“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go.”  Psalm 32:8

“Jesus said, ‘Follow me!’”  John 21:22

A story I heard awhile back:  A man, careless, driving too fast for conditions, approached a man wearing a clerical collar standing by the roadside, waving his arms, shouting, “Turn around and be saved!”  The driver sped past, muttering “goody, goody Bible banger”, soon spilling into a road washout, missing the sign warning “BRIDGE OUT”!

Like the man in the story, there are several reasons we miss our angels.  We are in a hurry.  Oblivious to the dangers around us, we miss signs, make hasty decisions, bad choices.  We feel we can take care of ourselves.  Even when we know we need help, we don’t want to ask.  “Nobody tells me what to do.”  “I’ve got this.”  “Mind your own business.”

We take for granted those who care about our welfare …  parents, teachers, and friends who offer encouragement and comfort, and caring advice.  We simply don’t see that God is guiding us through others, even a stranger along the road speaking a kind word, extending a hand we can hold onto, who will walk along beside us.

We ignore Scripture and the instruction written there.  Jesus told stories.  They taught us to be generous; to befriend strangers; to love one another. They are old stories, but they still show us the way.

Dear Lord, thank you for those who have loved and nurtured us throughout our lives, and still do.  Help us recognize when we need help, to ask, and to humbly and gratefully accept it; and to recognize when others need help, and to gladly offer it.  Amen

Verla Olson

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party