“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.  They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Psalms 91:11-12

 

Today I am working on an outline for a chapter for an anthology written by a small group of women warriors.  We all have different stories to tell of trials and triumphs, both within and outside of the military.  I don’t know what the other girls are writing about, but I knew which story I wanted to tell as soon as I was asked to contribute; it’s a story that set up camp in my heart more than five years ago.  (Gosh! Has it been that long since I was last in Iraq?!)

I begin my chapter with the Psalm above…and the telling of my story takes me to a deep and DARK place.  Although my chapter will detail the worst several months of my life, and today I could toe the line, peer over the ledge, then hurl myself into a craggy canyon of anguish, I’m choosing not to go there.  I choose not to transport myself back into that place of bone crunching sadness and be suffocated by the remembrance of bitter betrayal by an organization I trusted and people I loved.  Despite my previous two sentences, though, it is not all doom and gloom (I swear ;-p).  There is a bright side to the tale because it is always darkest before the dawn, and this part of my story reminds me to be grateful and to smile at the light.  I realize that the painful events set the stage for a beautiful rescue mission orchestrated by the One and only Himself.  My faith assures me that I was lifted forth from my personal Hell hole by two real-life angels, and I have wanted to tell their story, to sing their praises, to let their love live on, for so very long.  This chapter I will write, and the book in which it will live, is my chance to do their story justice; and I take great honor in detailing the courage of two Navy doctors who did the right thing when no one else would.

Moreover, this is a chance to say to those of you reading today, 1. Be open to receiving the help and love of the “angels” in your life, 2. Be grateful for your angels that come from unexpected places, and to ask, 3. Are you called be someone’s angel today, this week, this month?

I have had many angels in my life, actually.  People who have been Divinely, perfectly placed in my path to guide me, save me, comfort me and more.  I am thankful for those incredible people far beyond the expression that words alone allow.

If this resonates with you, please share your thoughts below about an angel in your life, or how you have been an angel to someone else.  Or consider simply sharing this short post with one of those special people to let them know what they mean to you.

…Because we could all use a little saving sometimes, couldn’t we?

With a heart full of love <3
Sarah