Her Name Was Laura

I've only seen her approximately three times walking on the bridge towards town. She was always well dressed, had a jug of water in her hands and a book bag over her shoulder.  I was always drawn to her and thought about offering her a ride, but never did until this one particular evening.
It was a Thursday night when Judy, my friend, and I were heading home. This young lady was walking over the bridge as usual. I thought to myself "She needs to get home before it gets dark." So I told Judy I was turning the car around to offer the young lady a ride. So as I stopped, Judy called out to her and she responded to our offer with "Oh yes, I need to get home before it gets dark." 
She told me where she was staying and it was on our way home. While traveling I introduced myself and Judy and in response the lady said "my name is Laura."  I told her I saw her before and prayed for her each time. I asked her where she was walking to each day and she said she was looking for a job. I then asked what she liked to do. She replied with growing fruits and vegetables, raise animals like on a farm and she would love to have a horse too. She had a canvas with her and said she enjoyed painting. In fact she enjoys house sitting and drew a woman on a house. As she was talking, I noticed her face was slender to match her slender frame, her voice was sweet like music and with an unfamiliar accent.  She was African American with very white and straight teeth, her skin was smooth and soft looking, her clothes, shoes, and book bag had no imperfections to them as well. When I asked where she was from she replied from New York but also South Carolina and other places.
When we arrived at her house it was runned down, grass was knee high and needed some care. I offered to give her a ride Friday morning, but she was adamant about leaving at 7:30am and rising at 5am to pray. Yet, I convinced her to allow me to pick her up between 8:30 and 8:45. Again she was adamant about 7:30 but agreed to allow me to take her to the library.
As she walked away, I thought how odd it was that she looked so clean for living in what looked like an abandoned home with no electricity.
The next morning, I took a her a cereal bar and was ready to offer to take her to breakfast. I arrived at the home by 8:35am and honked the horn but no response. Next I got out and walked to the door, knocked on the thin glass knowing she would have certainly heard me.  I then, followed the path I remembered seeing her tread the previous night.  The door was open and  I found a dream catcher on the door knob, a leather chair, a dirty refrigerator, a couple bags of trash, but no Laura. I  even called out to her too. I know she would have heard me.  There was a half opened shed out there too, which I did not venture out to as I was alone.  I turned and I left.
As I was leaving, my heart became heavy. Where did she go? why was I so drawn to her? I remembered she said I could take her to the library, so I was on my way.  As I traveled to the library, I heard a voice inside me that said "you won't find her." I ignored the statement. I arrived at the library, went in and walked the isles of books only to find seven patrons and three employees. Non of the patrons there were Laura. My heart was saddened. I wondered where she could be. As I got into my car, I heard a heavy sigh and the voice inside me say "I told you, you will not find her." Tears streamed down my face.
This left me in wonder and awe. I reminisced about Laura's exact words. I thought about what she said about farming and a horse. those were Rodney's exact words in a conversation we had.  Her name, I thought was Carole and Judy told me early that morning how she remembered it was Laura  because Judy's daughter in law's name is Laura.  Judy is an artist and paints as does Laura. The words I thought before picking Laura up were the same exact words I thought to myself. 
Was she an angel?  If she was, I wondered what God was showing me. It  wasn't like she gave a message like John received in the book of Revelation. She didn't reveal any special instructions.
I remembered on Wednesday telling God how I felt like I was repeating words that was being prompted in my ear. I asked Him if there was an angel over us or was it just my imagination. Then this happened the next evening.  I wonder.
I KNOW in my heart I will not see Laura again, but I do believe she sees us.

God's word tells us in Psalms 91:11 "He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go." NLT

Someone asked me "how do you know she was angel?" I dont' know that she was an angel. However there are too many things that add up unexplained and because no one can look that flawless in an empty run down, ruined, waterless, and no electricity home. One last thing too; I am usually adamant about getting up at 5am to spend an hour and a half with the Lord and getting ready for work by 7:30am. Recently I've gotten out of the routine, but after this encounter, I'll be back in it.

I have my moments of looking back and wishing I could have asked more questions and requested to see her canvas that Judy said was blank. I am like Mary who sat at Jesus' feet to listen to what He had to say while Martha was in the kitchen. I view myself as the two men who were walking on the road to Damascus and Jesus began talking with them. These two men realized they were talking with Jesus after he had departed from them. My heart is sad yet joyful for knowing He thought about me and Judy greatly to show Himself in a very unique way.


Be encouraged....God sees you and me! He shows up in the most God like ways.
Marjorie