Entertaining Angels

I love to travel.  I love to write. I love to write about my travels!  A few days ago I was in Nashville just hanging out with my husband listening to music, my other all consuming passion, all over the city.  It was my first time ever in a honkytonk.  There are a bunch of them on Broadway in downtown Nashville ( why does every city insist on a street called Broadway? Are there no more street names readily available? Has the supply been exhausted?)  :-)

Anyway, in addition to the new experience of the honkytonk, I saw something else new and different on the streets of downtown Nashville.  Homeless people all over the streets selling newspapers for a buck.  A newspaper by homeless people, about homeless people, for the benefit of homeless people! What a concept!  The name of the paper, aptly, is The Contributor.  Byline:  Diverse perspectives on homelessness.  Genuine opportunities for advancement.  One afternoon back in out hotel room while resting my feet, I picked up the paper we had purchased and began to leaf thru it.  It was inspiring to say the least!  As well as informative.  And myth busting.  I was amazed at the array of stories, poems, song lyrics written by homeless contributors.   This one caught my eye.  Written by a homeless songwriter named Chris Scott.  The name of it is "Entertaining Angels".  I thought it was lovely.  These are obviously song lyrics, but I thought I would share them with you anyway.  So my blog post today is dedicated to Chris. Wherever he is.  With hope, love, and prayers for a better tomorrow.....

There are things that can't be understood
In a world that can't be seen
Like deja vu....You remember you...
Once saw this in a dream
Things that can't be recognized
When they're right before your eyes
And that lost soul you showed kindness to
May be an angel in disguise

Entertaining angels...They stop by from time to time
God sends them to help us and make sure that we're all right..
When you do the best you can...Treating strangers like old friends...
Help your fellow man....You're entertaining angels again....

Now you can doubt and say it can't be true...Say it isn't so...
It's probably happened before to you
And you didn't even know
Angels walking among us...And they're closer than you think...
I've seen my share of angels out there
But I never saw their wings....No I never saw their wings....

Entertaining angels...They stop by from time to time
God sends them to help us and make sure that we're all right...
When you do the best you can...Treating strangers like old friends...
Help your fellow man...You're entertaining angels again...

As sure as there are angels out there...Demons are out there too...
Trying to do their very best to do their worst to you
The darkness fights against the light
And the wrong is defeated by the right
You can't see the enemy...Or the angel by your side...
The angel by your side...

Entertaining angels...They stop by from time to time...
God sends them to help us and make sure that we're all right...
When you do the best you can...Treating strangers like old friends...
Help your fellow man...You're entertaining angels again...
 
It's a simple message.  It's a powerful reminder.  Jesus reminds us that as we do unto the least of these, we have done unto Him.  I wonder if it is a coincidence that just before we left for our trip I downloaded a book to my iPad called "Angelology".  I have never even heard of this. Apparently angelogy is bonafide area of religious research devoted to the study of angels. It goes back over a thousand years.  My book is a novel, but it is packed with information and scripture references about angels.  It's funny.  I have never thought much about angels.  But the Bible talks a good bit about them.  The New Testament says that after his 40 days in the wilderness, angels came and ministered to Jesus.  If they ministered to Him, it stands to reason that they would minister to us.  That they might be among us.  Even if we can't see their wings. "There are things that can't be understood/in a world that can't be seen".  Thanks for the reminder, Chris.  Shalom!