Once a month I’m trying to blog about how my love of books relates to my love of God. When I got the Kreativ Blogger Award a couple of weeks ago I had to write 10 random things about myself. Some of you may recall this one:
When I was 11 yrs old I prayed to God to show me a sign that He loved me (I was severely depressed) . . . and when I woke up the next morning, an angel was in my room, on his knees, with his hands folded in prayer, smiling & looking up at me. We stared at each other for a moment, then I closed my eyes & said, “Thank you, Jesus, and please don’t ever show me that again” b/c ok, it was kinda scary? And then he was gone, but I KNEW there was a purpose for my life:)
Welllllllll, that’s not the end of the story. At the time, I never told anyone about it for fear that I’d be taken away in a little white van, strapped to a bed. I finally told my husband and his best bud one night when I was 17. They laughed hysterically, making fun of the fact I saw him dressed in blue (didn’t mention that above) & was I watching Smurfs before I went to bed, and yada yada yada. At the time, none of us were Christians but I knew what I saw was fo real yo. Flash forward a year later, Dan & I are married & attending the University of Central Florida. One day while I was bored in-between my 2 classes, I stopped at the on campus Barnes & Noble & perused their Religious section, picking up a book called Angel Power & flipping to page 100 (for some reason, I’ve always like to read the first page and page 100 of a book to see if I want to buy it). Here’s a quote from page 100 of that book, talking about the diary of a German woman who saw angels:
“The Guardian Angels of children are exquisitely lovely. They are dressed in blue and always are seen with their hands folded in prayer.”
Got goosebumps yet? I know I did. Of course I bought the book! I was amazed at how personal God can be, that out of 6 billion people on earth, he brought me full circle, leading me to a book that described my experience, on page 100 no less!! Needless to say, hubby never doubted my sanity again (joke’s on him b/c I’ve truly lost my mind since then;)
So, what about you? Do you believe in angels, or are they just another book character? One fellow writer I know who believes and writes about them is newly published author Heather Burch. Stop by here next week to hear her perspective on the whole process, & earn a first page critique from her & maybe even her book! Sidenote: For the first time, I’m writing a fantasy YA & angels are in it, baby! It’s been a lot of fun.
Jamie Ayres 
I think you are crazy. Completely and totally. But I believe you.
I agree with Kaylee. Totally and completely.
I LOVE it, Jamie!
I loved your prequel post with the 10 random things and love this sequel even more. So great how God answered your prayer — both of them, actually,because you haven’t seen another angel since, right? But hmmm, if you’re writing about them in your next YA novel, maybe you need to see more of them? You know, for research???
Keep us informed. Meanwhile, I look forward to your next love of God/love of books post.
Diana
Why yes! I do believe. I don’t necessarily think they will come when called or visit us in such a tangible way as yours did, but at those times when I really needed guidance or a helping hand or just plain being saved (which has happened, and not just once or twice, I might add), my angel was there. I do feel protected and angels are the very hand of God.
And Jamie, that was a lovely story, by the way.
Your story gave me goosebumps. It was beautifully written, and I absolutely believe you. How and why might lie beyond our range of understanding, but I think angels do exist.
Maybe that’s why they show up in my stories all the time. I can’t wait to read more about yours!
I believe in Angels and I believe in you. Hugs!
aww, sweet 🙂
Jamie, I got goosebumps reading this post. I so believe in guardian angels and angels. Thank you for renewing my faith in angels.
What a completely awesome story! And yes, I did get goosebumps:)
I wholeheartedly believe in angels. My little sister died when she was five and it really messed my whole family up. My parents were separated, my older brother and sister were on a road to who knows where and one night my little sister visited my older sister and told her she was pregnant with a baby girl and better straighten her life out because she had a baby to take care of and a family to strengthen.
Later that month, she found our she was pregnant. It was a girl. It changed her life and our family has never been stronger because of her faith.
I just love stories like that:) Thanks for sharing yours Jamie!
Of course I believe in angels! Thank you for sharing your experience. 🙂
I definitely believe in angels!
Fantasy ya with angels! Sounds so fun! I love your blog. And thanks for visiting mine. You’re a cool chick. Heather
Thanks for all your comments & shared experiences. I received many more private emails on the subject so it seems this struck a cord. So glad angels are at work among us. You’re all angels in my eyes for sure:):):)
I totally got chills! And I DO believe in spirits which freaks me out even more cuz they, supposedly, make themselves visible to those who are open to them. I’m fascinated by ppl born with “veils” but have always considered myself too chicken to ever desire to have such a gift. Great post, Jamie…thought provoking 🙂
Yes, I love angels in fantasy books. There’s one in my current book!
I believe in angels, although I believe God often puts them in unexpected forms.
That is so cool! Serendipity at its finest. Did you know that in the Bible angels are never described as having wings? True.
When we transform this life and enter heaven,we are to be like the angels. i like this thought… it’s very comforting. I do not necessarily believe angels come down to earth to help us, but I do believe that with prayer, God works in wonderful ways and assists us when we invite him into our lives.
I loved this story the very first time you told it to me and I still do! Goosebumps! 🙂