Reflections from Holland: Angels Among Us

Friday, June 27, 2014

Angels Among Us

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” –Matthew 18:10 NIV

I am convinced that my son sees angels. Ever since he was a baby there have been times that his face will light up with delight and he will look intently up near the ceiling. His gaze will shift as though he is tracking something that is moving all around. These experiences often happen in an atmosphere of worship, though there have been many times Benjamin is simply playing in the living room, and he will suddenly demonstrate this behavior. There are a few songs that I sing to my little boy that seem to trigger this response in him as well. He has his repertoire of children’s songs he likes me to sing to him, and he will engage with me for each one. Often, though, when I reach two certain songs, his attention will drift from me, and he will turn to look towards the ceiling, obviously full of joy. The first song is inspired by a passage in Proverbs:

A cheerful heart is good medicine, good medicine, good medicine

A cheerful heart is good medicine, Proverbs 17:22

So dance, dance, dance everybody

Dance, dance, dance everybody

Everybody dance!

I wonder if he is watching the angels dance! The second song is lovingly termed “Benjamin’s Song.” When I carried him in my womb, I asked the Lord to give me a song for my child that would speak of his identity and destiny. The Bible says in Zephaniah 3:17, “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs,” (NLT, bold font mine). Simple lyrics and melody flooded my heart, and “Benjamin’s Song” was born:

Mighty warrior, child of God

Benjamin Lee, beautiful boy

Benjamin Lee, beloved of the Lord

Benjamin Lee, son of my right hand

Benjamin Lee

I try to make a habit of singing this song over Benjamin daily, and he responds every time. Even if his mind is not grasping the meaning of the words, his spirit is being touched. I am so encouraged to know that my son’s cognitive limitations in no way hinder him from being able to experience the presence of God. In fact, I believe his simplicity makes is easier for him to receive and encounter the supernatural realm.

After we tuck Benjamin in at night, we always play a worship CD in his room. Sometimes he goes right to sleep, but other times we hear him making vocalizations that have a singing quality to them. We will then here delighted squeals and laughter. I believe he is encountering heaven’s realities in these moments!

In our culture that is so bound to our own rationale and physical senses, it’s easy, even as Christians, to forget the invisible realm that is present all around us. However, according to Paul, the unseen is the greater reality. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal,” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV). The things we can see and experience with our physical senses are passing away, but those things we cannot see will endure forever. Angels are a very present reality, and they are God’s gift to us. “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14, NIV). “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways,” (Psalm 91:11, NIV).

My son gives me constant reminders that there are truly angels among us. I will often find my heart turning in worship to the Lord as I observe my son responding to things that my eyes have not been opened to see. I pray that one day he will be able to articulate his experiences. I pray that they will remain with him throughout his life. I pray that in time my eyes will be open to see what he sees.

As a closing thought, I believe God’s signs and wonders are often signs to make you wonder! We will never be able to figure everything out, and if we think we can, we have reduced an Almighty, limitless God to the same size as us. What a tragedy! Jesus told us in Matthew 18:3, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven,” (NIV).Children don’t insist on analyzing everything before they are willing to believe. They simply believe. They live in the wonder of discovery and awe over things they may not understand. I desire to keep my heart tender to the Lord in this way. He doesn’t have to explain everything to me. I welcome Him to fill my heart with wonder. One sign that makes me wonder is the orbs of light that sometimes present themselves on pictures I have taken. They will vary in size and brightness. Sometimes I will take several pictures in a row, and they will shift in location or may appear or disappear all together. I wonder if I am seeing a physical manifestation of the angelic realm in these photos. While I cannot prove my theory, I am nonetheless encouraged by the reminder that the Lord’s presence is with me and my family, and that He has assigned angels to us. We are not alone!