Angels with Chainsaws

Katie called me a few minutes ago, breathlessly excited to share what had just happened. First, a little context: Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina almost two months ago. I was there. God had protected me so that for me and my family, the devastation amounted to an inconvenience[1]. I know Katie from church in Hillsborough, about four hours from Asheville. Katie has a house in a small town in Mitchell County. She wasn’t there during the hurricane and in fact didn’t go to see the aftermath until over a month later. There were a lot of downed trees on her property and the pipe from the cistern had been wrenched right out of the wall. She spent the weekend doing cleanup and repairs, but wondered what she was going to do about the trees. She doesn’t have a chainsaw. And even if she did, she’s not strong enough to move fallen trees by herself. It was clear that she’s going to need help. She decided to pray about it and turn her attention to more immediately pressing matters.

Meanwhile, back in Hillsborough she told me about the property, the damage, her repair efforts and the trees. Now, back to a few minutes ago: Katie called and told me that her mountain home neighbor called. He said that a crew of big muscly men stopped at his house looking for number 153. He directed them to Katie’s house where they got to work clearing out the downed trees. Later he realized that he didn’t know what number Katie’s house was, so he called Katie. She confirmed that she’s not in number 153, and she doesn’t know who that would be. In any case, by that time, the crew was done and gone.

“So, do you think they were angels?” Katie asked me. I said that they certainly could have been. You never know how God is going to answer a prayer. Sometimes He sends angels and they roll up their sleeves, ready to work on your behalf[2].


[1] That’s not to say that people who suffered the devastation are any less godly. God protects some for a purpose and lets other godly people suffer. His thoughts and ways are far higher than mine.

[2] It’s fine to ask God to send an angel to help you (after all they are ministering spirits sent to help those who are being saved, Hebrews 1:14). But never, ever go directly to angels for help. That’s an invitation for the wrong kind of angels and you don’t need that kind of mess in your life.

Comments

  1. Thomas MillerNovember 19, 2024 at 2:39 AM

    Al this story is phenomenal! God does work in very mysterious ways! I totally believe in angels as I have met many even while I was in my addiction and now more than ever ! Your an angel in my life Alb! God Bless you

    ReplyDelete

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