Wednesday, May 8, 2024
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Guardian angel
God made the world and all that is in it. It is he who gives to everyone life and breath. The people he made might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us.
At first we thought we’d go swimming and take our fishing poles down to the pool for a little practice before Port Aransas. But the air got hotter, and the time got later, and we took a nice nap instead. Jasper woke up after 90 minutes or so, his black hair pasted to his head. “I’m sweaty, Grandpa.” At least we had pulled off his socks before we read Good Families Don’t, before we fell quickly asleep.
Our “guardian angel” looked down on us through the afternoon heat. Bernard Plockhorn, the artist, was born in Braunschweig, Germany in 1825 and painted his famous angel in his 60’s. This original Braunschweig-er covered the walls of many German churches with his paintings of bible scenes, and “Guardian Angel” was one his personal favorites.
One of our favorites too. Mom hung this picture in her bedroom, between the bathroom and her bed. That little walk became harder and harder for Dad, as the 2000’s began, and then twenty years later for Mom, and this guardian angel watched over all their steps, as now it does ours.
Before she slept, Mom prayed Luther’s evening prayer, which she memorized when she was a young girl during her confirmation classes at Zion Lutheran Church.
I give thanks to you, heavenly Father through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have this day so graciously protected me, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins and the wrong which I have done, and by your great mercy defend me from all the perils and dangers of this night. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all that is mine. May your holy angel be with me, that the wicked one have no power over me. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
I can see Herr Plockhorst praying this prayer. Kneeling beside his own bed, hands stained with the old paint of many years, feeling the presence of The Good Shepherd and the Guardian Angel just above his head, this German Lutheran artist knows how much he is just a man, God’s servant, God’s child, God’s son. He prays the prayer Martin Luther himself prayed, reflects on the finished work of today and the unfinished work of tomorrow. He stands, slips into bed, allows sleep to surround him.
Sometimes it’s just like that for me, too. The pictures and the prayers make so much difference.
I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. When he comes, the Spirit, he will guide you to all truth.
(Acts 17, Psalm 148, John 14, John 16)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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