This Is: 

Two Traveling Angels

Author unknown -

Two angels stopped for a night in the mansion of a rich family. This family refused to let the angels stay in their guest room. The angels slept a small space on the floor in the cellar. As they made their bed, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and fixed it. When the younger angel asked, why, the older angel said, "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night they stopped at the home of a poor, but hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their own bed. The next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, was dead. The infuriated younger angel asked the older angel, "How could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him," she accused. "This second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let their cow die. "

"Things aren't always what they seem," said the older angel.

"When we stayed in the cellar, I saw that there was gold hidden in the hole in the wall. Since the owner was greedy and unwilling to share, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it."
"Last night, the angel of death came for the farmer's wife. I gave him the cow instead."

Let's Pray: Dear God, we don't always understand why things happen. Help us trust Your plan. Amen.

Here's a Thought: What seems isn't always what is.

Source:
This came to my inbox as an e-mailed story. A web-search using the title, Two Traveling Angels, revealed that this story is posted on many sites and that its author is unknown. In this version, the story has been edited to fit the constraints of our broadcast time.

Joshua 1:9 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.