ANGELS IN BLUE JEANS
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Matthew 25:31-40 (NRSV)

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"

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Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
- Hebrews 1:14 (NIV)
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WHEN my mother, an Alzheimer's patient, was moved to a nursing facility 200 miles from me, I had to close her home of 50 years. Alone and sad, I found myself supported by "angels in blue jeans" -- no halos, no wings, no white robes but angels nevertheless.

After I put some broken lamps at the curb for trash pick-up, a stranger asked if he could have them; then he stayed to help carry heavy furniture downstairs. Young men from the church youth group came to help. An acquaintance came to appraise furnishings at no charge, simply out of kindness. I received all these people as angels, even though they were ordinary folks willing to help someone with a need.

Now and again something may lead us to make a phone call, send a card, visit someone, or take a meal. That "something" is the Holy Spirit living in us and prompting us to reach out to others. Obeying these promptings is a chance to be God's hands, voice, and feet. It is our chance to be someone's angel in blue jeans -- ordinary people helping others in Jesus' name.

Prayer: God of compassion, thank you for sending your angels to help us in times of need. Teach us to offer mercy and kindness to everyone around us. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Where do I see opportunities to be an angel to someone in need?

-- Phyllis Stone Church (Kentucky, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Families of patients with Alzheimer's disease