Can’t sleep, so I stepped outside for a bit.
There is a cat out there in the dark, yowling like a baby.
The object of his affection is obviously locked up safely in a house.
He is mournful, loud, filled with too much longing, and he sounds creepy.
I’d like to go over and crack his little skull open and put him out of his misery.
Ah, spring.
Looking back…looking forward is looking forward to coming home to Canada with Rowan. Richard and Shannon are still in China waiting for the final paperwork from the Canadian embassy.
I wish I could be at the airport.
We’ve never met, but it would be nice to be there. I wouldn’t wish to speak to them, or be seen. I suspect they will have a crowd of well-wishers waiting for them.
I just want to see this new family get off the plane and take the last leg of a very long journey and the beginning of a new one.
That got me thinking about angels.
At a very dangerous time of my life I heard someone ask,
“What is the name of your guardian angel?”
It’s kind of a non-question, but it intrigued me. Not because I’m into the new-age angel worship and romanticization, but because angels have very specific responsibilities. When they show up as angels to people in the bible they wind up saying, “Don’t be afraid.”
If I ever saw an angel being an angel, I’d be really afraid.
As nice as medieval paintings are, I don’t think you can really capture light.
I don’t know why we would worship a creation that comes from the Creator, but many people do. It’s a shame. One job angels are given is to guard and protect.
During that time in my life I had reason to be afraid, for I was under threat.
So, to ease my own mind, I ‘personified’ guardian angels.
I imagined there were four of them at the four corners of my home. That way they could see all the doors and windows. They were tall, anticipatory and alert. 24/7 types.
I gave ‘the guys’ ordinary names like Ed and Mike. They weren’t really male, angels are bigger than gender, but the personification worked nicely for the circumstances. They didn’t need any security paraphernalia, they were security.
Very Canadian of them.
I imagined they wore Dockers, ironed blue jeans, loosened ties, and their sleeves were rolled up. They leaned against the building chatting with each other. Crisp yet casual. When I left the house, they fell into step. When I drove, they flew right along side.
When I prayed they fell silent, present, yet more present in the throne room of mercy, listening beyond my halting words to instructions from my Father.
And I imagined that when I praised God, they joined right in, with all kinds of harmony. They shone and whooped in joy. The guys knew all the words and notes that I didn’t.
I imagined they took their job very seriously and guarded me with delight.
And since angels can operate outside or inside time and space I knew that my puny thoughts and imagination held little truth to the great, great reality of God’s love.
Four culturally correct angels for that season in my life.
I felt quite rich!
God speed, Richard, Shannon and Rowan.
I can’t be there at Pearson International when you bring your little angel home -so I pray that He order His angels to guard you wherever you go.
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I really, really like your angels! I haven’t ever sat down and pictured mine, and perhaps I should. Maybe I’ve run into one without even knowing it…
Richard, Shannon and Rowan’s story is amazing. So many miracles. I pray peace and happiness for them as they make their way home.
I’m hoping that cat has a guardian angel.
Hi, Bene!
Thanks for the prayers. We got the paperwork tonight.
Now we just have to survive the plane trip… and get through customs and immigration!
(By the way.. I think the names of the angels following us are “Surely, Goodness and Mercy”… you know… “Surely, Goodness and Mercy will follow me all the days of my life - and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” *happy dance*
Blessings and peace - Richard
Darryl:
That cat doesn’t need a guardian angel - it has nine lives.
Marvelous depiction of guardian angels, Bene! Marvelous indeed.
I think I shall have to look out for mine as C and I get closer to going to Viet Nam.
Richard:
Your joy is contagious, reaching us from the other side of the world.
Silly side note re: your angel - Surely. Don’t suppose a la the movie Airport that Surely will get miffed and say, “Stop calling me Shirley.”:^)
Be safe and blog on!
Doug:
I’ve no doubt you’ll have as many as you need.
As you make that journey toward Viet Nam I think we can safely pray that God will open your eyes to His protection and love for you. Do let us know too:^)
What a peaceful blog to visit this late at night.
I’m so busy with the saints that I forgot about the angels.
I spent some time in Mexico not so long ago and the worship of lesser identities in the Christian religion was quite prevalent there, particularly amongst the underclasses. It almost seemed that the Christian hierachy had been used/adapted to reflect the stratafication of the human society.
It seemed that the peasants found Christ to great for their humble needs and that an angel was more in keeping with the status that they held within the society.
Everyone takes from religion what is right for them, for these individuals an angel was was just the thing.
Bene,
that’s a lovely picture of the angels, and I loved Richard’s comment too. I’ve been following his story and can feel the absolute joy and thankfulness coming through loud and clear. I’ll probably never meet him in person, but I’m just thrilled for them all.
Shalom,
Jan