A Real Angel

Sometimes a news article reports that someone saw the vision of an angel—in the clouds, smoke, shadows —you’ve seen the reports. But something happened to me years ago I’ve never forgotten. I was traveling after midnight, on a very cold snowy interstate highway, in a VW bug. There were scarce cars to be seen on the road because of the snow and ice. I was driving someone else’s car because VW’s were known to perform well in those conditions. When we were about half way to our destination, miles between towns, we had a blowout. I pulled over to begin the incredible ordeal of changing the tire. Let me explain. First, my aptitude for anything mechanical is a minus 3, and the girl with me had never changed a tire. Second, I discovered VW’s were different from all other American cars—different storage place for the spare, and totally different bolt system to replace a tire. Third, it was below freezing—in the teens, with a strong wind. And fourth, it was totally dark. I had no flashlight. I had to locate the spare, jack and tools, then figure out the bolt system by touch. This required numerous trips back and forth into the heated car to warm my gloveless hands and stop my uncontrollable shaking. Each time back in the car, I took longer to warm up. I was not making progress, not sure if my numb fingers could ever feel to get the tire bolts lined up in the dark. Not one car had passed in all the time I had been working. Finally, out of nowhere, a truck approached from behind and pulled over, shining his headlights on the tire as if that was his destination. It allowed me, at last, to complete the job. I tightened the last bolt, turned and started walking back toward the truck to see who had come to my rescue and offer my grateful thanks. But instantly, to my amazement, the truck quickly moved out, went on down the road, and was gone. Whenever I read the passage in Hebrews— “some have entertained angels unaware” …… I remember that night.