Angels.

They're mentioned in our prayers. They're mentioned in the Bible. They bring messages to about good and bad news. They help us and guide us on the road of life. They protect us and make sure that we are safe. One picture of angels that comes to mind is of two children walking across a bridge, followed by an angel, arms spread, making sure they are safe on their journey. It shows us what ever-present life they are and how they are constantly around us.

In the song "Entertaining Angels" by Newsboys, a Christian alternative group, they tell of how the angels are all around, in all the big and little things that happen, "24-7 you wait for me."

Oh great, you're thinking, she's going to get all religious on us, and tell us that they are everywhere all the time. Well, since angels are a religious subject, it would be hard not to bring in religion when talking about them.

Think about it. They pervade our thought, our art and the way we conceive of the supernatural. There are statues and pictures of them in our art museums. They are in the movies we watch, for example "Michael," "City of Angels," "Dogma" and "The Preacher's Wife." There are even shows that have angels in them, like "Touched by an Angel." They have been made a part of our culture. Why should discussing this make us uncomfortable? Why do we deny their real presence?

I'm not trying to push religion on anyone, or make them believe in something they cannot see. Why do I bring it up? I would like to show you how there are angels that we can see, in our everyday lives. I want to show just how many angels are out there in our lives, making things better, making things work, helping us along.

I'm not crazy. If you think about it, when was the last time you had someone in one of your classes help you with an assignment because you just couldn't get it? Or were you one of those people who helped your classmates to understand? Have you had someone you didn't know give you directions or help you pick up something you'd dropped? Was there ever someone who just listened to you when you needed to vent? Someone who helped you get through a tough time? Believe it or not, those are our angels in disguise.

If you look back at my first definition of an angel, they help, guide, and protect us. They are our friends, knowing our troubles and our happy times. We all entertain angels … we eat dinner with them, sing with them, talk with them. We listen to them, and reach out to grasp at the truth they present us. They are very real.

I know that I have several angels out there watching over me. You all know who you are. You help me speak into the night, face my terrors, open my heart and live more fully. Are you listening tonight, you are wonderful. The things that I have seen through you have helped me so much; I won't let go of all you've taught me.

• Entertaining angels