Angels don't always show themselves to us. But we can be sure of their constant
presence, even as they work in silence.
The plans were complete. My husband would be driving the church's big Greyhound
type bus full of young choir members to the beautiful state of Colorado. In that
place where God placed springs in the valleys and streams that gush from
mountains, those excited boys and girls would minister in song. God did not give
me a voice to sing. But, I love to pray. And I had been included on this mission
trip going to one of my favorite places in the world. An intercessor I would be.
Anticipation was building as I visualized good times sitting before Jesus in
intercession for those young people.
With gorgeous snow capped mountains surrounding me, I knew there would be
wonderful intimate times with my Lord. And then about two weeks before the bus
was to leave, I developed pain in my back on the left side. Trying to ignore the
pain I continued with my normal activities. But, soon, I realized there was
definitely something wrong with my aching body and I had better get it checked.
Sure enough, the doctors diagnosis was shingles. Websters dictionary says
shingles are an acute viral infection, characterized by severe pain. I
definitely had the sharp pain, accompanied by other symptoms that made me know
there would be no mission trip to the mountains of Colorado for me.
The severe pain took away part of the disappointment of not getting to go with
them. I just wanted to feel better. Our team loaded the bus and headed West. I
went back to bed. After a day or two, I realized I was spending many hours in
prayer. Probably more than if I had been in the midst of the excitement all
those young people were surely creating. Alone at night, I asked God to put His
guardian angels in every window and every door. It was as if I could see them in
my spirit, standing tall, girded in armor, protecting me from the evils of the
world. When I would awaken in the morning the medicine I had taken the night
before, for my shingles, had been depleted. Pain, once again, would be ravaging
my body. Talking to the Lord on about the third night I was by myself, I asked
Him to awaken me early. I remember I specifically asked that He would wake me at
6:30 a.m. That way I could get my medicine before the morning pain became so
excruciating. That night I slept well.
Suddenly, the next morning there was a sharp knock on my back door. Glancing at
the clock by my bed, it read 6:25. Wondering who would be needing me that early
in the morning, I hurried down the stairs. There was no car in the drive.
Parting the curtains, I could also see there was no one at the back door.
Puzzled, I stood there for a moment, questioning the loud noise that sounded
like someone rapping my back door.
And then in my spirit, I heard my precious Lord said to me, "Melva, remember you
asked me to awaken you at 6:30 this morning. The sound at your door was an angel
knocking. I gave the same angel that was guarding your back door the assignment
to wake you."
Marveling, once again, at the wonders of my wonderful Lord and Savior, I took my
medicine and lay back down. Later, I was able to get up and go about my day
without the horrific pain I had been experiencing in the mornings.
No, I didn't see my angel. But, he was there, guarding and protecting. And then
as a special favor tapping on that back door just like God had instructed.
Melva Cooper jmelva@cox-internet.com
Thanks to Joan Anderson Copyrighted by Joan Wester Anderson, used with
permission. Originally appeared on the Where Angels Walk website,
http://joanwanderson.com
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