Donna’s husband suddenly left his family without looking back.
Heartbroken and grieving, Donna recounted to me how she only wanted to crawl into a corner and hide for shame and sorrow. Before her husband left she was not working outside the home. At the outset of this shocking development she was temporarily paralyzed and unable to take any positive action. She proceeded to share what transpired during the months that followed.
When she went shopping one day she met an elderly gentleman she hardly knew and held a conversation with him, mostly about his concern over his son, and saying very little about her situation. To her surprise, at the conclusion of the visit he promised that he was going to send a contribution every month to assist in her support. At about that same time a sum of money came to her every month from an unnamed source.
When Christmas came many members of her church mailed her a “card shower”. Inside each card was a small contribution…A couple of times when she opened the front door in the morning she discovered a food basket placed there anonymously…A close friend who had money in her bank learned that Donna’s resources were being drained by payment on a house loan. She took Donna to the bank and paid off the loan. Later, when a drunk driver hit Donna’s car totaling it, this friend loaned Donna a car and subsequently purchased a used car for her use. In addition she paid tuition money for Donna’s children for a period of time.
Even so, insecurity and fear set in every time Donna went out on the road wondering what she would do if something happened. Her fear gradually subsided when she experienced multiple small incidents of car malfunction. Every time, without fail, someone came along at once who assisted in repair of the mechanical problems. She didn’t even have to hail someone down for help (in the days before cell phones.)
After a period of time Donna was able to procure a full time job and held two part time jobs and no longer needed the extra financial support—which then ceased. Donna will always assert that God used responsive people as His “angels” to support her and her family during a time of despair and duress. She recounts these experiences with deepest gratefulness, and believes that God showed His loving provision through the generosity and kindness of many people serving as God’s “angels” all through the most critical time of her family’s recovery.
She shared with me promises that she feels certain God fulfilled for her and her children. At this time of extreme vulnerability and neediness she saw that “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Philippians 4:19 and Jeremiah 31:3) Not only was her family cared for financially, but God provided love to replace their feelings of abandonment and rejection.
To some “Donna” who may read this account, let the account of the real Donna assure you that God is faithful and will see you through your time of trial. He sent many “angels” when she needed them. And to the rest of us who read, may we respond to the Holy Spirit’s promptings to be an “angel” to someone who is suffering.
Picture originally found here
