SNOW ANGELS
Guess what? Winter has arrived! It seems like much of Canada and the US have recently had a real, honest to goodness, ol' time snowfall or two. For us in the Maritimes, I almost wondered it we would ever have a real Winter again. Since we've lived in New Brunswick, Winter has only whimpered (except for the ice storm last year). This year, up until mid-December things in my part of the world were downright balmy! But, in this past week, Winter has made a classic comeback! In fact, I haven't seen this much constant snowfall since we moved from Prince Edward Island (where they grow snow in greater abundance then their famed potatoes and lobster). It almost makes me feel like a kid again! Winter always seemed impressive then, not at all like the wimpy, on again, off again, snow, rain, freezing rain, snow, rain pattern of most storms these days.
Today we've been dumped on big time. Yesterday, I had a meeting in Saint John and left to drive the eighty or so kilometers (50 miles) in the midst of a lite snowfall. But, by the time the meeting was over and lunch was history, the roads in Saint John were plain ol' nasty. I gave Sheila a call to let her know that I was on my way and proceeded to cautiously begin the trek homeward. The drive wasn't the best, but I made it home, thank God!
Now, whether it's old age, fear, or wisdom, I don't really know, but I have to confess that I'm not as brave and/or foolish as I used to be. At one time, snow meant go. But, now, I really don't like driving in the stuff. I guess it goes back to the time we lived in Prince Edward Island. I've been caught in a few of their famous can't-see-a-foot-ahead-of-you storms, and they're not fun in anyone's books.
I remember one storm in particular during the time we lived in PEI. When I think of driving in crazy conditions, this is the one I remember. It was a squall that came up from nowhere. The forecasters didn't see it coming. No one did. I lived in Fredericton, PEI at the time and had a service in a nursing home in Charlottetown that afternoon. Charlottetown was about a thirty minute drive in perfect driving conditions, but I've seen it take three times longer in a bad storm.
Well, on this particular day, the weather was fine and I left for town. According to Sheila, about five minutes after I left, the snow and wind began with such force that she couldn't see the gas station directly across the road. Meanwhile, I was still blissfully unaware of the impending danger. I went into the Prince Edward home and began the service. Now here's where things get interesting. About half way through the service the phone rang and a few moments later a member of the staff interrupted the service to tell me that someone had phoned and said that a bad storm had come up so I'd better go home. I promptly excused myself, and headed for the car.
When I got outside, I couldn't believe it. Never before had I seen such heavy snow and high winds. I knew that the drive over the twists and turns and hills that lay between Charlottetown and home were going to be a challenge through this horizontal wall of white. I can't recall ever being more afraid while driving. I said a quick prayer and off I went. The majority of the time, I just couldn't see at all. I considered stopping, but was afraid of going into the ditch if I tried to pull off the road. At the same time, I couldn't stop on the road because I knew if anyone was behind me, they would hit me before they could even see that another vehicle was in front of them. I had to just go slow and pray fast!
Well, as you most likely have gathered, I made it home alive. But when I asked Sheila about the call, she said that when she called, the staff told her that someone else had also called and I had already left! Hum, I mused. Perhaps it was Millar next door. I asked him, and, no, it wasn't him. To make a long story short, I asked everyone I knew if they called that day. No one owned up to it. I never found out who called, but I am truly grateful to the one who did! The call may very well have saved my life.
I know what you're thinking — "OK, Grant, just what are you suggesting?" Well, I can't for the life of me understand why a person would have cared enough to call and then not 'fessed up to doing it. It's not the kind of thing someone does. If anything, that person would have called later to see if I got home safely, right? Well, no one did. Believe me, I have gone over the events of that day a million times. I examined every possibility, and eyeballed every angle and the only theory that works for me is that an angel must have used his calling card. Nothing else makes sense.
Well, what do you think? I'd love to hear from you if you've had, or know of, similar experiences. Just click on my name at the bottom of this page.
Let me conclude by saying that I am uncomfortable and angry with the angel craze that surrounds us. People worship angels and are fascinated by them, but often never read the Bible to find out the truth ministry, nature, and purpose of God's messengers. As a result, there's lots of falsehood and misguided attention surrounding this issue. Having said that, I believe in angels because God's Perfect Word tells us that they are real. More than that, I've had a few brushes with them myself.
I take comfort in the fact that God cared enough for a none-too-important preacher in a little corner of the world, to let His fingers do the walking and perform a ringie-dingie miracle! Once again, we are all reminded that everyone is important to God and no one's welfare escapes His infinite love or grasp!
