My life has been blessed with angels who protect, guide,
inspire and heal. In fact, I’ve have
actually been ‘saved’ at least four times.
The season for snow is fast approaching in the Chicago area.
The thought reminds me of an experience from the past where guidance was
desperately needed. My youngest son and
I would occasionally cross-country ski together. On this particular day of my story, a strong
wind and dark clouds foretold more snow for our area. Although I was hesitant about the weather
forecast, my son enthusiastically urged me on.
We drove to a forest area of largely unmarked ski and hiking trails just
outside Chicago.
Looking back, I remember we began
our adventure in the early morning. Although the cold was already penetrating
my skin after a couple hours of skiing, my son suggested we explore the trail
further. I hesitated but agreed. At
first it was fun, but several hours later, I couldn’t find a familiar marking
due to the falling snow. I realized we
were lost.
Without flare, matches, or
whistle, and seeing no place to take refuge from the storm, I was very
concerned for our safety. I knew the
temperature would plummet further as day turned into night. I also remembered a recent newspaper report
of a pack of wild dogs in the area. Not
knowing what else to do, I prayed out loud for help. My son got down on his knees as well.
Suddenly, in the vastness of what
appeared as an endless white landscape devoid of human activity or animals, two
forms appeared in the distance. From their clothes we assumed one was male, the
other female, but otherwise their features were indistinct. They motioned us to follow them. We were
stunned and grateful. You see, during
our entire adventure, we had not seen one human soul.
I was exhausted. We had been trudging through banks of snow for
hours. The two motioning us to follow them
never said a word. This was strange. In fact, they kept their distance. For some reason, I didn’t think about it at
the time. I only wanted to be somewhere
warm and protected. My entire focus was
on gripping my son’s hand, literally for dear life, and surviving. I remember
falling a few times as a result of exhaustion.
I have never liked cold weather.
Night had fallen by the time we
finally recognized a familiar sight…the shack near the spot where I had left my
car. In that instant of recognition, our rescuers vanished as mysteriously as
they had appeared…without a trace and without a word. I repeat…no other people or cars were
anywhere to be seen, only my car and a shack.
In that moment of isolation and loving rescue guided back to the car, I
just knew that the figures that unexpectedly appeared in the distance motioning
us to follow them were angels. Who
else would be out at night in a heavy snowstorm beside us? Obviously, only holy
beings, guardian angels!
We both cried out to the sky
words of deep gratitude and immense relief!
The next day, I
revisited the ski rental shack and told the attendant
our story. She was stunned. As a result of our foolishness, the park district
placed an order for markers to be installed along a trail that would be safe
for the experienced skier and the inexperienced adventurers like my son and I.
Always trusting,
Shirlee Hall
bethemystery@aol.com
Http://www.behealedforever.com
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