"Unlikely Angel"

Just got back from vacation. Now I need a vacation to get over the “vacation.”  Anyway, the highlight of the week was reading Ashley Smith’s book “Unlikely Angel” Remember her? She was the girl who was taken hostage by Brian Nichols…the guy who had just escaped from jail and killed 4 people, including a judge in GA. When the story came out, she said she read to him from “The Purpose Driven Life” and after a 7 hour ordeal this guy let her go in the morning to see her little girl and asked if he could do some stuff around her house. Is that an incredible story or what?

After reading the book, there were a few details that didn’t come out initially. The girl was a drug addict and actually offered some “ice” (crystal meth) to him. However, what is so cool about the book is not so much the news story, but the bigger story…Ashley Smith’s redemption. Right after reading the book, I saw her on the Larry King show and of course, he brought up that there are Christian leaders opposing this book. There are others criticizing her for offering drugs to a criminal…but, as the “experts” try to analyze, scrutinize and psychologize what happened that night – you know what???? I find it absolutely, beautifully refreshing that she was simply “living life” – moving into an apartment, going out for cigarettes… and our Wonderful God, the mighty Creator of the universe was right there, and made Himself known to her…and He used her in a very powerful way.
He tells us that He is a God who is involved in the smallest details of life, yet we find that very difficult to believe. But, God is real and reaches into the depths to save us. She found out that night…it’s true!

Sixteen years ago, I too found out it was true! Reading the details of her “awakening,” it was inspiring… like living mine all over again, when one night, after overdosing on Cocaine for the 3rd or 4th time (I can’t recall), thinking I wasn’t going to make it…I too came to grips with those same truths #1) I was a drug addict #2) I was a pathetic excuse for a mother {I had 3 kids by different fathers, which was exactly how I grew up} #3) They would be far better off without me if I died. Life was out of control and like this girl, I thought the drugs were larger than God, I thought that my inability to get the relationship-thing right was bigger than God…but, I would realize that night that I had a REAL Father and He was much bigger and awesome than any drug or any thing else that had a hold of my life. I have never looked back and I don’t think she will either, because she got to see what many, many people, even Christians, only hope to believe – things aren’t what we thought they were…we’re not who we thought we were! What a blessing to have those ‘moments’ where you know, without a doubt that God is real and His love is real!

The night of my own “awakening” I saw the huge reality of the truth…I knew that I deserved God’s anger, I knew what a screw-up I’d been, I deserved His disappointment. However, God met me with unconditional grace & mercy. It was very real and though I’d been so high earlier that I could barely talk, I knew God answered my cry for help and sensed His love in a very intimate and real way. Suddenly, I was no longer afraid. He’s given me peace and freed me from the pain of the past.


As far as this story…you know, it’s funny, we have all this technology, education, knowledge and we think we’re so intelligent, yet the truth is so profoundly simple. The most effective and powerful weapon continues to be a sincere and genuine heart, willing to be used by God…in everyday life. God’s word used coming though a transparent vessel translates forgiveness and hope through Christ to the most dismal, hopeless situation. This girl offered…she allowed God to offer that hope to a very dangerous and desperate man who rightly thought he was “already dead”! She lived to tell about it when others did not, which reminds me of another truth found in scripture! “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord”

When I was first saved, someone told me something that I’ve never forgotten. They just reminded me how relatively few people “know what I know” and I should never give up sharing. Reading her story and realizing that there are always those who will criticize, there will be doubts and we’ll grow weary at times, but nothing compares to the hope our stories offer to the millions who have none. Though ours may have not been a media event, we who’ve experienced that hope have a story. Don’t stop sharing it.