I
mostly finished the “Fruit Heights 7th Ward Relief Society
Neighborhood Angel Experiences.” If you want to get deeply depressed, you can
borrow my copy when I’m done, which is actually my visiting teacher, Jeanne’s
copy, since I didn’t go to the Christmas social and get one myself (or Joy may
have dropped it on my front porch). There are 48 “Angel Experiences” in a
lovely binder compiled by Joy Thomas.
Some people were named;
some were anonymous.
Most were about people who
had done service for them, like bringing in meals, tending children, cleaning
house, gifts, flowers. I love little acts of kindness, little deed of love;
still, it sort of made me sad in two ways:
I
haven’t done much of that for anyone.
No
one has done much of that for me.
Then I thought of one
angel that I don’t think anyone mentioned. It is the Angel who takes care of
her own family, quietly, without fanfare or help, day in and day out, year in
and year out through thick and thin.
The Angel who is
self-reliant, independent, selfless, noble, strong.
The one who doesn’t have
to have a meal brought in with the slightest misfortune; or someone to look
after her children except in dire emergency; the one who can discern a genuine
need like the death of a spouse or child, a divorce, a debilitating illness
whether physical or mental, a severe accident, an addiction, a special-needs
child and many more.
Most people grow out of
their problems, to new ones to be sure, but a few are life-long
responsibilities - twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year
forever and ever. All require
extraordinary courage, faith, hard work, and determination.
Are they the actual angels
among us?
Proverbs
31:10-31 King James Version
10 Who can find a
virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her
husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him
good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool,
and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the
merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also
while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her
maidens.
16 She considereth a
field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her
loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that
her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her
hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out
her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid
of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself
coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is
known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine
linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour
are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her
mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to
the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up,
and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have
done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is
deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit
of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
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