Angels
“During
the night, angels stared down through the stars into Jacob's world.
They watched him sleep. They commented on the way his body folded on
the bed. They liked this man. They drew their wings over him and
stood guard by his soul.”
Noah
BenShea
At this moment, two of my
friends are at M.D. Anderson in Houston to find out what sort of
cancer is plaguing one of them, and whether or not there is treatment
for it. Another friend is sitting by the bedside of her niece, who is
dieing. Nightly, I watch the news of the absolute devastation of
Mexico Beach, and the incredible floods in Texas that are sweeping
away bridges and human beings. There is so much sadness in this world
that none of us has any control over. The only thing we can provide
is compassion, and at times, that feels in short supply.
It's comforting to know
that we do indeed have guardian angels. Before you label me a kook,
let me just say that there are few archetypes that have been around
as long, or have been as entrenched in our legends and myths than
angels. If I asked you to describe your guardian angel, you would
have no trouble doing so. We know they're there, because now and
then, they intercede for us, to help, warn and protect. Sometimes an
answer will come to us out of the blue, a solution to a problem will
arrive in a dream, or in an unexpected announcement. Our angels work
behind the scenes—we are their assignments.
There must be days when
our angels slap their heads and marvel at our stupidity. Our
ignorance and the way we treat one another must cause them grief. But
they do not abandon us even so. Their job is to guide our souls
through this earth passage, with all its joys and sorrows, and to
help us see the light whenever possible. We don't have to believe in
them, but it helps. Just as we have soul-work to do, they do as well.
So, those of you who are
traveling dark-night journeys right now, who can say with Simon
Peter, “we have toiled all night and taken nothing,” (Luke 8:45)
can be comforted in this moment knowing that you are surrounded by
angels, who cover you with their wings and guard your soul.
In the Spirit,
Jane
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