Angels in our midst
by Rebecca on 2009-08-19
This quote from Elder Hollandʼs talk has been on my mind for the
last few weeks:
From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His
emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children …
Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen
they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have
significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private.
Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort,
to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.
Iʼve been thinking about people who have demonstrated something angelic
while William and I are adjusting to life with Emily.
- The nurses at the hospital where Emily was born were kind, patient, and so
knowledgeable. In particular, the nurse who attended most of Emilyʼs
delivery kept me from having a total meltdown. I especially liked her because
her last name was Allen, and she told me that her daughterʼs name was
Rebecca. Maybe she was extra nice to me for that reason, but I will be
forever grateful for her good care.
- My mom came to stay with us for a few days after Emily was born. She cooked,
she fussed over Emily, she patted my back when I cried (more times than I
care to remember), she shopped for us, and she extended her stay a few days
when I developed a fever and couldnʼt leave my bedroom.
- My sister Carrie also came to visit with my mom, and she was a lifesaver. She
cooked, she bounced Emily, she kept us laughing with her wisecracks about how
bad the Twilight movie is, and she let Emily suck on her fingers for hours.
Iʼm going to miss her when she goes back to Utah this week!
- My brother and sister-in-law saved our tails by running a few errands for us
late at night while we were in the hospital. Thanks to them, we didnʼt
come home to moldy linens that had sat in the washing machine for 4 days.
- Members of our ward have brought us some tasty meals. Our fridge is well
stocked and itʼs made life so much easier not to have to cook for a
few days. (I donʼt know what Iʼm going to do when our
ready-made food runs out …)
- William has been my favorite angel. He really has been a lifesaver while
Iʼm adjusting to full-time motherhood. He gets up with Emily in the
night, he changes her messiest diapers, heʼs a pro at burping her,
heʼs run most of the errands, heʼs done all the laundry for the
last two weeks, heʼs offered priesthood blessings in the middle of
long painful nights, he still holds my hand and wipes away my tears of joy or
frustration, and heʼs given me countless other reasons to fall more
and more in love with him each day.
As I reflect on the help that weʼve received, Elder Hollandʼs
counsel certainly rings true, for we have been comforted in trying times and
received just the merciful attention that weʼve so needed.