There Are Angels Among Us

With all of the courage I could muster, I picked up my phone, dialed the number on my notepad, and waited with bated breath. I didn't know the person on the other line. I didn't know what she was going to say. I waited. The voicemail kicked on and I felt a sense of momentary relief. I had a choice to make now. I could hang up, shrug, and continue with my life. Or, I could step up, leave a message, and start to take control of my spiraling behaviors.

I left a message. After years of battling with stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and bouncing from doctor to doctor, counselor to counselor, with no actual help - I was at my wits end. Less than five minutes later, my phone rang with a tender hearted woman on the other line. I didn't know what to expect, but I could tell that somehow, this was going to work. Our firecracker personalities would quickly mesh. Little did I know, this stranger, her beautiful daughter, and a precious spiritual sister would become three of my greatest friends and closest spiritual teachers and mentors.

Flash forward to nearly three years later. My Pastor knows me better than I know myself, most days. She baptized me into the Christian Faith. She introduced me to the love of Jesus, and continually helps me to grow in my walk and fellowship with Him. Her daughter, a Billboard Charting Christian Artist (see, listen, and read her amazing story here), also serves as a beautiful sister in Christ to me. Through Sherry Anne, I met another incredible soul who shines with the Holy Spirit from the inside out.

My Pastor has shown me the meaning of true friendship. She has shown me how sacred it is, and how special it is. She's never afraid to tell me the truth in love. Her mission isn't to merely help me survive through life, it is to thrive in life with God right next to me, and His Word in my heart.

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:31-32

I never could have imagined having such a great friendship and mentorship. I remember praying for the longest time to be saved from the bondage of fear, anxiety, anger, and ultimately, my past. I remember praying for a true friend, just one true friend. Then, through God's grace and loving mercy, He blessed me with these three angels on earth to lead me on a path of righteousness, truth, peace, and joy. They've taught me all about forgiveness, unconditional love, what it means to be in the "Family of Christ", friendship, humility, responsibility, and I could go on. As I reflect on my journey walking with The Lord, I remain ever grateful and humbled that He placed these incredible gems on my path.

In a world that is all too often consumed by darkness and negativity, it is so crucial to surround yourself with the light. The light of God, and the light of those who reflect His Word and His ways. Without the sun, the moon has no light at all. Similarly, without the SON, and without those who lead us to Him, we have no light at all.

I believe there are angels among us. Sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me, in our darkest hours, to show us how to live, to teach us how to give, to guide us with the light of love.