Angels Among Us

A friend puts it beautifully – sometimes, God wears skin suits. 

He does indeed – we encounter God in other people.  And what a blessing it can be.

These encounters can take many forms.  Presence and fellowship in a time of pain or grief.  Shared joy – indeed, joy cries out to be shared and seems incomplete if it is not.  Although not always appreciated at the time, the right words, the right prompt, even the right correction.  Others are so very frequently actors for God in our lives. 

Every occurrence of it that we’re lucky enough to recognize is a blessing.  I fear that we don’t recognize it so many times.  But I have come to treasure the warming of my heart when something in the course of my day answers questions I’ve been putting to God. 

In receiving the Eucharist, we are taking God into ourselves, and pledging to seek and find God in others.   Of course, there are some people placed in our lives in whom God isn’t quite as visible – we have to work a bit harder to find that reflection, to find that whisper of God’s presence.  But it is there.

On the other hand, there are some in whom it is much more apparent.  In my experience, these are likely to be among the most humble of people – those that are the least likely to be trying to show you how clearly God is working in their lives and present in their hearts.  His presence is shown in their actions and in their bearing.

I spend more time than I should at our local grocery store with the combination of a hungry family and poor planning.  About 18 months ago, Melynda started there.  We would chat as I checked out, and she had a positive energy and warmth that was impossible not to be touched by.  Quickly, I found myself scanning available checkers to see if she was working and always get in her line.  I suspect I was not the only one who did so.  I would watch as the shoppers in line ahead of me waited with shoulders hunched, feet tapping – the typical frustration we feel at waiting in line.  One by one, and without fail, Melynda would engage with each person, and I would watch as their shoulders lifted, their faces lightened, and they left in clearly better moods than they’d arrived in.

Every single person I have watched interact with Melynda seems to leave happier than they arrived.  Think of that.  She encounters hundreds of folks each day – each one their own universe, with their own daily challenges.  And each one, she lifts up.  I can’t imagine the ripple effect she is having on our community and beyond.  She’s a one lady tsunami of grace. 

She also captures a part of how God moves that I have both fascination and frustration over.  Her actions are so subtle that it’s hard to put a finger on what you see happening.  It’s not radical behavior.  It’s kindness and warmth.  The presence of God that I encounter has never been of the burning bush variety.  They are small moments, easily missed.  But they give great grace when seen and acknowledged.  You feel God’s grace, you don’t see it. 

And that is what it comes down to, ultimately.  We are tasked with seeing God in others.  Each of us knows how very difficult this can be at times.  But there are angels amongst us that not only see the divine in the other but draw it forth.  This is such an incredible power, and one we can all strive for.