Entertaining Angels

As the last day of 2019 drew to an end, a recent experience placed me in a self-reflective state.

While in Iowa to celebrate our daughter’s graduation from Iowa State, I rose early and headed to the hotel lobby to take care of a few business-related tasks.

I immediately saw my cousin, who had traveled to Iowa as well for the celebration, enjoying a bite to eat and I chose a seat across from her at a table not far from the breakfast area. 

A gentleman at a nearby table turned around to chat with us. He shared he was there for his granddaughter’s graduation and that he was retired. We all continued to chit chat for a few more moments until my cousin politely excused herself from the table to return to her hotel room and prepare for departure.

Now with my cousin gone, I expected the friendly stranger to return to his cup of coffee at his own table. Nope.

Much to my chagrin, he continued to chat with me. Remember, I was supposed to be taking care of some work-related tasks. At one point, I got up to get some juice and physically turned my body in the opposite direction so as not to encourage further chatting.

It didn’t work.

All of a sudden, he said, “May I share something with you?” as he began rummaging through a small stack of weathered papers that were nestled on his wheeled walker. “This is something someone shared with me once.”

He began to read...

A Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

“There are 5 things you need to know,” he told the pencil, “Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.”

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

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Now replacing the place of the pencil with you. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

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Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change.

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With tears running down his cheeks, the friendly stranger looked at me, slowly nodding his head as if in agreement with what he had just read.  I offered him a tissue, which he graciously accepted. And then, without words, he gathered his belongings and left the lobby.  I never saw him again but his words had a long-lasting effect.  Lord, are you trying to speak to me?

As you reflect on 2019 or even yesterday, what messages have you nearly missed because you were focused elsewhere?  Are you pausing to truly enjoy every moment and those who are in your presence? 

This verse comes to mind:

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

Sometimes, exactly what we need to hear comes in the most unexpected forms.

#2019 #angels #messages

Shatanese resides in Atlanta with her husband and their four Littles.  Their adult children are off making their marks on the world as an ISU graduate and a Marine.

Shatanese, owner of Shatanese Reese, LLC, a HR consulting firm, enjoys helping others to find the extraordinary in everyday moments through engaging workshops.

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