"In an interview broadcast on FOX News 11 Jun 10, Denise Gaines, a survivor of flash flooding in Arkansas, related that she was awoken by the sound of fluttering wings. She said that she believed she was awakened by an angel of God. As Gaines awoke, she saw water rushing into the cabin and she took action to alert her family. The family exited the cabin and found themselves back to back, holding onto a tree until the waters began to recede.
In an Associated Press article published by the Seattle Times on 11 Jun 10, Gaines was quoted as saying, “"I thought it must have been an angel that woke me up."
The Associated Press article also related the story of Marc and Stacy McNeil of Marshall, Texas. The article related that the Marshalls “were on their first night of camping with a group of seven, staying in tents.” The article quoted Stacy McNeil who said, "We huddled together and prayed like we'd never prayed before." The Marshalls were able to walk to safety after the rain subsided.
While Gains believed she was alerted by a guardian angel and the McNeils believe their prayers for safety were answered, not all were so fortunate. According to an Associated Press article published in the Chicago Sun-Times, 12 Jun 10, at least 17 people perished in the flood.
Some might ask, why did God send guardian angels to some and not others? The answer is only known to God. It is a question pondered by mankind through many disasters. Some believe that stories of guardian angels are simply the result of attempting to explain narrow misses of tragedy, still, there are numerous stories from people who are positive that they were guided or saved by a guardian angel. Catholic Online contains an “Angel Stories” section where many have posted where they have recognized angels watching over their lives.
Another web site, Archive X, also contains a collection of reader contributed stories of angels. The Archive X introduction explains, “Angels are considered to be divine messengers, a being sent by God to impart a message. The message may be as simple as it's not your time, yet.” Archive X explains that most of the stories related are of such circumstances or where people were rescued from car crashes or drowning. The introduction continues, “Other stories tell how something -- which can only be described as divine intervention -- gently guided someone out of harm's way.”
According to New Advent, “The angels of the Bible generally appear in the role of God's messengers to mankind. They are His instruments by whom He communicates His will to men,....” In reference to angels as personal guardians, New Advent explains, “Throughout the Bible we find it repeatedly implied that each individual soul has its tutelary angel. Thus Abraham, when sending his steward to seek a wife for Isaac, says: "He will send His angel before thee" (Genesis 24:7).
Cited Articles and Posts
Seattle Times (11 Jun 10)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2012095218_flood12.html
Chicago Sun-Times (12 Jun 10)
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/2384966,CST-NWS-floods12.article
Catholic Online (Not Dated)
http://www.catholic.org/saints/angelstories/read.php
Archive X (Not Dated)
http://www.wirenot.net/X/Angelindex.shtml
New Advent (Not Dated)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01476d.htm
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