The Grand Central Station Angel

It’s a rare day that I have a chance to watch daytime TV… but today after my morning walk I decided to watch The View while I ate a scrambled egg. 

Whoopie was talking about ghosts and Sherrie shared about her belief in angels. Well…their exchange reminded me of the angel who gave me direction at Grand Central Station a few years ago. 

It was 2001 and the Every Nation NYC Church had recently been planted from Bethel World Outreach Center.   I had been invited to lead worship for their Sunday night service.  Fortunate for me, I served as a worship leader in that young plant for several weeks.   

But…this was the Monday morning after that great church service…and a fellow musician and I desired to pay our respects at ground zero before our noon flight back home.  We had been counseled that the train would be our fastest route. Neither of us had much experience getting around a train station but the mission of our heart won over our lack of experience. 

Along with our map, we carried much apprehension as 9/11 had just occurred 8 weeks before.  I’m not sure about Jimmy but a twinge of fear played in the back of my mind as we entered Grand Central Station without a clue on how to get around. 

Concerned and confused, we tried to decipher the train map. Well…that didn’t work so well.  And people?… people were everywhere… but there are some really scary people at the train station and I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask for help!  Besides, we might as well have been invisible.  We were completely unnoticed in the flurry and scurry of folks moving quickly in and out of the station.

Within a moment’s time, and completely out of the blue, a lady tapped me on the shoulder and asked if we needed help. I said, “yes” and told her where we were heading.  She pointed to the map and told us which train to take…then…POOF…she was gone.  We looked high and low to offer our gratitude, but this angel had vanished. 

Now…I don’t really know if this lady was officially ‘an angel’ or simply a kind soul, but I do know it felt like she was sent from God to guide us in our nervous journey.  Jimmy and I paused and thanked God for sending her and soon discovered there would be no glitches in our excursion. All thanks to the Grand Central Station Angel the Lord sent.   

I’ve visited GSC many times since and always look for her.  I guess since I understand how to get around now…she’s not been deployed.  But I always look! 

So three cheers to any angel who’s willing to help a lost soul!  The world is a kinder and gentler place when we care to help one another out.  I’m not sure there’s enough of that going on.

Has God ever sent an angel to help you?  Tell me how they’ve pointed you in the right direction.  I’d love to hear about it.