In order to accept the basic tenets of the Christian faith, one has to believe in forces we cannot see. It does surprise me how many belief systems very easily accept that there is more out there, but seem to prefer the vague and even creepy ideas to a God Who would do anything to show you His love. But, I suppose people have had a fantastic way of twisting His message with religion for so long that it’s hard to see through the man-made rules and systems to the beautiful simplicity that it really is.

When I was little, a Reader’s Digest and often a Guideposts magazine sat on the back of the toilet for our reading pleasure. I always went straight for the funny jokes in RD and the miracle stories in Guideposts. Because I was the kid who wanted the fire insurance I heard about in Sunday School. The joke is that they scared the hell out of me! So I said the right words, and then fell asleep saying even more. And my biggest wish was to see a real, live miracle. I asked every day. I remember saying, “God, if you would just do one miracle for me, I will always believe.” But I was in denominations that didn’t really go for that kind of thing so I wasn’t going to find it that way, and it certainly wasn’t the kind of thing I talked about at home.

While little Alison was begging and reciting and confessing to cover all the bases, little Christian was experiencing miracles in his world. He was quite allergic to cats. Until he was prayed for and his cat allergy disappeared. He has been just fine around cats since. He also had a burst and about-to-burst eardrum and was prayed for. The plan was to graft skin and by the time he got to pre-surgery, there was complete healing in his ears. This is stuff you just cannot deny.

I found myself reading stories the other day — folks’ accounts of experiences they’ve had with angels. They are undeniable. There are just angels among us — this is a Biblical fact — and sometimes the veil between the physical and the spiritual realms is thin, and we get to see what is happening in ways we are typically unaware.

I want to tell you a neat story — probably my favorite from our grand RV trip.

As we traversed the country, we headed north from Mississippi up to and then west through the Dakotas. Somewhere in North Dakota, late at night, our engine made a new (and not good sound). It continued as we made our way all the way through our stops in many states and by the time we got to Oregon, our Ford engine stopped working while we were at a VERY remote gas station. This was the kind you see in movies where you’ve been driving along a long, flat landscape for quite some time and were happy to find a place to fuel up because it will be a long time until there is another. We didn’t have another vehicle in our possession so when we broke down, we were the most stuck — five of us and our dog. So just imagine the sinking dread when we realized not only were we stuck, but we had no options. In Oregon, you didn’t pump your own gas; state law said that an attendant did that for you. When our attendant came out, we asked if he knew any place we could get help. He didn’t. There was nothing nearby.

But then, he said, “Ya know, my dad might be able to help. Let me give him a call.” Awhile later, Dave showed up. Dave approached with a smile and a handshake and mentioned that he had worked in a Ford garage his whole career. He would be happy to help. You see, Dave had awakened that day with no money with which to fill his car’s gas tank. He had asked God to put him where he needed to be that day — knowing God would have to provide the opportunity and the gas money. We had some cash that we had saved to bless someone with.

Dave had a financial need and a particular skill with Fords. We had a broken Ford at a gas station and the cash to bless Dave.

Turns out, Dave and his wife had sold everything to go where God had asked them and work in an inner city with folks no one else wanted to be around. They lived humbly on gifts and generosity — trusting God and not actively seeking out help. We spent the day with him as he acquired the parts we would need to get the problem that we had faced since North Dakota repaired once and for all. We were immensely blessed to our core to hear his stories, and be even a tiny part of it. Our faith was renewed.

We have more stories, but this one always jumps first to my mind. What stories do you have? Have you seen an angel? Had a moment that you KNEW something happened that was beyond your understanding? Would you share? I know these stories just build me and my faith every time I read them. I guarantee someone needs to know what you’ve seen.

Psalm 91: 11-13 — God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go,
defending you from all harm.
 If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you
and keep you from stumbling.
You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness,
trampling every one of them beneath your feet!