An Angel of Hara

Author unknown

She came early one morning. We had been in our Hara home on a quiet one-lane street for only a couple of weeks. The gently falling rain was refreshing. Before getting a cup of coffee and sitting down to read my Bible I had gone out to pick a few flowers for Kerry.

The block cement wall in our front yard was high. When I got up close I could see over on to the road and no one was about ... just a little old Pun tribal lady slowly shuffling up the road. As I picked the last few flowers and headed back inside I passed our grated gate.

She saw me then and called out! Reluctantly I turned back. Sure enough, she had a story and wanted some money. Two weeks earlier she claimed to have gone to the doctor. She had used all her money on medicine but was worse off yet. Now she was on her way to see him again. Her only resources were two daughters and, of course, they were living in the far-off capital!

Not yet familiar with the local alcoholics, I decided to foist her off on the Swarbricks next door. They would recognize her if she were a regular deadbeat or drinker. But when it became apparent that no one was stirring over there, I looked in my pocket. I had a fifty and a hundred-rupee note. Calculating that the doctor would cost her fifty or less, reluctantly I stuck my hand through the grate with this generous amount. Bowing her head in respect, she cupped her hands.

Beggars are at your door every day and I can deal with them. But it's the deadbeats who are the biggest problem. As soon as you give them something they ask for more! Most irritating, however, if you refuse to give more, the conversation can turn decidedly unpleasant ... and today I wanted a good start for the day.

Dropping the fifty in her hands I turned for the door. If she said anything, I would pretend I just didn't hear and keep on going! Then from behind me I was stunned by softly spoken words, 'Thank you Jesus! Thank you Jesus!'

There were very few Pun believers and I knew of none living nearby. My momentum was already up as my confused brain grappled with what my ears had heard. I was part way to the door when I thought to myself, 'Jerk! You should have given her a hundred rupees so she could have gotten some medicine!' Stopping, I turned and walked back to the gate intending to give her my hundred-rupee note. I looked down the street to call out to her, but she wasn't there!! I could see clearly into the yard next door as well as across the street ... no one ... no one at all.

I felt sad that I had muffed this opportunity. Meanwhile I was mystified at how she could have disappeared so quickly. Anyway, I thought, as soon as she is well she will come back to thank me, or at least I will meet her again on the street. Though I yearned to see her and kept a careful look out, it never happened! As I pondered it all, the tiny details of the encounter little by little began to form a picture. It took on a pattern with the fragrance of Hebrews 13:2 ... 'and they entertained angels unaware.'

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