Chapter
21

That couch would see a lot of activity over the next couple of weeks. Some people would come to drop off food but then sit on the couch and talk to us for hours. The house never seemed crowded. God had everyone working in tandem. As one of His children would leave us, another one would seem to just walk in the door right behind them. One encounter sticks out in my mind. Back then there was a very old looking homeless appearing man that hung around Covington. He was thin and covered in uncombed reddish looking hair and beard. He never appeared to be bathed. He would occasionally ride his bike up and down Military Road. He looked a bit like the Ghost of Christmas Future in the story of Tiny Tim.

 

One day as a couple was leaving our house after a visit, I walked them out to their car. As they were leaving this unkept homeless man appeared in our front yard pushing his bicycle on his side. He spoke to me words that I can’t describe and cannot quote. He looked me straight in the eye, and I can still picture his face. He didn’t want anything from me. He just wanted to give me a message of Hope and Peace. He let me know that God would always be with me. He let me know that God is hurting with me. His message to me was one that I reflected on for many years to come. Elna and I called him, “The Angel.” I don’t know if he was really an angel or not, but I do know that God used him to bring us comfort and peace. At extremely low points in our grief, Elna and I would be gasping for our next breath. At those points, God would put “The Angel” in our path. Again, I have no idea if this man was truly an angel. What I do know is that God reminded me that there is a full Spiritual realm all around me and that there is a Spiritual battle being fought. God is not an inactive character in that battle. He is actively fighting FOR ME. In Revelations, we see that it only takes an unnamed angel to imprison the devil. The devil’s power is nothing to compare to that of the Lord’s.

 

 

2 Kings 6 New International Version

 

13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

 

 

Ephesians 6:12 New International Version

 

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.