Angels Are Truly Among Us

I know that angels exist. I believe angels are truly among us. I have seen them and experienced them on several levels. I would like to share a one of those with you. This time is most predominant in my mind as I write this today. In Psalms 91:11 the bible tells us, "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." I was very aware of this a few short weeks ago, when my son passed through the Joplin, MO area, miraculously protected, I stood on the back deck of my mother's home praying for God's divine protection for him. I prayed for God to place angels around my child and protect him. I wrote about it in the hub article, found at http://hubpages.com/hub/Life-One-Month-After-an-EF5-in-Joplin-MO , but that is another story. I want to share what happened just 48 short hours after that tornado as we awaited yet another potential tornado on its heels.

Throughout the days following the horrific tornado that struck Joplin on May 22, 2011 everyone existed in a relative state of shock. We had experienced a devastating EF5 tornado. Our town, a bustling business and residential area was literally wiped off the map! What's more...we were warned that there could be more! We had experienced repeated cautions and warnings that the atmosphere was still unstable and we needed to be aware and cautious of the weather and the potential of additional tornadoes. We had several tornado warnings, which means a trained weather spotter or the radar indicateds that there is rotation in a storm. Rotation is the stage where the storm is beginning to take on the form of a tornado. We were not going to risk taking a chance as we might have before, we reacted quickly and efficiently EVERY time. People had formed a plan on what to do. Stores and families finally took the initiative and finally knew what to do and where to go for safety. They watched the weather and paid attention. We now do as we are told.

On the night of the 24th of May, I listened to the weatherman tell us that there was rotation in the clouds over the northern end of town. This was the only part that was untouched by the tornado days earlier. I walked out the front door of my mother's home (we always go there to make sure my elderly parents are aware and cared for) and watched the lightning light up the sky. I wondered if there was a tornado visible, but was amazed at the huge spidering webs that the lightning was creating! I attempted to take a photo with my cell phone, but we all know how the time delay on cell phone cameras work. Lightning does not allow for that lapse! It was useless, so I took one last photo and walked indoors. I stopped and looked at the last photo I had taken. It was odd. Instead of a jagged slice in the clouds, there was a straight almost beam-like flash and at the top end of it, I was amazed at the image of an angel watching over us! I was flooded with a complete sense of peace in my heart and mind. I was reminded of the scripture above and knew without a doubt that God was in control and he had given the angels charge over us to guard us. I immediately showed it to my parents and husband. It wasn't just me, they could see it too! It gave us peace and comfort that we had not experienced of the few days previously. The reminder of the angel's guard allowed us to rest in God's assurance. The tornado never touched down that night. It dissipated. I wasn't surprised.

Photo and Text Copyright 2011 Deborah M. Carey