AN ANGEL WATCHING OVER ME
Years ago, when my boys were young, we went through a season where they were plagued by bad dreams. In my desire to comfort them, I remembered a sweet prayer my mother taught me when I was a little girl -
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
In quiet moments I can still hear her voice comforting me - passing on to me something her mother taught her for moments of fear and dread. This memory led to other memories of what I learned as a child about guardian angels and how we walk in their protection even when we are unaware. Psalm 91:11&12, For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
Out of the mists of my earliest Sunday school memories, a beautiful picture of an angel watching over children came to mind. I hurried out to a local Christian bookstore and there I found it - just as I had remembered - a picture of a majestic angel watching over children walking on a bridge over a dark and menacing precipice.
I could hardly wait to get the picture home and hang it in the boy's bedroom - a visual reminder of a deeply comforting truth. It seemed to me that almost immediately there was a kind of peace that descended upon their night terrors.
Today, I have an angel figure sitting on my bedside table near my bed. It is carved out of wood - a beautiful product I stumbled on one day while wandering through the gifts section at A.J.'s. I fell in love with it that very moment, bought it, and brought it home where it has stayed by my side to comfort me now for several years. It reminds me of these tender lines from a poignant poem, My angel ever at my side, how lovely you must be - To leave your home in heaven, to guard someone like me.
I woke up this morning grateful once again for the reminder that God is watching over every detail of my life and that in some mysterious way - angels have been given charge over me. It comforts me to know that in this season of instability the Word of the Lord stands forever secure.
Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His word... Psalm 103:20
Oh the peace of knowing that God is in control, that His angels circle all around me, that they are constantly doing His bidding, and that when I need it - He sends one of His special messengers to speak to me of His love - to remind me of His care - to gently whisper comforting truths in my ear all through the dark and lonely night!
