An Angel in Disguise

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.  ~Psalm 91:9-11

Michelle sat on the airplane pondering her predicament.  A few weeks ago, her son had called and asked her to come and help with the kids, while he and his wife packed for their upcoming move to a new home.  Michelle was glad to do it.  Since she and her husband Jake had moved to Texas a few years ago, she didn’t see her children as often as she used to.  Michelle was especially looking forward to spending time with her granddaughters, whose company she thoroughly enjoyed.

Although Jake often made her travel arrangements, Michelle had flown to Tampa many times and decided she would make her own reservations this time.  She looked up available flights, compared prices, and decided it would be less expensive to fly to Orlando and rent a car, then it would be to fly directly to Tampa.  Michelle booked her flight and reserved her rental car, feeling confident that she had made the best arrangements possible—until she looked closely at her itinerary a few days later.

Michelle had not paid enough attention to the time of day her flight would be landing.  The flight she thought was a morning flight, would actually land in Orlando at 11:30 PM.  She would’t be able to pick up her rental car at that hour, so she would need to find a hotel for the night.  She called the rental agency and changed her reservation and then went online to book a hotel room.  Jake only wanted her staying at hotels with indoor access—no motels, so Michelle found a place that looked like one her husband would approve of and made her reservation.  And then she began to pray for God’s protection.

Now, as Michelle glanced out the window and saw the runway lights getting closer and brighter, she continued her prayer.  She asked God to surround her with His protection.  She asked Him to send the right person to pick her up from the airport.  She asked God to be with her so that she didn’t feel alone and afraid.  And she believed her prayer would be answered.

By the time Michelle was off the plane and had retrieved her luggage, it was after midnight.  She found her way to the taxi area and went outside to find her ride to the hotel.  Only one taxi stood waiting at the curb.  She looked around for the driver and saw a very large and intimidating man waiting by his cab.  Her first thought was, “Well, I could out run him, but if he grabs me or sits on me, I’m a goner.”  The driver spoke up when he saw her.  “Do you need a ride?”  When Michelle replied that she did, he asked her where she was going.  She gave him the information and he told her it was only a couple of miles away.

With a little bit of hesitation, Michelle walked over to the cab.  The driver put her luggage in the trunk and opened the door for her to sit in the back seat.  When they were both inside, the driver started the car and turned on the radio.  After turning the volume way up, he began to sing, “It Is Well with My Soul” in a beautiful gospel-style baritone voice.  Chills raced through Michelle’s body as she listened to the music.

Sensing Michelle’s surprise, the cab driver looked back at her in the rearview mirror and said, “I’m sorry.  I should’ve asked.  Is this music okay?” Michelle quickly answered, “Yes.  You don’t know it, but you were heaven sent.” The driver looked at her in the mirror and said matter-of-factly, “Yes, I was.”  And then he gave her a smile that she would always remember. 

Within a couple of minutes, they arrived at the hotel where Michelle had made a reservation.  Only it wasn’t a hotel—it was a motel.  The lobby doors were locked and an arrow pointed the way to a window around the corner.  The driver walked her to the window, which was made of bullet-proof class with an opening barely large enough to pass her license through.  She paid for the room and received her key.  Since the room was on the second floor, she asked about an elevator and was told there were none.

Michelle’s suitcase was too heavy for her to carry up the stairs, so the cab driver offered to carry it for her.  As they climbed the stairs, the driver told her that the rooms at this motel were usually rented by the hour.  When they reached the second floor,  the driver pointed to her room, which was only a few feet away.  She walked to the door and paused.  The driver rolled her suitcase to her and said, “I’m not going to hurt you.  I’m going to stay right here and wait for you to lock the door.  I want to hear two clicks.  After the door is locked, I want you to push the table in front of the door and put your suitcase on top.  I’m going to wait here for a little while.  You will be okay.”

Michelle turned toward the door, but before she opened it the driver tossed his business card to her and said, “Here’s my card.  I want you to call me in the morning when you are ready to leave. Don’t call the cab company.  Call me.  I’m not working, but I will pick you up and take you to the airport.”

And he did.

This amazing story actually happened to my best friend just a few weeks ago.  For privacy, I changed the names of the people involved.  I shared the story, with her blessing, because it is so powerful, and because it really made me think.  I’ve prayed for protection for family, friends, and myself.  I’ve even prayed for angels.  But I’m not sure I really believed God would send one.

I’d love for you to share your thoughts.  Do you believe my friend had an encounter with a real angel?  Do you believe the driver was an ordinary man, who answered a call from God to go to the airport and be there for my friend? Or was it something else? Did God actively answer her prayer for protection?  I believe He did.

Be blessed!