Blessed by an Angel by Dave Brown


The following is a true story of an experience I had shortly in intensive care recovering from my open heart surgery.

It was a dark night with very little light.  I could possibly blame the state of my mind on the fact that I woke up after a short sleep and was quite uncomfortable after being in the same position all day.  The prospect of remaining in this uncomfortable position throughout the night was one I could not tolerate.  Ignoring my condition, which literally prevented me from doing anything, I decided to take the situation into my own hands and just "get up."  This was not at all possible just a few days after my surgery, but I was in such a confused state of mind that I decided to forge ahead with my plan without concern to my own well-being.  I just could not stand the idea of being in this position any longer.  I recognize now that this was irrational given my condition.

My attempts at breaking out were futile and I could barely get out from under the covers. But I had managed to attract attention to myself.

I heard a male voice say: "You are in danger of causing great harm to yourself.  You had open heart surgery just a few days ago, and if you continue, you will severely injure yourself.  There is no way that you can get up.  Settle down and get some sleep.  

It was then that I realized what I was trying to do bordered on insanity.  I realized from this taste of insanity that I had better just give it up.

I laid there for a few minutes not at all satisfied with my situation, wondering what would become of me.  It was then that I notice a nurse assistant coming toward me in the dark.  She was not assigned to me, nor me to her.  In the darkness I could not see any of her features, but I could tell that she was a black woman, as were most of the nurse assistants.

Without a word, she began to wash my arms and legs, and before she finished she gave me what they call "a bath," which they are skillfully able to administer while the patient is largely flat on his back.  She did not say anything, but I asked her name and she told me.  When she had completed the bath she walked away much as she had arrived.  I thanked her for helping me and realized that I could now enjoy drifting off to sleep.

She did not have to do what she did, and it seemed to me that she knew far more about the love of Jesus than did I.  I immediately thanked God for her mercy, and I have not stopped thanking God since.  Clearly prior to helping me I was practically out of my mind, and that is not a pleasant place to be.

I am not sure just what I would have done had she not come to my rescue.  She saw someone in need, and without any instruction, she responded to it with the skills she had available. I am sure you agree that when I call her an angel, I am not exaggerating, since she is as close to a messenger of God that I will ever encounter in this life.  May God bless her in every way possible.