The Angel

The Angel

In a tiny little village nestled quietly at the foot of a beautiful grassy hill; there was great excitement over a new arrival. (This was a place where people usually were born, lived out their lives and died much the same as their fathers before them. Usually no one new moved to this town.)

Just the Sunday before, Dr. Kindly had prayed to the Lord for a sign, a special Heavenly visitation upon their village so that they would know that He had not forgotten them.

That’s why the excitement was so intense; a beautiful golden haired lady had stopped in their village after having lost her way (she said) and decided to stay (at least for a while). She caused quite a stir as she drove her car from their tiny dirt streets—her long golden hair blowing in the breeze-she looked as if it had been kissed by the sunlight. Everyone thought she must surely be a vision. She said her name was Noel.

Noel was beautiful of face and figure. She was tall and thin and had a flawless complexion. She was strikingly dramatic and dressed in white.

On the same day, another stranger came into town almost unnoticed-such was the commotion raised over the arrival of Noel. (Oh how the name seemed like music on the tongue of those who spoke it!)

Sara was the name of the other new arrival-a name that seemed to fit her. Those who took the time to notice her at all noticed a quietness and gentleness about her and also that her eyes seemed to hold such compassion. They almost moved one to tears.

Sara visited quietly about the village making herself available to anyone who she could help much like a kindly grandmother or a favorite aunt.

Sometimes, since she was so quiet, she had come and gone before people even realized that she was present...

Such was the time when little Billy Simpson fell out of the tree and knocked his breath out. Sara was there picking him up, rocking him in her arms and comforting him before anyone else knew what had happened. But when Mr. Simpson looked around to thank her (after he saw what had happened and came to Billy’s aid), she was gone. She was seated next to old Mr. Bingford reading to her a letter Mrs. Bingford had received from her great grandson. Wasn’t that just like Sara?

Noel was the talk of the village No one had ever seen such beauty and everyone was enthralled by the way she spoke. No one actually knew what she did for a living nor did they ask. The ladies at the beauty parlor (where she went every other day for one thing or another) were curious but didn’t want to pry nor did reporters who snapped her photos with various village admirers as she shopped at the local dress shops, shoe shops etc. Taking care of her image which everyone so admired didn’t leave a lot of times for community affairs but everyone understood that.

Noel spent her time basking in the admiration of the villagers but then she deserved their admiration, didn’t she?

Sara was busy also in her quiet way. She found time to babysit for some of the youngsters of the village which freed their mothers for a few hours each week. She visited the elderly and ran their errands .Few people remembered to thank her-everyone just felt so comfortable around her and she didn’t really seem to expect a fuss to be made over her. Although she was kind and gentle she could be strict when necessary –the kids found that she was no pushover.

Life went on for several weeks in a pleasant way. Most of the people in Rev. Kindly's congregation were content to let life ease by while the Revered prayed earnestly that the Lord would show him that this little village had not been forgotten.

Noel came to church each Sunday morning and was usually surrounded by most of the flock before and after the service. Oh, how the people adored her!

Finally one night Rev Kindly had a dream and in it the Lord spoke to him quite plainly that his prayer had been heard and, yes, answered. The Lord, it seems, had indeed sent an angel into their midst but now was removing the angel from that particular assignment. The pastor wasn’t sure exactly why, but he guessed that the Lord wasn’t pleased with the town’s reaction..

The pastor called the flock together and related his dream to them and the response was immediate. They went by bike, by car, by foot to the house where Noel was staying prepared to plead with her not to leave, so convinced were they that she was an angel.

Everyone was there—except Sara…

Choosing between women has never been my forte', but I loved the story. I go to McDonald's and sit and stare at the menu though I know every single item still say:"umm...umm...can I have a minute."
There is never a clear obvious choice I have known both types and either can be something contrary to what they appear to be.
God will send you what you need, Satan will send you whatever you want...externally they may both appear the same.

Well written,
God Bless.

That gave me goose bumps. Your writing is lovely and had a rather important moral to impart. It is much needed in this generation where looks are all that matter to many people.