Angels

“That’s a great DVD player!”
The words were coming from a man and a woman standing behind me. I was in line getting ready to check out of the drugstore and eyeing the stack of boxes which contained the instruments in question. A sign above proudly displayed the price: $79.99.
It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Already the newspapers were filled with full color supplements heralding the full onslaught of the 2002 shopping season. The latest in electronic devices were certainly among the most prominent temptations. As a full-blooded consumer in our “Consumer Society,” I felt it my patriotic duty to study these offerings with great attention. I took special notice of the various kinds of DVD players and the various prices they commanded.
I can honestly tell you that “$79.99” was a pretty good deal, but what about the quality? Would it be broken within the month?
“We bought the exact same player at Sam’s Warehouse about two months ago for twenty dollars more ” continued the woman, “and it’s been just great!”
“That’s one good price!” added the man.
Even as I was wondering if the drugstore had hired these people, I had decided that they must be telling me the truth. After all, Heaven forbid that Mordecai Miller should be a lagging indicator. My patriotic duty lay before me. It was my turn to be served by the cashier.
“I think I’d like to buy one of these DVD players.”
Her reply caught me off guard.
“They’re going on sale this Thursday for $59.99.”
“I think I can wait three days,” I said. “Thanks so much for telling me.”
The box was respectfully returned to its original position. I left the store having purchased what I had originally planned.
Sure enough, that Thursday the players were selling for $20.00 less. I’m only sorry I didn’t buy two!
I remember over ten years ago visiting New York city. I took the opportunity to visit my dad’s grave. I was staying with my sister in Manhattan. The Old Montefiore Cemetery was in Queens. The visit involved catching two subways and then the bus. The subway ride didn’t phase me in the least, but I was totally unfamiliar with the Queens bus system. I had no idea what bus I was supposed to catch, but my sister informed me that the bus stop right near the subway station would have the right bus.
To anyone who says that New Yorkers aren’t friendly to visitors, I can only tell you that the bus driver on the very first bus I checked couldn’t have been more helpful.
“You’ll need a transfer,” he said, punching the ticket I was going to require. “I’ll let you know where to make it and which bus you need to catch.”
I climbed on board and sat as close to him as the law would allow. I arrived at the cemetery without a hitch.
Coming back was no problem. It turned out that it only took one bus to get back to the subway.
The train I caught turned out to be a “Local.” I was rapidly becoming familiar with every station along the line. Finally, we arrived at an “Express” stop. I peered out the window and saw an Express train across the platform. I jumped out of my seat and sprinted towards the train.
At the very same moment a man was running down the platform. As we passed he yelled out, “That train isn’t going anywhere!”
I took another look and saw that there wasn’t a soul on board the Express. I barely had enough time to jump back on the train I’d left, but I was awfully thankful.
All coincidences?
Given the time and space, I could give you quite a few more examples.
Perhaps they are all coincidence. I’d prefer to think that every time we experience some out-of-the-ordinary kindness from a stranger, we’re being touched by an angel.
More importantly; every moment we act with such kindness to strangers, we become messengers of God.
You guessed it...Angels!