‘Twas almost Christmas and we’d just met Santa after a beautiful sleigh ride in the sunset. My boy was SO energized. All of the hustle and bustle of the elves and excited children was SO invigorating… and stimulating. It came time to leave.
We said goodbye to his friends who walked to their car and drove away. I told him to come along, as it was time to go. He began to get upset. There were other children staying longer, why not him? While some children would melt down during the stimulation, mine does so when crashing down from it. From that second, a meltdown ensued. In order to try to contain the explosion, I had to drop my purse, phone, glasses, and coat. I was concerned about them for a moment, but my boy was infinitely more important.
Person after person stopped, some stared, and then they passed. Some tried to intervene, making the situation worse because they didn’t pause to ask what might be helpful.
I saw a man that we had spoken to briefly earlier walk over, concern on his face. He proceeded to stoop down to pick up my things. He gently folded my coat, placed it and all of my belongings carefully on a display table, and turned to me and quietly asked if I needed anything. He then proceeded to follow any instructions that I gave him, and carefully watched my things while I dealt with the crisis.
This was one of the most beautiful displays of grace and kindness that I have ever experienced in my life. To this day, nearly three years later, time stands still and I almost cry for grateful joy when I think of it. I can still see the calm concern in his face. Every time, I am reminded of the good people God places in the ugliest of times.
When I was able to go back and thank him, he told me that he was only in town helping a friend and actually lived several hours away. It should not have been that this man was in my town or that we should meet, but he was and we did. God arranged for him to be there- not only to help me that night, but also to remind me of what grace looks like for years to come. When I told a friend about this, she said, “Wow! He was a real earth angel! I’m so glad he was there.” I believe in angels. I also believe this man was flesh and blood, but he will always be my “Earth Angel”, a dear friend in a stranger.
Even in our least beautiful moments, God is there. He will provide what you need and work good from all things in the lives of those who love Him.
For all of those “Earth Angels” from Caregivers in a crisis:
If I could hug you for eternity,
then all the world would see;
that moment of your kindness, Friend,
meant all the world to me.
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