Angel On Her Shoulder

"It is not known precisely where angels dwell - whether in the air, the void, or the planets.  It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode."  ~Voltaire

Mind you, I am not disputing the wisdom of Voltaire, but I know at least one place where angels dwell.

The moment a baby is born and shrieks its first sound, gulping for air, and wriggling wildly, I believe that at least one of the attending angels wraps itself around the new mother, tenderly caring for her as though she were the Holy Virgin, mother of Jesus. Motherhood is, without a doubt, the most blessed of events in this world. Mothers need all the help they can get, and God promised that kind of help. Angel on her shoulder.


Throughout the lives of her children, a mother never ceases her vigil. Long after they have outgrown the nursery and left the family home, she keeps her post and never fails the watch. Her prayers are seen as incense, rising-rising-rising, until the very throne room of heaven is filled with the sweetness and tenderness that only a mother possesses for her children. Angel on her shoulder.


She learned her art from the Father, Himself. His love keeps her in the grip of grace through long years of uncertainty. Uncertain, because we can never really be sure that we are doing the right thing when it comes to our children. To be sure, only time will tell. Still, we need confidence to meet the trials of the hour with wisdom, love, mercy and grace. Angel on her shoulder.


Mothers are the heart of the family with a smile that her children often compete for. And as the children mature and establish their own homes, they remember with fondness, that smile.
Angel on her shoulder.


In times of childhood sickness and grave illness, mothers fail not in their duties, going without sleep for days on end. Angel on her shoulder.


In times of financial shortcomings, the prom dress still materializes. Angel on her shoulder.


Yes, I surely do know where a few on His holy angels dwell! And this season of the year, when we are commercially bombarded with prompts to "remember Mother," I do, I always do.
In fact, I remember my precious Mama a hundred times a day. And recently the Lord blessed me, as He always does, with a sweet sense of her presence. It came in a song, a lovely song by Francesca Battistelli. It was as though I could hear Mama's voice, and oh! what a beautiful voice she had, singing straight to my own heart. Find it today. Listen to it. Love it. It's a message from all mothers to their children.


Angel By Your Side (as performed by Francesca Battistelli)

"I can't say that everything's okay---
'Cause I can see the tears you're cryin'"


"And I can't promise to take the pain away---
But, you can know I won't stop tryin'"


"I'll be the angel by your side,
I will get you through the night.
I'll be the strength you can't provide on your own."


"'Cause when you're down and out of time,
And you think you've lost the fight---
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side."


"I know it feels like you're running out of faith,
'Cause it's so hard to keep believing,
But, if I can bring a smile back to your face,
For a moment---
You'll forget all about it."


"I'll be the angel by your side,
I will get you through the night.
I'll be the strength you can't provide on your own."


"'Cause when you're down and out of time,
And you think you've lost the fight---
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side."

"'Cause this won't be the last time you need a little hope---
But, I want to be the first to let you know...
"I'll be the angel by your side,
I will get you through the night.
I'll be the strength you can't provide on your own."


"'Cause when you're down and out of time,
And you think you've lost the fight---
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side."

Sorry, Voltaire, but it's okay to be wrong. We can know where angels are---God's angels are created to protect and comfort and guide us, and they do---they most certainly do! And then, there are those wonderful beings, mothers, who are as the angels themselves in their care of us.

I love you Mommie Dearest: always have, always do, always will! Thank you for being the angel by my side today.