When I was still a kid, my mother would share various stories with me. One tale that remains etched in my memory is about Jim and Ellen, along with their five children, who epitomized a joyful family. In the neighborhood, they were recognized for their affection, kindness, and helpfulness. However, everything changed when Jim lost his job.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Jim still found a way to provide for his family. He took on various odd jobs around town, like repairing cars. To help make ends meet, Ellen took in laundry from their neighbors. A few of the kids—there were eight of them—had to discontinue their education.
One day, three of Ellen’s friends came over to visit. She prepared some refreshments for them. They were enjoying laughter and conversation when suddenly, Ellen’s eldest daughter came in and informed her that there was someone outside their home wanting to speak with her.
Immediately, her friends warned Ellen: “Be cautious. Don’t engage with any man who comes begging! Now listen!”
Nevertheless, Ellen went to see the man. At the entrance, she found an elderly man with silvering hair and gentle, warm eyes. “I apologize for intruding,” he said, “but my vehicle broke down, and I am walking to town. I would be grateful if you could offer me some water and a little food, if you have anything to spare.”
Ellen was stunned and reluctant to do the right thing. She had been affected by her friends. She stood there rather than grabbing the food and water. The elderly man’s eyes locked, and after a few moments of silence, he looked away. Returning to the table, Ellen felt embarrassed, but even worse was her daughter’s disapproving gaze.
She quickly hurried out of the home to find the elderly man after grabbing a pitcher of orange juice and some bread. She discovered him standing beneath the mango tree, narrating a tale to her kids. Ellen told him to wait while she made the elderly guy a packed lunch, offering him the bread and juice. “I am sorry about the way I acted,” she remarked upon her return.
“That is all right. Too many people are swayed by others. But unlike some, you have conquered it and this speaks good for you,” the elderly guy retorted.
Jim told his wife some wonderful news that same evening. The man whose brother owned a repair shop and needed a mechanic was the owner of the vehicle he had fixed. Jim was immediately hired by him!
Later on, Ellen told Jim about the events of the afternoon. When finished, he asked, “Did you say this was an elderly man with grey hair and soft, warm eyes?” Ellen answered affirmatively.
Jim jumped out of bed and went through his wallet until he found a piece of folder paper which he handed to Ellen and said, “I met that man walking down the road when I came from town. He waved me over and gave this to me. When I finished reading it, I looked up and he was gone, just disappeared!”
See what kindness can do? “Kindness is more than deeds,” C. Neil Strait said. “It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person.”
Lao-Tzu assures: “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”
But what really struck me most about the story above was the old man. Was he an angel? The Bible states: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).
Are angels for real? My research shows that belief in angels can be found in the history of all nations. The ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks, and others all expressed their belief in angels.
A.S. Joppie, author of All About Angels, writes: “The Mohammedans believe in angels. They believe that two angels are assigned to each person. The angel on the right hand records all your good deeds. The angel on your left records all your evil deeds.”
The Hebrews taught there were four great angels. Most noted is Gabriel, who reveals the secrets of God to men. Michael, on the other hand, fights and avenges God’s foes. Raphael receives the departing spirits from the dead while Uriel will summon everybody to judgment.
The earliest archaeological evidence of angels to date appears on the stela of Ur-Nammus (2250 B.C.), and shows angels flying over the head of this king while he is in prayer.
Angels are mentioned in thirty-four books of the Bible a total of some 273 times (108 times in the Old Testament and 165 in the New Testament). Psalm 68:17 states: “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels.”
“In terms of the Bible, angels are a scary thing,” points out Rev. Dr. Alison Boden, dean of Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago. “They can come and scare the wits out of you. They change your life.”
Russell Moore, dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, agrees. “In Scripture,” he explains, “angels are fearsome. Today, they’re a New Age substitute for God.” That, he says, is dangerous.
“At no time should an angel or angels be worshiped!” declares Robert Strand, author of 365 Moments to Cherish. “The Bible is very clear that only God is to be worshiped. Second, we are not to pray to angels. You might ask God for help in an emergency, but we are never to pray to angels.”
