A Lesson on Resilence: An Angel Message

The Angel of Resilience reminded me of a lesson my husband, Elliot, and I learned many years ago.  While living in Virginia Beach, we were driving along Bird Neck Road one windy morning when we saw an unusual sight.   

Uncle Sam’s over-sized  RED, WHITE, and BLUE striped TOP HAT was rolling along the curbside--

keeping pace with the ongoing traffic!  The bareheaded Liberty Tax  man stood on the corner, his striped trousers flapping like a pair of  patriotic flags in the wind.

It didn't seem like a good omen for Uncle Sam to lose his hat.  Like two super heroes, we playfully set out to restore justice.  Laughing, we tracked the colorful TOP HAT as it rolled safely by the curb.  The momentum kept up for quite a distance as if it had a life force of its own. 

Then up ahead, it suddenly came to a stop. 

This was my chance!  I jumped out of the car, making a run for it.  

But just as I reached for the wide blue brim, the wind playfully whisked it from my imminent grasp. Down the curbside, it rolled like a wheel on its merry way, with me lagging behind.   

A tease,  it stopped several more times.  

 

But, again, before I could grab it, away it spun.  

 

I began to feel like a fool chasing an illusive butterfly.  Embarrassed and winded, I gave up and returned to the car. 

But then something made us continue the pursuit...as the colorful hat rolled ahead of us down the road.   Then we watched in dismay as it suddenly changed direction, and spun out on the busy road.  Artfully it dodged several tires, and luck soon ran out.  

Flattened like a patriotic pancake, Uncle Sam's hat laid in the road. 

 Our mission had been foiled. We were ready to give up the chase.  

But to our surprise, a sudden gust of wind popped that lifeless old hat back into shape, as good as new!  
We laughed, and the chase was on again.  

Another break came when unexpectedly it rolled into a parking lot and stopped, right side up.   The game was over.

 Elliot sped into the lot and pulled up beside the wide brimmed hat. Quickly, he opened the driver's door and reached down to nab the prize.  Victory! Mission accomplished. 

Before long, a smiling Uncle Sam was once again gratefully reunited with his top hat, thanks to the angels who helped us keep at it.     

   

That playful lesson brings to mind how sometimes we may be so close to reaching a goal when suddenly it is whisked away, leaving us feeling completely crushed. But just like that patriotic top hat, the Holy Spirit (often described as the Wind or Breath of God) will suddenly breathe new life into us, and we will pop back into shape, ready to roll on to victory.  

So the angels remind us: Don't ever give up!  The best is yet to be.

Love and peace,


Rae Karen