Angels

Every other Monday, I have a devotional with a bunch of sweet friends, a couple of weeks ago Drew shared the devotional she had written for a book that was made in 2001 for our church during the Advent season~it really was a sweet devotional that touched me and I wanted to share it with all of you! Kathleen who is mentioned in the devotional is the big sister of one of Davis' best buddies, Banks, which makes it even sweeter! Enjoy!

     I do not think anyone can think of Christmas without a thought of angels. Many of us decorate our homes at Christmas time with beautiful angels. Most everyone knows the role of the Angel of the Lord annnouncing the birth of God's son Jesus Christ in the Christmas story. In Luke 2:10-11 we read, "But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord."
     Although angels are especially empasized at Christmas, the Bible tells us that angels are with us daily. Psalm 91:11 says, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all his ways."
     I have always been a believer that God sends his angels to guard us, and I have seen proof of this in the life of my neice Kathleen. Kathleen is a special child who has Down syndrome. She is the heart of love in our family. Kathleen is 4 years old now, but when she was little we always noticed somehting puzzling when we were attempting to rock her to sleep. Unlike most babies who fall sound to sleep after rocking them, Kathleen would become alert and begin babbling when we begain rocking her. She would look over the top of the rocking chair and laugh and giggle. She would peek around the side of the chair and reach out like she was reaching for someone and talking to them. She did this just about every time we rocked her. It didn't just happen in one certain rocking chair, it happened wherever we rocked her.
     About a year ago, Kathleen's mom read an article about a little boy with Down syndrome. The boy is older now, and it told of him telling his mother things he remembered from when he was small. He told his mother that when she would rock him to sleep, he saw angels behind the rocking chair. We immediatley knew that angels were whom Kathleen was laughing with and talking to when we rocked her.
     Isn't it comforting to know that God sends His angels down to protect us every day! The word angel actually means "messenger servant". I think it is so exciting to know that angels are God's messenger servants sent to serve Christians. They work for God as his "little helpers" to guide us and comfort us in our daily lives.
     This Christmas, as angels surround our homes as decoration, let it be a reminder that God sends his angels to surround us every day. We are not alone. There is no situation that God gives us, that He will not help us handle. We need to remember to lift up our worries to Him and, through the Holy Spirit, he will send His angels to help us.
     Just as God sends angels to Kathleen, we feel that Kathleen is our "angel in disguise". Her life is such a blessing to us, and she has strengthened our family and taught us so much. Kathleen exemplifies the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. She has shown us the importance of showing patience and understanding, laughing easily, and running the race set before us with joy.  We are so thankful for our angel!
     We have no doubt now when we see Kathleen motion for someone to come play with her and she sits in the corner and laughs and talks to someone we can't see that she is talking to one of God's angels who was sent to protect her
     May God and His angels bless and protect you and your family this Holiday season.
                                                                                                               ~Drew