Memorial Box Monday – Entertaining Angels?

There was such an amazingly wonderful response to Memorial Box Monday and I am so excited it’s Memorial Box time again. Thank you for being patient with me as I spent almost 9 hours at Children’s in Denver yesterday. I will write more about Jubilee and what we found out at another time – for now it’s time to remember…
Remember God’s faithfulness…..
Remember His power…….
Remember His word……..
Remember His healing……
Remember that His ways are not our ways…
Remember that sometimes He even sends ministering angels to us from time to time…..

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Hebrews 13:2 nlt

This Memorial Box Monday I have a really fun story to share. Something happened this past week-end {that I will write about soon} and it reminded me of this story….so I just knew today was the day to share it!

Scripture tells us in Hebrews that sometimes we entertain angels unaware…..and that seems to be what we think happened many, many years ago. It was 1982. Dw had finished law school, was working as a newbie lawyer and I was a stay-at-home-wife. We were longing for children and were in the midst of our Korean adoption. We were also heavily involved in our church. Dw served as an elder position and I served as the director of our Pioneer Girl {now Pioneer Club} program.

We had just purchased our first home. It was the sweet little cape cod style kind – our bedroom was on the first floor next to the bathroom and upstairs were two big bedrooms. We loved opening our home to people and if there were traveling singing groups for our church passing thru or people attending conferences at our church we willing opened our home to them – sometimes six or eight at a time. We loved sharing what God had given us with others!

One Sunday we went to church and the minute our pastor saw us he pulled us aside and told us of a need. There had a been a family driving through our town looking for work. The dad had been unable to find a job, they had no money and they had no where to stay. They had even slept in their car. Immediately our hearts were stirred. We could not imagine having to sleep in a car with your children because there was no money for a hotel room.

Dw and I prayed together right there. “Lord should we open our home?” The couple who had brought this family to our church we didn’t know at all, they were also visiting our church. We didn’t know the family who was homeless either. We saw the homeless family from a distance because our pastor had pointed them out. The dad was wearing a suit. The mom was in a dress. There were about 4 kids with them, all of them little.

Really, we kind of felt silly even praying about it…….but we were still learning that when there is a need, you really don’t have to pray about meeting it. God just really likes a “yes” from us when we see a need. Anyway, we had two big rooms and we loved having people stay with us…….we had peace as we prayed……and it sounded perfect – using our blessings (the house) to share with others.

We went to our pastor, who had told us of the need to begin with, and told him that we would like them to come stay with us. We never met the family that morning. The church was pretty large and as I remember it, the service was starting as we said, “yes” so we just went in to worship.

After church someone told us that the family was going to picnic with the family who had brought them in the first place and so they would meet up with them that evening at the Sunday night service.

We spent the afternoon getting the house ready. We were really excited – even though we hadn’t even met them yet!

Now I have to do a little disclaimer before I go on with the story: Please remember this was 30 years ago. I was a whopping 21 and Dw was 24. We were rather ‘innocent’ to the world in most ways. And in those days tattoos were not a common occurrence in our circles. Now, 30 years later our oldest daughters have tattoos and Tyler says he getting one when we gets home from his depl*yment. Trust me, we have seen a whole bunch more of life since that day!

Anyway, that night we went back to church for the evening service. Immediately upon setting foot inside the building a fellow elder came to us, pulled us aside and said, “I think you should reconsider bringing that family home with you.”

Huh?

He motioned with his head and eyes……. there, across the room, was the family standing on the opposite side of the foyer. Instead of a suit the dad now had on a leather vest, BARE chest {not even joking – completely bare!}, tattoos all over his exposed body and giant chains hanging from his belt loops. I am sure our eyes got really wide. Whoooooaaaa…..

The mom, who had been in a Sunday dress in the morning, now was also sporting a leather vest and jeans. (Her chest was not bare – lol.) But really, they couldn’t have looked more opposite. Even to this day, I shake my head…..such a contrast – – -we were completely dumbfounded. Plus, in our very conservative church this couple had just blended in with the morning service, but this evening in their different attire – wow! They looked “a little rough” to say the least and they had created quite a stir this evening. This conservative church in this suburban location was just not used to it. {The church we pastor now – totally different story I am thankful to say.}

Anyway, the elder was very serious. And to be truthful, to our innocent little selves, they did look almost scary.

Dw and I stepped aside alone to talk. We knew that God was faithful. We figured none of this was a surprise to Him. We loved Him and wanted others to know His love. We had had peace when we prayed. We were going with it. We would open our home no matter what others thought.

After church we met them briefly, only long enough for them to say that they needed to stop somewhere before coming to our home. Okay. We headed home. My mom had been at church and had seen the family. I have to say, she was a little concerned as well. She wasn’t so sure they should come to our home either.

When I got home, and since our guests hadn’t arrived yet, I just had to have a little fun with my mom. {I know, I know, how could I?} I called my mom. When she answered I was gasping and choking and pretending like it was a struggle to talk. She said, “Linny! What’s wrong?” I said, “They tried to kill us….we need help.” Immediately I burst out laughing. She did not think it was nearly as funny as I did. {I couldn’t help myself.}

Soon the couple arrived with their kids and dog. We hadn’t known there was a dog too. =) We had food and drinks ready. We ate together and then sat in the living room and talked. They were so sweet. They were so easy to talk to. We had fun. There was no awkwardness. It was just sweet fun. We all have had times when meeting someone new it’s just plain awkward…..but this particular night with these folks? Not a bit. It was one of the most precious times of friendship. I remember thinking, “I think they could become very close friends.”

Eventually, somehow the subject of our infertility came up. They asked us: Could we pray for you? I remember thinking this was all kind of crazy. We weren’t ones {in those days} to talk about it much to people we didn’t know. Infact did you ever have something happen and you just know that it was orchestrated by God. That’s how it felt that night. Just the way the conversation had went, and even just how the had ended up in our home and then to have them asking to pray with us for our infertility. They prayed a really sweet prayer asking the Lord to heal my womb and fill our home with lots of kids. It was a very tender time.

Eventually we all went to bed. As it turns out, the dad had heard about a job interview and believe it or not they were all up about 5am to head to the interview. We were sound asleep when all of them {including their dog} pulled out that morning.

Amazingly, we heard that the interview, through the grapevine, had gone well and the dad had secured the job. That same day they had also found a place to live. It was crazy!

Now the equally crazy thing was that we never heard another word from them again, nor did we ever see them again. And the people who told them about our church? They were never heard from or seen again. I know it all maybe seems bizarre to all of you reading this….but it was one of those times that just doesn’t add up.

We still, to this day, shake our heads and wonder: Did we entertain angels unaware that night? We are convinced we did. And the miraculous thing….I conceived the very next month. Was that just God’s timing? Or had angels prayed for my healing that night? I know, we will never really know this side of heaven….but Dw and I firmly believe that they were angels and no one will ever be able to tell us otherwise.
We also firmly believe that the “clothing episode” of the couple was a test from the Lord. Would we look at the outward appearance or would we do what we knew God wanted us to do? We haven’t always passed all His tests – but this one we did! We are convinced that that night in 1982 angels (dressed up as an entire family of them) slept in our home and there will be a little tiny angel in our Memorial Box.

Please share your Memorial Box story and link it below. If you did it yesterday, please still go back and list it. You can always feel free to copy the Memorial Box badge in the right sidebar – it tickles my heart! And if you are not sure about this whole Memorial Box thing….it is explained in this post.

27 thoughts on “Memorial Box Monday – Entertaining Angels?

  1. What an incredible story. We entertained angels once too just before hubby's dad passed away. It's an incredible story too. I think I just might do it next week as a Memorial Box Monday. Hugs and love

  2. Friend, you build a story like no other! But calling your mom like that? FOR SHAME!! hahahah

    I believe a thousand percent those were angels. You were so blessed! Saying, "Yes!" led to great joy! We should say it more often!

  3. 🙂
    I love your life stories. I really hope that God has at least half as many things to take me through 🙂

    and the moment you mentioned angels I thought about this verse: Hebrews 13:2

  4. I so love your memorial box stories! Sometime I need to find the time to record some of mine for my kids. It is a goal! I definitely do believe in angels visiting when we need them the most. I know I have been visited several times. I also think I have the priviledge to work with a few too….

    I am also eagerly awaiting the news on Jubilee. I know this sweetie has been through so very much. She holds a very special place in my heart and reminds me so much of my own little China love. If I can be of any help at all down the line, please do let me know. I have taught children with severe multiple needs for over 20 years and might be able to help you some with the homeschooling. You may be just fine, but something is nudging me to offer just in case this Dr appt has left you feeling a bit overwhelmed.

    Blessings,
    Marian

  5. Oh Linny, How I love reading your Memorial Box posts! Another incredible testimony of the power of our God! I love it! Thank you for sharing! I really hope that everything went well with Jubilee yesterday.

  6. Oh Linny, I love you so much! 🙂 First you had me laughing my head off at the thought of them in church that night, then in tears as I think of God orchestrating every little bit of that for you guys. What a sweet story!! <3

  7. linny,
    I have a prayer requests to share, but first of all thank you for your posts. I have read over and over your journey to Isaiah and how God moved mountains for you to bring him home. We are also asking CCAA to adopt a SN child and we need lots of prayers. The way it looks (in human speaking) is near impossible, BUT our God is the God of Possibles! We should hear soon of their decision. Thank you for your love and support.

  8. Those kinds of stories give me chills! Our family has a story like that too, but I don't write a blog. Maybe someday I'll have to do a blog just to share some Memorial Box stories. : )

  9. Wow, this reminds me of a story – just don't know if I can put it on my blog, not sure if any of hubby's co-workers are reading???? I'll have to ask, and I may link…. I LOVE your Memorial Box MOnday posts!
    Barb

  10. Wow Linny, what an awesomely amazing God story. I'm saying definitely angels. So happy that you and Dw passed the "clothes" test–not so sure I would have. The fertility conversation . . . the prayer . . . the pregnancy. Wow. Just wow.

    Love you girl,

    Tina

  11. Gives me chills hearing this story!! I can't wait to share it with my family! The Lord can send angels to visit anytime! We teach our kids to be "nice" even in difficult situations and look out for (and ask God to send)divine appointments… entertaining angels is another awesome experience to be prepared for and blessed by!!!! Can't wait to see where this discussion leads!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Sheri

  12. Gives me chills hearing this story!! I can't wait to share it with my family! The Lord can send angels to visit anytime! We teach our kids to be "nice" even in difficult situations and look out for (and ask God to send)divine appointments… entertaining angels is another awesome experience to be prepared for and blessed by!!!! Can't wait to see where this discussion leads!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Sheri

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>