a man approached the car. He was friendly at first, asked through the closed window if Debbie needed help. Debbie didn’t put down the window or open the door. The man kept trying to get her to open the door and she continued to refuse. He got angry and started pounding his fist on the closed window.
            Suddenly, a woman dressed in scrubs pulled up in front of Debbie and exited her car.
            When the man saw her, he ran back to his truck, jumped in a took off. 
            Debbie got out and was talking with the woman when I returned with the tow truck driver. While I was talking to Debbie about what had happened, we turned to talk with the woman and she was gone.
            We were sure glad she had shown up when she had and believe she also was an angel.
            In recent months, I developed a bulging disc in my back. The disc issue was causing me much pain and weakness in my legs, especially my right leg.
           Just prior to mu back surgery, Debbie and I were in Pella for an MRI at the hospital. After lunch, we had planned to stop and pick up groceries, when I mentioned to Debbie that I needed a restroom.
            Knowing there was a nice one with limited walking at the library, we headed there.
        Unfortunately, there were lots of people visiting the library at that time and we had to park some distance away from the front door. And it was raining lightly. 
I got my walker and Debbie and I headed toward the front door.
            Just as we reached the handicap spots, my right leg gave out, and I fell to the ground.
            With Debbie being unable to lift me, we decided to call 911.
            While Debbie was making the call, I saw a gentleman putting some books in the book drop.
            He came over and offered to help.
         About the same time, an older couple appeared in the parking lot. Both were tall and had staffs that were taller than them.
            They offered their help and the gentleman asked Debbie to hold his staff.
            Then both men reached down and picked me up with ease. 
         While they were helping me to the library, the woman told Debbie that everything was going to be alright and that she understood how we felt as she had gone through the same thing a week earlier. 
            We all walked into the library and Debbie and I headed to the restroom.
          When it was time to leave, we were both concerned about how we were going to get back to the car safely.
            I found a chair inside the door and sat down.
            Debbie went looking for our helpers to see if they could help us back to the car. She walked all around the library, but they were all gone. Which was odd as we hadn’t been in the bathroom long.
            Debbie then went out to get the car to bring it closer.
            While she was gone, I said a quick prayer, asking God to send some help.
            Debbie was also praying for someone to help while moving the car.
            About that time, an older gentleman came out of the library carrying his books. He stopped to talk to me and asked if there was anything he could do to help me.
            I told him what had happened and asked if he could help me get to the car.
            He said he could help and took his books to his car, then came back.
            Debbie parked behind the cars in the handicap parking spaces and came back in to get me.
            The man wrapped his arms around me, picking me up out of the chair.
            He kept his arms around me and walked me to the car, helping me to get in. He said he had a severely handicapped wife at home and knew what it was like to struggle.
            After leaving the library, Debbie and I decided that the happenings of that afternoon were encounters with angels. 
            And we’re not sure what we would have done if they hadn’t come to help us.
           I encourage you to ask for help in your time of need, watch for your own encounters with angels and be sure to help others who need a hand.
            Since surgery I’m doing a lot better and getting stronger every day. And for that, I am very thankful. 
Good things are happening, every day and always.