Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.
The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.
As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.
When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, “Things aren’t always what they seem.”
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night’s rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears.
Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.
The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, “how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him,” she accused. “The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.”
“Things aren’t always what they seem,” the older angel replied.
“When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife I gave him the cow instead. Things aren’t always what they seem.”
Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don’t turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later…
Blessings ~ hope ~ traveling angels ~ faith ~ prayer ~
Merry Christmas,
Sandra
THE OLD GEEZER says
Great story and Illustration why we should always remember that things aren't always what they seem. Only God has the full picture.
~Ron
Anonymous says
There is ALWAYS hope. A beautiful post Sandra. May God bless you and your husband this Christmas.
Kerrie says
Sandra, I was so touched by this wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing! You are a very special person and I am so happy I found you! Hugs, Kerrie
Wobegon Cottage says
What a beautiful story. I really enjoyed it. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
LindaSueBuhl says
and another Amen! very few things are as they seem – especially for people of faith – hope IS the gift of Christmas – God with Us – Emanuel.
Paula says
That was an amazing story, Sandra, and also a wonderful reminder!!
Hope you are staying warm, dear friend…
Deborah says
Good reminder.
Colleen says
Oh how true. I love the earlier comment about the snowman Christmas card. Blessings to you!
KathyB. says
Without HOPE, what have we? Love this story, thank-you.
The Antiques Diva says
Always an inspiration to stop chez vous!
Karen says
There is always Hope. Always.
Deborah says
I once received a Christmas card with a snowman on the front. He was holding two pieces of coal in his hand and exclaiming…" what, all I got were two pieces of coal." When you opened the card there he stood with the coal acting as eyes. Now he was exclaiming…."I can see, I can see." I received that card many years ago but still have it in a prominent place where I can see it all year long. Thank you for sharing your story. Merry Christmas.
Meg says
What a GREAT story. Thank you for sharing!
Timi says
Interesting story!
Kelle says
All I can add is AMEN!
Farm Girl says
I love this story, thanks for sharing it. I was hoping it was your story and how God had a place for you to stay while you are gone. I have been praying about that too.
I hope God will send to you your own ministering angels.
Blessings