angels unaware

Its hard to say this but, its easy to be judgemental when you are in a place like The Med.  I realize that isn't a very good reflection of me, but its the truth.  When in a crisis, one is obviously very self absorbed, rightly so.  But, what I've begun to realize is that I was looking straight through other people, not caring that they were having their own crisis, not caring that they didn't live 20 minutes away but rather 200 miles and their temporary housing was now the waiting room , not caring what was happening to their loved one. 

Last week ( or maybe it was yesterday) I passed a man in the hallway.  His outward appearance was not really 'pleasing to the eye'... I just kept going, barely noticing him.  I took my place outside the door of the TICU, waiting for visiting '40 minutes' to start.   Something happened, I received some news that upset me and I began to cry.  In a second, someone was holding on to me and speaking to me in a reassuring way and it wasn't a familiar voice.  It was the man.  The man whom I had just looked right through.  He asked me a few questions, tried to calm me and then he said he would pray for Thomas.  He did it right then while holding on to me still.  He prayed for my Thomas and his friend, Peanut :).  He prayed a beautiful, simple prayer but so heartfelt. 

I've been thinking about him every day now.  I haven't seen him again nor have I been able to find out who is Peanut (HPPA!) so....... I am reminded of this verse that my Mom has had hanging by her back entry for as long as I can remember.  Its:

Hebrews 13: 2 " Do not forget to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares... " 

Isn't that beautiful?  Throughout this whole ordeal, we have been sustained from near and far.  I am realizing that 'the man' was not the only angel I was unaware of... there have been many and had my heart not been so so so so open to God right now, I would have missed them too.  Maybe I have missed some.  But, from now on, I am looking.  I hope you are too!

The angel I am not missing is the one sittin' in that bed at the med (yes, we've made many jokes at the rhyme).  He's amazing.  I see why God chose to use him, even though I wish I could have negotiated that a little.  But, TMullins is a fighter like I've never known.   He watched his Tigers beat my Hogs today (where was the sedation when I needed it?!) And he is going to beat ALL of this to the glory of His Lord, and mine, and yours... one in the same.  Thomas prays now when my 40 minutes are up.  He is my angel; I am aware.  Thank you God for Thomas. Thank you God for staying with him for carrying him and me.

My Thomas is a private, protected person.  To honor him, and after much thought and prayer, I've chosen not to openly list every detail of his current status, vital signs or recovery.  God knows those things as He knows every (remaining) hair on his head.   We covet your prayers and thank you for faithfully lifting him up, despite my lack of information, asking that God continue a revival of faith through Thomas' miraculous recovery.  We are so thankful, so humbled, you will just never know.  And... HIOTT!