Laney found her mother in the kitchen, still emptying boxes.

“I’m finished with my room. I know there’s still a lot to do, and I promise I’ll help, but it’s such a gorgeous day. Can I go meet some of the neighbors? I’d love to see if there are other teenagers around.”

Denise glanced up from the box of cookware. “You’ve been such a big help. Of course you can take a little walk around the neighborhood. Let me know what you find out. I’d go with you, but if we’re going to have any chance of cooking dinner in this kitchen tonight, I need to sort everything out.”

“Thanks, Mom!” Laney didn’t waste a minute. She burst into the glorious sunshine and visited the neighbors to the left, across the street, and approached the house to their right. So far, no luck in finding other teens. The neighbors on the left had a baby and a toddler and were thrilled about a potential babysitter moving in next door. The neighbors across the street weren’t home.

The house to the right stood in contrast to the other houses. While the yard was trimmed, the window boxes were empty and there was nothing on the porch to make it feel welcoming. No potted plants, no welcome mat, nothing but a large “no soliciting” sign. Laney shrugged and rang the doorbell.

Laney was about to give up when the door opened revealing an older man with the sourest expression Laney had ever seen.

“Can’t you read?” the man asked, pointing to the sign.

“I’m not soliciting. I’m Laney. I just moved in next door and I wanted to meet my new neighbors. I was hoping there’d be some other kids my age.”

The man’s expression darkened. “There are no kids here. Good day.”

As he moved to close the door, Laney stuck out a foot and stopped the door from closing. “Wait. Won’t you at least tell me your name? We are neighbors, after all.”

The man’s mouth dropped open, but after a moment he said “Marshall. Samuel Marshall.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Marshall. I hope you have a great day.” Laney pulled back her foot and the door closed a split second later.

Undeterred, Laney continued her journey down the street for a few more houses before returning home to help unpack. Mr. Marshall stayed on her mind the whole time.

Unsure of why the grumpy man stayed on her mind, later that week she paid him another visit.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Marshall.”

He frowned. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”

“It’s Spring Break. That’s why we chose this week to move. Our first Sunday in our new church will be on Easter. Isn’t that exciting?”

“Fascinating.”

“Would you like to go to church with us? I’m sure you know lots of people in this town. You could introduce us.”

Mr. Marshall’s eyebrows nearly met his hairline. “I’m sure you’ll have no trouble meeting people. You certainly don’t seem to have any trouble talking. Why don’t you go dye some Easter eggs or something?”

Laney turned toward home as the door once again closed in her face. That evening, she remembered Mr. Marshall in her prayers.

“Lord, please be with Mr. Marshall. He seems so unhappy and lonely. Help me to show him Your love.”

For the next few weeks, Laney stopped by Mr. Marshall’s house regularly. Sometimes it was to drop off a meal her mother had made, other times it was simply to say hello. While she never could quite break through, she somehow got the impression he didn’t mind her visits so much.

One Saturday, she visited Mr. Marshall with a tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

He opened the door as usual, but this time he simply stared at the tray she held. Tears filled his eyes.

“Mr. Marshall, is everything OK?”

He shook his head and wiped at his eyes. He turned to enter the house, but left the door open. Laney stood on the porch, tray in hand, not sure what to make of this new development.

“Well don’t stand out there all day with the door open. Are you coming in or aren’t you?”

Laney blinked, then followed Mr. Marshall into the house. He grabbed two glasses and a container of milk, then pulled a chair to the table and motioned to Laney to do the same. He proceeded to fill the two glasses with milk, while Laney sat and stared, speechless.

“Are you going to share those?” Mr. Marshall asked, as Laney still held onto the tray of cookies.

Laney placed them on the table and silently watched as Mr. Marshall took a bite. He closed his eyes and sighed. “Just like Marie’s.”

It seemed best to be silent, so Laney simply took a cookie of her own and dunked it into her milk. After she took a bite, she glanced up to find Mr. Marshall watching her.

“You remind me of her.”

“Who?”

“My daughter, Marie. She used to bake cookies just like this. I haven’t had any in years.”

“Is she…” Laney stopped, not sure if she wanted to know.

“She’s not dead, no,” Mr. Marshall said. “At least I hope not. No, she ran off a few years back and I haven’t heard from her since.”

“I’m so sorry,” Laney said. “You have no way of getting in touch with her?”

Mr. Marshall’s lips turned downward. “Oh, no, I have her number. I just haven’t felt the need to call it. Not after she ran off like she did.” His eyes grew misty once more. “But I sure have missed her cookies.”

Laney sent up a silent prayer thanking God for giving her the tool to reach Mr. Marshall. She prayed for wisdom in her next words.

“Gosh, if I were on my own, I’d miss my dad something fierce. I bet Marie misses you a lot.”

“If she missed me, she’d call.”

“Maybe not. I bet she wants to, but her pride won’t let her. She probably has been wishing to talk to you for months. Years, maybe, but she can’t drum up the courage to do so. It takes a lot of guts to say you’re sorry. She probably isn’t brave enough.”

Mr. Marshall stared at her. “Do you really think so?”

Laney nodded. “Definitely. I know how women think. I bet she’s praying you’d call her. Right now, today.”

Mr. Marshall nodded. “I do miss her.”

“Then tell her.”

“You know, young lady, I do believe I will.” He reached across the table and gave Laney’s hand a squeeze. His voice was barely above a whisper. “Thank you.”

Hebrews 13: 1-2

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 

Dear Heavenly Father, You’ve told us to love one another. Help us to find ways to show Your love to others in our lives. By loving others, we may be able to draw them to You. Thank You for the blessing of loving and being loved. Please help open our eyes to opportunities to be kind to others. Who knows? We may meet an angel that way! In Jesus’ name, Amen.