Devotionals
Hebrews 13:2
KJV - Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
NIV - Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
I knew one day I would write about this encounter, but as you will see, it is not a story to relate casually, lest people think you are crazy. About this time 25 years ago, I was running broke in the Philippines. I had been overseas for more than a year and visited many countries in Asia. I was living by my wits when the reality of my penury left me with only broken dreams of returning home with some great achievement and treasure to show for my wanderlust.
I sought solitude among the millions crammed into Manila Bay and was aimlessly roaming the streets. I passed down an alley when a woman with a guitar case was leaving a small shop. Our eyes met and for some reason we connected instantly. She said she was missionary of some kind and I invited her to a nearby cafe where she had a coke and I had beer.
We talked for hours and there was something about her that penetrated my soul. She seemed to know everything about me. It was really quite astonishing, and despite having seen every scam known to man, there was something uncannily genuine about her words. How could she know such things!?
Among the most important things she said were,"God has a wonderful plan for your life. You are right where God wants you to be." I cannot really explain the effect our conversation had on me, other than to say that when we parted I was literally tingling with joy, although my circumstances had not changed. I traveled back to my home on Del Pilar Street, more than an hour and a half away, and lay in bed reveling in the things she said. I prayed to God earnestly for loving me so much and felt a sense of peace I had not felt in a very long time.
The next day, I went back to thank her for lifting my spirits so much, but the shop where we had met was closed and abandoned. The windows and floor were covered with dust. I went to the cafe not even 50 feet away and spoke to the very man who had served us the drinks that previous evening.
"Do you know the lady who works in that shop? She's very short and had a guitar case."
He responded that he did not know such a lady and that shop had been closed for months.
I reiterated that we had been in his cafe only hours earlier. I walked to the very table where we sat.
"We sat here, I had beer and she had a Coke, we sat here for hours."
as I recounted a number of details, Don't you remember? You served us."
He said," Of course I remember you, but you were by yourself."
I have never been able to explain that encounter, nor its effect on me. As I have passed from a reckless young man to a middle aged, happily married father of four, I still tingle when I ponder that every blessing she told me about came to fruition. That I would come to God because He called me, and that I would find love and His purpose for my life was truly wonderful. That is why I have no doubt His joy that is still to come.
I cannot explain who this woman was, if indeed she was a woman. I do know that "angel" means messenger and she brought me a wonderful message. To this day, when I feebly attempt to tell someone about the Lord, I say,"God has a wonderful plan for your life." Because I know it is true.
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What a fascinating and amazing experience you had. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
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