Knock. Knock.

Knock. Knock. Knockknockknockknockknockknock!

Over the past couple of weeks, Sally's abnoxious knock has actually softened. I quickly walk around to open our back door to the familiar face of my neighbor.

"HEY nayber! Just to let you know your spigot's got a leak. Tried shuttin it off but it won't stick. Your landlord's gonna be payin' plus there's plenty of ice too. Say, it don't bother me but I just thought I'd tell ya."

"Come on in!" shouts Rachel from the kitchen. I realize the door's standing wide open and Sally may as well come in before too much cold air does. Sally obliges. Rachel happens to be sticking a tray of
fresh cookie dough in the oven so we shoot the breeze while we eagerly await hot treats.

"I got a job interview Friday!" celebrates Sally. We are ecstatic. Cheers and laughs fill our little kitchen as we barrage her with questions. I open the oven to check on the cookies and close it back up. One minute Sally is telling us all about her prospective job and before I know it she's uncovering her father's past. Foster child, abuse, abandonment, neglect, violence, destruction, drugs, relocation, love, transformation, marriage, family, a chance to create a better life for his daughter. Rachel and I just listen and nod, unable to absorb it all like a kitchen sponge under a waterfall. But hearing the story of her family helps us understand Sally: her suspicion, her tenacity, her determination, her love for her dad and mom.

Sally grabs a cookie to take home and Rachel and I bid her good night. Shutting the door, we look at each other and remark at Sally's story. We celebrate the honor of having her in our home. We go about cleaning the dishes.

Knock. Knock. 

Hmm. Less knocks. Still from the back door, but not frantic. Softer knocks.

It's her husband, Eric, who has never come over on his own.

"Thanks for the cookie." Eric grins sheepishly. "Sally's comin' over with Blake."

"O, sure, come inside!" I stammer, pleasantly surprised.

What transpired over the next two hours I will treasure as a small miracle in our lives. Up until this point, Rachel and I have been graciously listening and patiently asking for months as our neighbors told us story after story about themselves. But for the first time, as we sat together in our living room, the conversation turned: our neighbors began to ask us about our lives.

How did you know you were meant for each other? How do you know you can love one another for the rest of your lives? What is one thing you would change about yourself to become a better husband? What is your view on sex? Why are some parents incapable of loving their children?

As we talked we began to open up and share our lives with them. We held Blake like his aunt and uncle. We laughed and smiled. We spoke freely and told stories. Months of listening had produced in our neighbors curiosity, safety, and affection. We praise God for the honor of being in relationship with Eric, Sally and Blake. What a joy it is to experience the Kingdom of God intersecting in our lives lived with our neighbors.