2016-06-30
Find Out: Many Beliefnet members have sent questions about children and angels. I have compiled the ones I am commonly asked and I have outlined them here with my answers.

1. Can children really see angels?

Yes, the evidence is overwhelming. Here is an account from a person I know. (The names have been changed as requested.) The only explanation for this amazing, true story is that an angel did give a message to a child.

My friend June was broken-hearted. She had done her best to raise her daughter Ericka, but in her teen age years Ericka became addicted on drugs and left home. While on drugs, Ericka became pregnant and had a baby boy. Ericka realized that she could not care for her baby and she asked her mother to take care of the baby boy until she became clean. Instead of kicking the habit, Ericka became more addicted and gave birth to a second baby, a girl. Once again, she implored her mother to care for her second child, with promises that this time she would become drug free and become a good mother. Despite her promises, Ericka disappeared and June lost all contact with Ericka. Taking care of two grandchildren was not the way June had planned to spend her midlife years, but she loved them dearly and never complained.

One morning four-year old David said, “Grandma, we have to find my baby brother.”

June replied, “David, you don’t have a brother.”

“Yes, I do,” the child insisted. “An angel came and told me we have to find my baby brother.”

June thought David would soon forget his imaginary brother, but throughout the day David persisted. "It’s not my imagination,” he insisted. “The angel told me. We have to go find my brother.”

“Could it be possible?” June wondered. “Did David see an angel? Does he have a baby brother? Is it possible that Ericka had given birth to another child?”
Because her grandson was so insistent, June decided to begin a search. Ericka had broken off all contacts with her and June knew of no way to find her daughter. In desperation, she decided to call the maternity wards at local hospitals. There was no record of her daughter in any of the hospitals in the city where June lived, but David would not relent. “We have to find my baby brother,” he insisted. “Keep trying,” he pleaded.

Next, June tried the maternity ward of the hospital in the next town. Her daughter Ericka was there and had just given birth to a baby boy! Within an hour June was by her side. The daughter was hostile. “Mom, how did you find me?” Ericka demanded. “How did you know I had given birth?”

She listened in amazement to the story: how an angel had come to her preschool son with the message that he had a baby brother and that he had to find him. Erica broke into tears. “Mom,” she said, “After leaving you with two of my children, I was so embarrassed and ashamed when I became pregnant. That’s why I didn’t tell you about this baby.”

Since she was still addicted to drugs, Ericka realized she could not care for the new baby. The last I have heard, June was caring for her three grandchildren, Ericka was in rehab determined to become a good mother. David, now a big brother, was so proud he had found his little brother-- just like the angel had told him to do.

2. Are children more likely to see angels than adults?

Perhaps. There is no way to collect statistics. It may be that children are more innocent and open to spiritual experiences. Many adults become so immersed in the material world that they become unaware of God’s presence.

3. Should we believe everything children tell us about seeing angels?

Of course not! Some children are convinced there are monsters under their bed, that fairies are real (especially when they find evidence that the Tooth Fairy visited them), and many other things. Some of the things children describe as angels are clearly not God’s magnificent spirit beings such as dancing little lights, tiny fairy-like creatures, and imaginary playmates.

Mimi Doe, who has talked to hundreds of children about angels they had seen, received many untraditional answers like these:

  • It's a see through color pink--there is no paint or markers like that. (Whit, Age 6)
  • My angel is a comfortable feeling. (Newlin, Age 6)
  • My angels are many. Sometimes they are small, 7 to 100 of them fit with me inside my seat belt when I drive places. They sparkle all the time. (Samantha, Age 4)
We must be very careful to test “messages” that children report angels have given them. It is important to keep an open mind and realize that it is possible God can send messages to a child through an angel. But we must use discernment when we evaluate the message. It may reflect a child’s hopes, dreams, fears, or an inability to understand life. In some cases, it can be a symptom of mental or emotional problems. God will never give a child (or anyone) a message that contradicts the teachings of Bible scripture.

4. Do all children have angel experiences?

Jesus taught that angels are always present with children (Matthew 18:10). Most of the tim,e angels are unseen and children are unaware of their ministry. While many children do share that an angel has been with them, the majority of children do not. It is interesting to note that children who do have angel experiences think it is normal to have one, and they take it for granted that it happens to every child.

5. Do you have a favorite book about children and angels?

"What Children Tell Me About Angels" by Charlie W. Shedd is a delightful read. It is inspiring and well-balanced.
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