Angels

Since I have returned home from college, one of my sisters, who is about four years younger than me, has decided it is okay for her to sleep in my bed. Every night. Honestly, I'm ok with that most of the time; we usually go right to sleep, though occasionally one of us will spur a late-into-the-night conversation. Tonight was one of those nights. My sister told me she is scared of angels. At first, I laughed at her. Angels are nothing to be scared of; they are the gentle, glowing, white beings who ride in our cars with us, protecting us when we speed, or watch over us as we sleep...right?
I don't know. You've asked the wrong person. I've read some in the Bible about angels. I know about Michael and Gabriel and I know that Satan is a fallen angel, all the basics. But their role in our everyday lives? Now that is some studying I could definitely brush up on. I've read enough Frank Peretti books to allow myself liberty of the imagination, enough to count on their presence when I am needing some help. However, being filled with the Spirit, I usually count on God himself being with me 24/7.
I would love to hear some of your opinions on the role or roles of angels in our everyday lives, because I am by no means an expert. But if I have any opinion, it is this: I think angels can be used as messengers from God to us. And this is why:
I have grown up in a ministry family. I have a grandfather and a grandmother on seperate sides of the family who are pentacostal pastors. My dad is the music minister at my church and other members of my family, as well as myself, are also in the ministry. I have been in the church through thick and through very very thin in my short lifetime. Once, a few years ago, I guess I was probably twelve or thirteen, the church was going through a pretty difficult time, we were in the midst of a church split and things weren't looking so pretty. My parents were devestated. They had done all they knew to do and then some. They spent time in prayer and fasted for the church and still things were pretty glum.
Well, one day, we went to eat at Ryan's, one of my dad's favorite restaraunts. The hostess showed us to our table, but instead of seating us close to the buffet, where all the other customers were seated, she took us past several empty tables to the very back, where only one other couple were sitting (Now, we are a big family, but not THAT big, ya know?). Whatever, we didn't care, we were there to eat and now we could do it without the intrusion of neighboring conversation. So there we were, eating away, having a good ol' time, not knowing that we were about to encounter someone who could give us a message straight from the mouth of God.
The other couple who were sitting in the back had finished eating and stood up to leave. My whole family were captivated by their appearance. The couple looked to be African, both the man and the woman stood, reaching over six feet for sure, and picked up the small child that had been sitting with them. They were dressed from head to toe in African garb: Saris, I'm telling you! Then, instead of turning for the door, they walked over to our table. The woman looked at my mom and told her, "God wants me to tell you, keep doing what you are doing."
That was it! And it was exactly what my parents needed to hear at that time in our lives! I will never forget it!
So, angels, whoever and whatever they are, are from God, that much I know is true. And really, thats about all I need to know.