Michael Gabriel

George and Opal Roberts were returning home to Mineola after an evening with their long-time friends, Roger and Molly Tidwell, who lived in Wills Point.

“Molly has always been a good cook,” Opal was saying, “and tonight was no exception. That smothered chicken was simply delicious. And the way she prepared those carrots, I don’t know when I’ve had anything so tasty.”

George, the quiet one of the two, said, “Yep. She sure is a good cook alright.”

“What were you and Roger talking about?”

“Oh, about all the fish he and his friends caught a couple of weeks ago, and their upcoming trip to the deer lease to get ready for the hunting season.”

“Why don’t you go with them sometime? It’d do you some good to get out of the house for a few days now and then.”

“Opal, you know I’ve never been an outdoorsman.”

“Well, you could go just to watch and enjoy some fellowship with the guys.”

Just then, George noticed a car on the side of the road up ahead, with its blinkers on. “Looks like this fellow has some car trouble,” he said as he slowed down a little.

Opal noticed that it was an older man. “George, let’s stop to see if he needs some help.”

“Opal, you know I’m no mechanic.”

“Well, we could offer him a ride, if that would help him. See, he’s an old man. I don’t think he would be any danger to us.”

“You’re probably right,” George said as he began to slow to a stop. “But just to be safe, lower your window enough to talk, but not enough for him to reach in.”

When George stopped, he lowered his head to address the man through Opal’s window. “Mister, it looks like you’re having some car trouble. I’m no mechanic, but can we give you a lift somewhere?”

“Well, that’d be mighty kind of you, sir.”

“Step to the rear door and I’ll unlock it for you,” George said, taking one last precaution so this stranger didn’t open Opal’s door for a surprise attack.

The stranger first locked up his own car and then got in the back seat.

George asked, “What’s your name, friend?”

“Michael,” he said. “Michael Gabriel,”

“Well, I’m George Roberts and this is my wife, Opal.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts.”

Opal said, “You seem like a friendly man. Just call us George and Opal. May we call you Michael?”

“You certainly may, and that’s mighty kind of you…, Opal…, and George.”

George asked, “Where can we take you, Michael?”

“If you please, can you take me to my home in Grand Saline? It’s just off Highway 80, only a few miles ahead.”

“That’s no problem at all,” Opal said. “It’s right on the way to our home in Mineola.”

Michael said, “You two are just what I prayed for. The Lord sure answered my prayer—a couple with a heart to help a stranger in need.”

After a moment of silence, Michael asked, “Do you two know the Lord?”

Opal replied, "Yes we do. We’re both saved and members of the First Baptist Church in Mineola.”

“I know right where that is; on North Johnson Street, right?”

That piqued George’s curiosity. “Why, yes. Have you visited our church?”

“No, but I’ve passed by your church many times. You might say that I’ve been there in spirit, because I’ve asked the Lord to bless your congregation every time I passed by.”

“You sound like a preacher, Michael,” George said.

“Oh, no. I don’t preach, but I do share the gospel wherever I go.”

“Are you an evangelist?”

“In a way. You know, you don’t have to have to be ordained or have any official title to tell people about the Lord,” Michael said as he paused to take a breath. Then he added, “Did you know that the apostle Paul, who evangelized the Middle East, Asia Minor and Europe, was never called an evangelist? In fact, the word ‘evangelist’ appears only two times in the Bible. In Acts 21, Paul stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, and in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he urged Timothy to do the work of an evangelist.”

“You sure know your scripture,” George commented.

Opal asked, “What church do you attend, Michael?”

“Berean Bible Church. We chose that name because when Paul preached at the synagogue in Berea, the Bereans searched the scripture to verify what Paul was saying.”

Opal was impressed. “You certainly are a man of God’s Word!”

Michael let Opal’s complement pass and started giving directions. “Well, folks, we’re coming into Grand Saline now. Look for the Sonic drive-in up ahead, George.”

“I see it,” George said.

“Slow down and just as you pass it make a slight turn to the right.”

After George made the turn, Michael continued, “That’s right. Now we’re on Frank Street. Up ahead you’ll cross Houston Street, then slow down, because the next street on the left is Oleander; and just past that on the right is Harris Street, where I live.”

George followed Michael’s directions.

Opal, commented, “Harris was my grandmother’s maiden name.”

Michael said, “I’m the only one who lives on Harris. You can pull into the driveway, George,” which he did.

As Michael was getting out, George asked, “Michael, do you have someone who can help you with your car in the morning?”

“Oh, don’t worry about me. Just as the Lord provided you to bring me home, He will provide the help I need tomorrow. Thank y’all so much for the ride. If you go back to Frank Street and turn right, you’ll find your way back to Highway 80, toward Mineola. Thanks again and may God bless you for your hospitality.”

George politely waited until Michael opened his door and waved goodbye to them before leaving.

After they backed out of the driveway, Opal said, “What a wonderful experience with a wonderful man! I felt like I was in the presence of God when he was with us.”

“I know what you mean,” George echoed. “I’ve never felt that way with anyone in my life.”

A few weeks later, on a Saturday, George and Opal didn’t have any plans for the afternoon, but Opal came up with an idea.

“George, you remember that man we gave a ride to in Grand Saline. Why don’t we go call on him? Michael Gabriel was his name, wasn’t it? He was such a nice person. Maybe he will become one of our friends.”

“What a great idea, Opal! I’ve thought about going to see him several times when I was out and about, but for some reason, I never thought about it after I got home.”

So, George and Opal dressed in some nice casual clothes and headed to Grand Saline to make a social call on Michael.

As they entered Grand Saline from the east this time, they remembered the Exxon station and they turned onto Frank Street just before the station. They recognized a few landmarks as they drove along slowly. George looked for Harris Street on the left.

Then Opal said, “George, we missed Harris Street!”

“What do you mean? I’ve looked for it very carefully.”

“Well, we must have. We just drove past Oleander Street, and I remember that Harris should be behind us.”

So, they turned around at Houston Street and drove back ever-so-slowly. Sure enough, Oleander was on the left, but there was no sign of any Harris Street on the right.

George stopped the car, trying to remember Michael’s exact directions.

About that time, a middle-aged man was walking toward them. Opal lowered her window and asked, “Sir, can you help us? We’re looking for Harris Street.”

The man said, “Harris Street? I’ve lived here most of my life. I never heard of any Harris Street. Are you sure about the street name?”

“Yes, we are. I remember because my grandmother’s maiden name was Harris.”

“We’re looking for a man named Michael Gabriel. By any chance do you know him?” George asked.

“No, I can’t say that I do.”

Opal thought for a second and said, “Maybe we can check at his church, Berean Bible Church. Do you know where that is?”

“I never heard of a church by that name,” the man said, scratching his head. Then he asked, “What was that man’s name again?”

“Michael Gabriel,” replied George.

“Michael… Gabriel….” the man said. “Hmm…, that’s funny.”

Somewhat puzzled, George asked “What do you mean, ‘That’s funny?’”

“Oh, I don’t mean funny as in humorous, I mean it’s unusual. In the Bible, Michael is the archangel in the Old Testament and Gabriel is the archangel in the New Testament.”

There was an awkward silence.

Finally, the man excused himself by saying, “Sorry I couldn’t help you folks. I hope you find your friend.” And then he went on his way.

George and Opal just stared at each other.

Opal broke the silence by asking, “George, you don’t suppose…?”

“I was just thinking the same thing, Opal,” he said. “Michael was a stranger in need, and we took him in and helped him.”

After another few minutes of reflection, they headed home, mystified, but with a deep, wondrous feeling inside.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2, KJV)