The Date: October 30,
2009; 5:30 p.m. Central Standard Time
The Place: Bass Pro Shop, near
Rockwall, TX, a
suburb of Dallas
The Human
Form: Female; 34"
tall; 25 pounds; black curly hair; brown eyes.
Dear Girlfriends,
As I
mentioned in my introduction to this series, angels seem to appear when you
least expect them - and in this case, in an unlikely hangout for heavenly
beings (unless you fish): the Bass Pro Shop.
Steve and I
had joined our daughter Shauna, son-in-law Adam, and our nearly 2-year-old granddaughter
Ava to enjoy the festivities at their community Halloween carnival. To kill
time before the carnival started, we stopped in the Bass Pro Shop to allow Ava
to watch the fish swim in their oversized aquarium.
After Ava
waved bye-bye to the fish, we turned around and paused to take in the preliminary
elements of the store's Christmas installation. As we discussed the display, I
felt someone looking at me - from below. Looking down, I peered into the eyes
of a beautiful child - just staring at me, while I held Ava. I decided the
little girl wanted to "network" so I kneeled down to put Ava on the floor.
However, Ava didn't seem to notice her and started to walk away. At that moment
the angel lifted her arms for me to take her. Instinctively, I picked up the
toddler.
Typically,
I would never do this. Under normal conditions (when angels aren't involved) I
would never even ask to hold
someone's child unless it was obvious they need an extra pair of hands. But in
one fluid move, the toddler reached and wrapped her arms around my neck.
Holding her closely, I realized what I had done and immediately looked at the
child's parents (for the first time) for a visual cue of concern or
confirmation. I got neither (except from Ava who was, by now, TOTALLY aware of
the angel in our midst and was not the least bit joyful that another child was
in Sugar's arms).
Trying to
console Ava, I put the toddler on the ground next to her. That seemed to
appease Ava and she walked back to the Christmas trees; but the angel reached for
me again. And this time, I fought
back my tears.
For no
reason, whatsoever, this angel loved me. I had done nothing to deserve to her
love. I had no history with her or her parents. I was a nobody in her world. But, regardless, she loved me.
Sporting the
remnants of animal crackers on her chin and a mushy lion's costume, my angel -
without ever uttering a word, imparted in one, simple gesture in less than 60
seconds what we should never forget: we are loved for no other reason than
because we exist.
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him
will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
When family
members judge you, when friends criticize you, or when the world just seems to
be closing in - remember that you're loved just because you "are".
Thankful,
Ellen
Posted by Ellen on November 25, 2009 11:50 AM
| Category: An Angel Bombing
Thank You so much for your newest Nuggets. We lost our teen daughter in an auto accident 7 months ago and this is going to be the hardest Holiday Season we have ever been through and I just wanted you to know you touch people without even relizing it in so many ways. Thank you....
