ANGELS WATCHING OVER ME

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 128

Do you ever wonder if you have a guardian angel—or maybe even a whole security detail?

Scripture seems to back up the idea that we do. Now, I know I’m starting tonight’s blog a little differently than usual, but just hang with me for a second. There’s a point to this theology lesson, I promise.

One day, Jesus was surrounded by a massive crowd, and a bunch of parents were asking Him to bless their kids. For whatever reason, a few of the disciples got their undies in a bunch about it. In Matthew’s account, these future apostles—ever the humble servants—were busy arguing about who was going to be the "Greatest" in God’s kingdom.

Jesus, never one to mince words, shut that down fast. He told them point-blank: if you want to get in, you’d better start acting like these kids. Hear it from the Man Himself:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a small child and had him stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me."

Jesus didn't stop there. About a minute later, He dropped this stunning truth bomb:

“See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven.” — MT 18:10, HCSB

"Their angels." Did you catch that? That’s a plurality of angels. For each kid.

Now, we should probably ditch the cartoon image of angels sitting in our passenger seats. Jesus said these angels are "in heaven," viewing the Father's face. But being the inquisitive (read: annoying) type, I have to ask: where does the veil between heaven and earth begin and end? Jesus didn’t say. And if children have an angelic detail watching over them, do those angels get reassigned when the kids hit puberty? Or do they stick with us through the entirety of our lives?

I’m leaning toward the latter. Here’s why.

Today, I had a meeting in Mankato with another pastor to talk shop. After the meeting, I hit a few other spots on church business and eventually started the trek back home. Of course, I took the "long way" home so I could detour through Nicollet. See, I "needed" some bacon from Schmidt’s. And by "needed," I mean it was a spiritual emergency.

I managed to escape the meat market for less than $100 (a minor miracle in itself) and headed out of town. But then, my brain decided to take a coffee break right at the town’s biggest intersection.

In my mind, that intersection should be a four-way stop. It is not. Being a balding old fart—and a blonde one at that—my noggin short-circuited. I started to turn left, completely oblivious to the massive "pick-em-up" truck barreling toward me.

He didn't have a stop sign. He had the right-of-way and a whole lot of momentum. Thank the good Lord above, he slammed on his brakes and came to a screeching, smoking halt. If he hadn't, he would have pancaked us both into the next county.

He gave me a look that could melt paint, followed by what I’ll call "the one-way sign.” Honestly? I can’t blame him. I probably would have given myself the same.

My heart rate went from a cool 70 to a hummingbird-style 130 in a split second. It was a genuine "Holy blankety-blank" moment. I immediately went into crisis mode: "Father, forgive me, for I have clearly sinned... and I’m an idiot." I audibly thanked God the Father and His Son for keeping me safe from that Ford F-350, which was doing a solid 45 mph in a 30-mph zone. (I digress, but hey, I wasn't the only one breaking rules today).

For the rest of the drive to New Ulm, I couldn't stop thinking about those angels. Interestingly, as I was processing the adrenaline, I heard a whisper in my heart: "It’s not your time yet; you have too much work left to do."

Where did that come from? Was it God? It wasn't an audible voice, but it was a thought that felt... "other."

Now, I’m fairly certain Michael Landon, Della Reese, and Roma Downey weren't riding in my backseat. But were there real angels—guardians from that otherworldly dimension we call heaven—standing in the gap for me? I think, perhaps.

I’ve had other close encounters in my life, and each time, I’m convinced that without a veiled angel or a bit of divine intervention, I wouldn’t be here to write this.

Whether it was just a very attentive truck driver, a guardian angel, or a bit of both working in tandem, I’m just thankful to be home in one piece. I am "uber-thankful" that God has His angels watching over us humans... especially when we’re being particularly “less than smart.”

So, THANK YOU, God, for keeping this old fart on the green side of the grass for another day. Keep us all safe and protected so we can finish the work You’ve given us to do—until You finally decide otherwise.