There’s a country song entitled “Angels Among Us.” It was performed by the country music group Alabama and released in 1993, when I was about 11-years-old.
I was still young and had much to learn about theology and understanding the messages my pastor preached each Sunday, so I was unsure of how this “angel” thing worked until I reached junior high.
On June 3, 1996, when I was 13-years-old, I volunteered to be an assistant for the first time during vacation Bible church at our church in Diamondhead. I worked with the toddlers and had a great first day.
After the program ended, a friend of mine rode her dad’s golf cart to the church. She asked if we wanted to ride. So I did.
However, what I should have realized was that the back of golf carts are meant for bags containing golf clubs, not 13-year-old girls.
In what seemed like a matter of seconds, I was thrown from the golf cart and hit my head on the pavement, which resulted in my first concussion.
I remember it hurting quite badly, but I also remember a stranger’s face. He helped me up, rubbed my back and asked me how I felt.
Soon after, my mom, pastor and friends surrounded me, yet there was no sign of my “angel,” who helped me.
Yes, I believe he was maybe there to calm my fears and let me know I would be all right. No one else saw him or remembers him, but I do.
Sometimes, angels aren’t strangers; they are our friends, family members, caregivers or volunteers.
I’ve met some of the girls at Teen Challenge in Poplarville and I’m pretty sure they might feel the staff there are “angels” for helping them overcome their addictions.
Since my accident, I’ve met many real life angels and I do believe they are among us every day.
“When life held troubled time and had me down on my knees, there’s always been someone, to come along and comfort me. A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand, a phone call from a friend, just to say I understand. But ain’t it kind of funny, at the dark end of the road, that someone lights the way, with just a single ray of hope.” –– from Angels Among Us.