An Angel in Their Midst

An Angel in Their Midst
(by Willie Gendke)


It started just as any other Sunday morning. Sunday School was over, and people were entering the sanctuary, pausing on their way to their pew to speak a few words with friends. Most members of this congregation were professional people – doctors, lawyers, teachers. They were the reason for the church’s reputation, that of being a rich man’s church. Although the town was small, it was the county seat, and most of the leaders of the county were members here. Little did anyone realize that God was about to send an angel into their midst, an angel that would radically change the people of this church.

Suddenly the sanctuary began to grow quiet as one after another turned from their conversations with friends and began to stare at a man who was entering. The man who had just entered began to shuffle across the front, then down the aisle, looking for a place to sit. He was sporting a 3 or 4 day old growth of beard, his clothing was dirty and wrinkled, his shoes caked with dried mud. Following the man came an extremely obese woman, walking several steps behind, just as unkempt as the man. From the vacant look in the woman’s eyes and her general countenance, it was obvious that she was severely mentally retarded. After her, came a girl of about 10, also with a blank look on her face, also obviously retarded. Trailing the others, a little boy about 5 years old, entered the sanctuary. The boy and girl were also filthy.

The boy was small for his age, very pale, and very much deformed. A back brace was strapped over the boy’s shirt, trying vainly to straighten a back severely disfigured. His head, also malformed, was much too large for his body. His gait was awkward, as if his arms and legs didn’t know how to work together to propel him where he wanted to go.

The man looked around, then chose a pew. He entered, woman, girl, and little boy following. As soon as they were all settled, the man took out a hymnal and began to flip through the pages. The other three just sat quietly, as if they were not quite sure what to do.

The church members who were already sitting on the pew took one look at this family, got up and moved to another pew. Very quickly others in the sanctuary began to whisper among themselves: who was this man and what was he doing in their church?

As soon as the service was over, people began to crowd the aisle in an effort to leave. One woman turned to another and said in a voice directed to the man, “Who are they? I sure hope they don’t come to our Sunday School class.” The other woman agreed that she too, hoped that they would not.

A third woman, Liza, began to make her way out of the pew where she had been sitting, heading directly toward the man. Liza had recognized the woman, had actually ridden the school bus with her many years earlier. As she drew near the woman, she called the woman by her name, Gretta. Gretta looked over, but didn’t seem to recognize Liza. Liza began to explain who she was, trying to help Gretta remember her from years earlier. Finally, Gretta remembered Liza, and began to tell Liza about her husband, Johnny, and her children, Betty and Billy. Liza invited Gretta and her family to her Sunday School class, and told Gretta that if she would come early the next Sunday, that she would be waiting for her and show her the way to the class so that she wouldn’t get lost.

The next Sunday morning, Gretta and her family found Liza waiting for them at the church door just as she had promised. Not everyone in Liza’s Sunday School class was happy about Liza bringing in this new family. Not everyone was happy when this family entered the sanctuary again this second Sunday, either. Some members were so upset by this family being in the church that they told friends that if this family continued to come, they would move their membership elsewhere: they didn’t want their children to have to associate with such people.

The following Sunday, Johnny and Gretta, with their children, responded to the altar call and asked to become members of the church on promise of a letter stating that they were members in another church of the same denomination. The pastor of the church asked Johnny and Gretta to meet with him the following day in his office. He had serious questions he wanted to put to them both before he presented them before the church body to vote on their membership. During that meeting, the pastor was first surprised, then shocked and disgusted to find that Johnny was a licensed minister through a seaman’s ministry in a large port city. For the pastor, being called of God to lead a congregation was something that should be limited to people who were worthy, not people like Johnny, who were so obviously on at the bottom rungs of society. Nevertheless, because of the church’s by-laws, the pastor was obligated to present this man, with his severely retarded wife and children, as candidates for membership in this church.

Several Sundays passed, and the family continued to visit Liza’s Sunday School class, then attend worship service. Many people were growing more hostile to this family, but not all. In fact, those who were in Liza’s Sunday School class began to talk about Johnny. Johnny was indeed a simple man, that was plain to see. And he and his family continued to come without the benefit of a bath or clean clothes most Sundays. But what was causing people to talk was what Johnny was saying during class. For although his speech was coarse and uneducated, what he was saying had a spiritual maturity and depth that belied this man’s physical circumstances. In fact, Liza was overheard to say that when Johnny opened his mouth, he sounded as if he has just come from sitting at the very foot of the throne of God Himself. Others began to visit Liza’ class, wanting to hear for themselves what Johnny had to say. Before long, people all over the church were hearing stories of Johnny.

Shortly after this, during one morning worship service, the altar was opened for all who wanted to approach and pray. Johnny and Gretta made their way down to the altar, along with many others. But as Gretta knelt, it became very obvious that her skirt was much too short and tight to provide the covering necessary. A deacon in the church saw what was happening and hastily moved behind Gretta to prevent the cameras from broadcasting a picture all over the county that would be embarrassing to all.

Because of this incident, as soon as worship service was over that morning, several members of Liza’s Sunday School class met and decided to take Gretta shopping the next day to find clothing large enough to cover the necessities. Because the children were also very poorly dressed, the members decided to buy clothes for them as well.

As the members began to become personally involved in this family, they learned that the mobile home the family lived in needed massive repairs. Soon members from through out the church were involved in making life a little easier for Johnny and his family. New carpet was installed in the mobile home, new mattresses were bought for the beds (both children wet the bed at night and the mattresses were soaked with urine), winter clothing, shoes, food, appliances, everything the family needed was provided. Helping Johnny and his family became the favorite ministry of the church members. And Johnny continued to amaze all who heard him with his spiritual understanding.

Johnny and his family had been attending the church for almost a year when Billy’s doctors told Johnny that Billy would most surely die if he didn’t have an operation right away. Billy’s scoliosis had progressed to a point where a simple fall could cause his ribs to puncture his lungs, causing almost instant death. Unfortunately, the doctors only gave Billy a 5% chance of surviving the surgery. The news went through the church like a wild fire. Billy’s birthday was the day before he was to leave for the hospital, so plans were quickly made to give Billy the best birthday party ever. More than 30 adults and 42 children showered Billy with so many presents that Billy grew exhausted before he could open them all. So, they were packed into the cars of several of the members and taken to Billy’s house for him to have when he returned from the hospital.

The next morning at 8, twelve members of the church met at Billy’s house to pray for him before he left for the hospital, three hours away. Most of the twelve had planned on traveling to the hospital with Billy and his family, but circumstances had caused them to have to change their plans. All except one, that is.

Sherrell had been looking forward to the trip, especially as the others who were to go were friends. However, when she learned that none of her friends would be going, she decided not to go as well, not because she couldn’t, but because she didn’t want to be there alone with Johnny and his family. She was afraid that people at the hospital would think she was part of his family, and that just wouldn’t do. But God had something else in mind.

The night before Johnny’s family was to leave for the hospital, Sherrell was awakened from a deep sleep. In her mind, she heard the words, “The demons are rejoicing.” Lying in the dark, still only half awake, the words came again, “The demons are rejoicing.” “What does that mean?” she thought to herself. Then, “God, if you are trying to tell me something, I don’t understand.” Again she heard, “The demons are rejoicing.” “Why are they rejoicing?” she asked, not really expecting an answer. But the answer that came sent her reeling. “The demons are rejoicing because you have decided not to go, so there will be no one to stand in the gap for Johnny and his family.” Shaken to the bone, Sherrell knew there was only one thing she could do, and that was to go with Johnny and his family to the hospital even if no one else went with them. But just to make sure that no one would think that she was part of Johnny’s family, Sherrell decided that she would carried her biggest bible and make sure that everyone knew that she was there to minister to the family, and not a part of it.

It was the morning of Billy’s surgery. The church had opened at 5 a.m. so that people could come in and pray for Billy. Already there were several there, waiting to get in. At the hospital, Johnny was carrying Billy from the car towards the hospital, when all of a sudden Billy said, “No, daddy. Want to go home.” Although Billy had just turned 6, this was the first time he had spoken more than one word at a time. Johnny was so surprised and happy at this new development that he just beamed as he told Billy that they would go home soon, but first they had to see the doctor.

The surgery went better than anyone could have hoped. The doctors were simply brimming over with cheer as they described how well Billy had done. Sherrell decided that with the doctor’s good prognosis for Billy, she would go on home to be with her own family.

The next morning word came that Billy wasn’t doing nearly as well as he had been the day before. Instead of moving Billy to a room as the doctor’s had planned the day before, he would have to stay in intensive care. Johnny sounded so distraught while talking on the phone with Sherrell, that Sherrell decided to return to the hospital. This time she left her big bible at home and took a small, pocket bible instead.

When Sherrell arrived at the hospital, she was surprised to find that Johnny was being sought out by parents of other children who were in critical condition. Already he was being described as the little man who would pray for anyone who asked. Even doctors and nurses were stopping by, asking prayer for particular patients.

In spite of everything that the doctors could do, Billy continued to worsen. Sherrell remained at the hospital for days, doing what she could to comfort Johnny. Soon it was time for her to leave for a conference in Glorieta, New Mexico, where Henry Blackaby was teaching “Experiencing God, Knowing and Doing the Will of God.” Johnny knew that Sherrell had planned on going to the conference, and encouraged her to go, saying he felt that God had something special for her there. Sherrell was reluctant, but finally agreed to go.

The next morning as Sherrell was packing her suitcase, she had this overwhelming sensation that she should read the book of Daniel. In it, she read where the angel appeared unto Daniel, telling Daniel that his prayers had been heard from the first, but that the angel had been delayed by the prince of the kingdom of Persia for twenty-one days. (Dan. 10) Immediately, it was as if God was telling her that Johnny would receive an answer to his prayers for Billy on the twenty-first day. Hurriedly, she phoned Johnny to share the news with him, but Johnny was not nearly as excited as Sherrell was. Nevertheless, Sherrell left for Glorieta with a heart lighter than it had been in days.

In Glorieta, Sherrell had the opportunity to share with others there about Billy’s plight. Soon, it was as if all 3500 conference attendees were praying for Billy. Sherrell couldn’t go anywhere without being stopped by people who wanted to know how “our boy is doing.” The day before end of the conference, a woman who had been sitting across the table from Sherrell during the week asked to speak with Sherrell privately. After they moved to a quiet spot on the balcony, the woman turned to Sherrell and said, “I think God wants me to tell you something. God wants you to let Billy go.”

Sherrell felt as if the air had been knocked out of her. How could this be? God had had her praying for Billy like she had never prayed for anyone before in her whole life. And how she was supposed to let him go? What did that mean? Then the woman said, “I knew I was supposed to tell you the first day we were here, but I knew you wouldn’t receive it.”

Sherrell thanked the woman, and assured her that she would consider it, but inside she simply didn’t believe that it could possibly be a message from God.

Sherrell spent a sleepless night. As dawn was breaking, she finally was able to pray that God’s will be done, regardless of the outcome. But it was the hardest prayer she had ever muttered. She then decided to get dressed and go to the office to see if there had been any recent word about Billy. It was then that she learned that Billy had died about 10 minutes after she had prayed that difficult prayer.

This being the last day of the conference, everyone was busy with packing and saying goodbyes. As Sherrell was discussing the events surrounding Billy with a friend, it came to her that the day the woman had told her that she had a message for her from God had been the twenty-first day since Billy’s surgery. It was she who was to receive the message, not Johnny as she had thought. Immediately she went looking for the woman. When she told the woman about believing that Johnny was going to receive a message from God on the twenty-first day, but instead it had been herself, the woman broke into tears. “This is the first time I’ve ever been affirmed that I’ve actually heard from God,” she cried.

The next day was Billy’s funeral. The funeral home seated about 200 people. There wasn’t even standing room inside; many, many people had to remain outside during Billy’s service. There were many, many who made the trip to the cemetery. When it was time to go, Johnny refused to leave. “I can’t leave Billy here, he’s afraid of the dark,” Johnny said over and over again. Several men from the church had to physically pick up Johnny and put him into the van for the return trip to the church. Even then, one man had to guard the side door, as Johnny repeated tried to jump out so he could return to Billy.

Several hundred attended the family meal held in the fellowship hall of the church. Even so, there was enough food left over to feed a small army.

Sunday morning began like most Sunday mornings. Sunday School was over and people were entering the sanctuary, when all of a sudden, Johnny, followed by Gretta and Betty came in the same door they had come in that very first time, and made their way down the aisle looking for a place to set. Only this time, instead of people moving away to avoid this family, people gathered around to express their condolences. One deacon was particularly surprised that Johnny had chosen to come this day. Just the day before, he had been distraught almost to the point of being out of his mind, his eyes blood shot, his hair uncombed, his face unshaved. But today, he had obviously bathed, shaved, and put on fresh clothes. “Johnny,” said the deacon, “I wasn’t expecting to see you here today.” “I had to come,” answered Johnny. “Just like David, he prayed for God to spare his son, but when God didn’t, David got up and cleaned himself up and went to praise the Lord. That’s what I’ve come to do, praise the Lord.”

Six weeks later, members were sharing during Wednesday night prayer meeting. The mike was open for anyone who wanted to tell what God was doing in their lives. Suddenly, Johnny got up and began his shuffling way to the podium. There he turned and without any preamble, began to address the congregation.

“Went to see my brother this week end,” he said while looking at no one in particular. “My brother asked me, ‘What do you think about that God of yours now?’”

“What do you mean,” I asked. “What do you think about Him now that he let Billy die?” his brother continued. “I still think the same thing,” Billy said.

Then my brother asked, “Have you ever seen this God of your?”

“At first I said, no, I haven’t ever seen Him. But then I got to thinking, and I said, ‘Yes, I’ve seen Him. I’ve seen Him in the Spirit of His love. My family was hungry, and you, my church family fed them. My family needed clothes, and you, my church family, gave us clothes. My family was sick, and you, my church family, visited us. Yes, I’ve seen Him. I’ve seen Him in the Spirit of His love as each of you have shown your love to my family. And I just want to keep on praising the Lord.”

Then, just as he had on that first Sunday morning, Johnny shuffled back down the aisle and sat down.

Epilogue:

The pastor’s younger son was talking with his father about what had happened in the church as a result of Johnny and his family being there. He said to his father, “Do you remember the revival we had a couple of years ago when over 200 youth made professions of faith?”

“Of course I do,” replied the pastor. “Why?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking about it, and I just realized that not one of those youth even come any more.”

“I’m afraid you’re right,” his father replied. “Do you have any idea why?”

“Well, that’s what I’ve been thinking about,” his son continued. “We had that big revival and nothing lasting actually happened. People walked the aisle, then went home and seemed to forget about it. But since Johnny and his family came, everything is different.”

“Different how?” asked the pastor.

“Well,” his son said after a long pause, “no one preached a sermon this time about what we as Christians are supposed to do. But somehow, it looks as if everyone finally figured it out. They actually started doing what the bible says instead of just reading about it. Isn’t that awesome?”

“Yes it is,” answered his father, “yes it is.”




Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:

for thereby some have entertained

angels unawares.

Hebrews 13:2



Shalom,

Willie Gendke

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Pure religion and undefiled is THIS.