Reece Gardner: Angels are among us

Have you ever felt you’ve been visited by an angel?

In a Carnegie Class in Goldsboro a few years ago, Jim Tuberville told about his experience moving to this area. He said, "Five years ago, my wife and I, along with our little 6-month-old baby, were driving on the Highway 70 Bypass around Goldsboro.

“I had lost my job in Florida and had come here hoping to get a job with Georgia Pacific. I was in dire straits, almost completely out of money and driving an old car that was obviously in need of repair. This happened to be one of the hottest days in July I had ever seen, and with no air conditioning, our little baby could have died from the heat.

“Suddenly, there was an explosive sound under the hood and my car's engine stopped.

“I maneuvered over to the other side of the road and there we sat, feeling both hopeless and helpless. Across the median, I saw a car approaching. The lady in that car spotted us, took the next exit, and was soon pulling up behind us.

“She asked, 'Can I help?' to which I replied, 'You certainly can. Do you know if there is a garage anywhere near here?' She told us there was a garage at the very next exit and she would go and have them send a wrecker to us.”

Jim's next utterances were emotion-filled as he said, "Before she left, she gave me an intense look like no other I had ever seen, and then she was gone. Within minutes, a wrecker came, hooked up to our car and we were on our way to the garage. The first thing I did upon reaching the garage was to get my wife and baby in a cool place."

Jim continued, "I then approached the owner and explained to him I was new to this area, did not at present have a job and had very little money. But I assured him if he would repair my car I would, in time, pay him."

Jim said the owner looked rather puzzled and then asked Jim, "Didn't you know the lady who came here to have us tow your car?"

Jim said no, he didn't, to which the owner replied, "Well, I have been in business here for 20 years and I have never seen this lady before, but she gave me $150 to fix your car and that will more than cover the cost of the repairs."

Jim then said, "That's been five years ago and from time to time I visit that garage to ask if they have seen this lady, and they always respond they had never seen her before or since."

Jim then looked out at his audience and said, "Folks, I am as sure as I am standing here tonight that I was visited by an angel on that hot July day out on Highway 70 Bypass."

If we really think about it, I believe most of us will conclude that we, too, are indeed visited by angels on a rather regular basis.

Now for a little humor: Two young men who had never flown before decided to embark on a flight from Florida to New York. While they were talking to each other, they were interrupted by an announcement from the pilot: "Sorry to disturb you all but I think it's best you know that one of our engines has failed.

“But don't worry, we can still make it on three engines, but there'll be a delay of one hour."

The guys began talking again. But soon another announcement was heard: "I regret to inform you our second engine has failed, which will mean another delay of an hour, but we will still make it."

The guys grumbled a bit but not for long as the pilot's voice is heard again: "Unfortunately, our third engine has failed, meaning there will be a delay of yet another hour to our journey,” upon which one of the guys said to the other, "Good Lord, if that last engine fails we'll be up here all night!"