I Believe in Angels ... and Prayer: Some Thoughts
by: Judi Amey

Last Saturday we ran a story, I Believe in Angels ... and Prayer, by Angel Friend, Libby Branton. Libby is the mother of, Brian, a young man who was the victim of a brutal robbery and shooting two years ago. Libby testifies to her own experience of God's hand touching herself and her family throughout the ordeal. She provided us with much detail, making Brian's story far to long for one column.

One of the hard parts of being an editor is deciding what to print and what to leave out when cuts are necessary. Much thought and prayer went into those decisions while I edited Libby's story. I feel strongly that, since we have the space this week, we should run some of the detail left out of the original story. If you missed I Believe in Angels ... and Prayer, look for it at: http://geocities.datacellar.net/Heartland/Meadows/4798/ (Look for "Saturday Ramblins Archive" on the AF home page.)

While delivering pizza at about 1:00 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, Brian was struck on the left side of his face causing bruising, and severe cuts to the right side of his mouth. He was also shot once, in the left thigh. This bullet penetrated through his leg, leaving a clear exit wound. Police indicated reports of two more shots fired. In the scuffle, Brian's glasses were knocked off (he is very nearsighted). The police said the assailants, who were caught and are being punished, intended to kill Brian.

The thieves grabbed Brian's wallet and pager, but he was able to hold on to the truck's ignition key. Despite a bullet wound completely through his left leg, Brian somehow managed to get into his standard transmission truck and drive, without his glasses, back to Dominos. He was away from the store a total of 18 minutes.

The more I considered the detail of this horrible assault, the more I saw angelic presence. First in the presence of family, friends and coworkers for Libby as she kept vigil in the hospital. Then in the ambulance personnel, doctors and nurses who treated Brian. Finally, in the clear x-rays and CT scan, which eliminated the fear of permanent brain damage. But it was Libby's statement, "I know in my heart that Brian's guardian angel was certainly keeping watch over him in those predawn hours," that kept her story in my mind.

Here there are so many miracles. I drove stick shift automobiles for years. I cannot imagine using a clutch with a bullet wound entirely through my leg. Brian must have been nearly blind without his glasses and with severe facial injuries—not to mention with pain. He must have had an angelic driver. The additional two shots reported, I think, say a great deal about the hand of God and the protection of angels. Those shots were fired at close range—no wonder the doctors feared substantial brain injury—yet neither of those shots hit Brian. Praise God for his amazing grace in Brian's life!

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