Learning to Listen

The second verse of Amy Grant's song, "Angels Watching Over Me," reminds us that God has given His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways - even when we are not aware they are there. Amy sings, "God only knows the times my life was threatened just today. A reckless car ran out of gas before it ran my way. Near misses all around me, accidents unknown, Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home. But I know they're all around me all day and through the night. When the enemy is closing in, I know sometimes they fight To keep my fight from falling, I'll never turn away. If you're asking what's protecting me then you're gonna hear me say:" Angels Watching Over Me . . . ."

Most of us want to SEE before we believe that God's angels are there. Amy's song reminds us that they are there - in the dark places, in the secret places, in the "coincidental" happenings. Pause for a moment and reflect on the seemingly small incidents in your life. I'll share one from my own book of memories to jog your mind.

I was returning home from a visit to my daughter in Knoxville, Tennessee. Approximately forty miles from home, I was hot and tired from the drive and long weekend. To break up the drive and cool off a bit, I decided to stop at the Dairy Queen for refreshment. I had enough time to relax a little bit before my evening teaching stint began. A thought passed through my mind: "Wait until you get to Ellijay to get your ice cream cone." I brushed it aside, and turned into the Dairy Queen in Chatsworth, a small town on the north side of Fort Mountain. Another thought persisted, "You'll be sorry you didn't wait. You won't get a chance to rest before you have to go to work."

I ignored it. I had plenty of time! My air conditioner wasn't working very well (needed freon), and I wanted that ice cream!

As I turned into the DQ driveway, I noticed a couple of big dump trucks with distinctive markings on them. They were from Fannin, a county just north of Ellijay. I groaned, figuring I would get behind them later on. But nothing could keep me from that ice cream cone dipped in chocolate!!

There are two roads that lead to Ellijay from Chatsworth: One over Fort Mountain, the other around the mountain. I usually take the road around the mountain - a very scenic drive that is not so curvy and steep. As I drove through the small town, a thought passed through my mind, "You should go over the mountain today." I shrugged off the voice and kept traveling down the highway, passing the road that leads across the mountain. My mind was set: I would take the easier route to Ellijay.

The road around the mountain has some steep, impassable, sections with blind driveways and one must drive with extra caution. Just as I crossed the county line - the worst of these places - the traffic was at a standstill. I could see one of the big dump trucks from Fannin County, a sheriff's car, and a mobile home tilted sideways in the road, making it impossible to pass. I banged the steering wheel, with both hands, irritated at myself, the heat, the traffic jam, and jumped out of the car, and walked up the hill to talk to the deputy sheriff.

"How long will we be here?" I asked him.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know, Mam. Your guess is as good as mine."

From this vantage point I could see what had happened: the driver of the truck pulling the mobile home had misjudged his distance and had backed the mobile home into a ditch, blocking all lanes of traffic. It looked as though we would be held up for a long time. Not a pleasant prospect since it was ninety five degrees in the shade!

"Is there another way to Ellijay?" I asked hopefully, knowing the answer was not one I would enjoy.

"Sure," he said. "You can go back to Chatsworth and cross the mountain."

"I told you to go over the mountain," the thought in my mind whispered as I walked back to my car. I looked at the dump truck sitting there, motor off, the driver with his head lying back against the seat. The other dump truck was nowhere in sight. If I hadn't stopped for refreshment, I would have been in front of both the trucks. I should have listened to the voice long before now. But I had ignored it.

"Near misses all around me . . . ." Amy's song rang through my mind. God was trying to tell me an easier way. If only I had listened! No, it wasn't a life-threatening situation this time. However, it could have been. Would I have listened?

I encourage you to look for God in the small things. Learn from your mistakes (and mine!). Don't be too busy, or too set in your ways to change your course of action. God cares for you and wants to help you. That's why He has given his angels "charge over you." Listen. LISTEN! L I S T E N!

About the Author:
Linda Van Fleet is a freelance inspirational writer specializing in articles and features on Christian lifestyle topics, angels, Internet and social issues. Linda also owns and maintains several websites: Applecity.com, StoverMusic.com, TrueSoulMate.com, Ateau.com as well as content syndication site Awesome Web Essentials. and http://ibelieveinangels.com. Linda has 2 children and three grandchildren.

© 2005 Linda Van Fleet All rights reserved.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Experiences With Angels

All of my life I had heard, read and sang... Read More

Do People See Visions Anymore?

Unless God has changed the way he does things it... Read More

Time for Healing

We have to go through some unfortunate experiences sometimes in... Read More

Why Angels, Why Now?

The Angelic realms have been very active throughout the human... Read More

Starved Spirits, Sorrowful Souls

Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 (NIV) We... Read More

Spirit to Spirit: A Letter to My Friend

Good morning beloved,I always feel a need to let people... Read More

Spirit and the Law of Cause and Effect

Most of our troubles are bought about by exercising our... Read More

How to Develop a Spiritual Success Partner

1. Identify a woman who is "like minded," who has... Read More

Is It Real?

If any man be in Christ, he is a new... Read More

A Man Called Jesus

(Channelled)I have been trying to ignore this title "A Man... Read More

The Meaning of Life

Recently I was watching a re-run of "Everybody Loves Raymond".... Read More

See You At Midnight: Strategy For Terrific Speed To Greatness!

The gate of every year is the begining of that... Read More

Spirit and the Mind-Body Team

Your mind-body team is made up of your mind and... Read More

Making Our Self Real

"Self-Actualization" is the process of making our self "actual." Our... Read More

Home of God

The first hymn of Isha Upanishad says - whatever living... Read More

What Does Unconditional Love Really Mean?

Unconditional love means unconditional freedom. Love and freedom are two... Read More

True Will

Some may ask what is the true will of God... Read More

The Trust We Must Have to Manifest What We Truly Desire

Some of my greatest teachers have taught me that faith... Read More

Picture This (Part One)

Picture this state of existence in your mind by closing... Read More

What Exactly is Grace?

This question, "what is grace" plagued me more into knowing... Read More

Getting Back to the Basics of Truth

Anyone who has invested time, energy and effort into finding... Read More

How Big is God?

WOW ... what a question. But today, while I was... Read More

Relationship Advice: What Bewitched Can Teach Us About Successful Relationships

Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell recently starred in the movie... Read More

Time Changes-- Spring Forward Or Fall Back!

In the game of billiards there are two things you... Read More

7 Ways to Stay Spiritually Balanced

When we find spirituality, or it finds us, the experience... Read More

CEROMANCY: The Fine Art of Candle Reading

Lately, I have been asked a lot of questions in... Read More

The Breath of Life

The earth is wrapped in a thin, loose shell of... Read More

Who Has The Greatest Job In The World?

I have, in my opinion, the world's perfect job. Just... Read More

Spiritual Awakening

As we proceed further into the 21st century there is... Read More

Motivated By All The Wrong Reasons

Sometimes trying to be spiritual holds us back from actually... Read More

The Reality of Fairies

No, I have never seen a fairy, an angel, nor... Read More

Our King Complex

When King David was old and well advanced in years?... Read More

Penthouse or Basement? The Spiritual Realm is Topsy-Turvy

Am I dreaming? The sign outside the skyscraper reads: "Spiritual... Read More