By Cindy Walker Burton

Have you ever been in the company of angels? Have you experienced a close encounter of the angel kind? Ever been unaware of an angel standing there? Angels are among us.

I remember sharing stories with my beloved mother that about kindness bestowed upon me by a complete stranger, or stories of a kindness I extended to a stranger. Mom would reply, “Cindy, you may have entertained an angel.” Then she would reference Hebrews 13:2 which says: “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it.”

I believe there are angels among us. I met one in a store in Nebraska this month. She and I were in the same aisle. This angel in disguise was thin, frail looking, and her gray hair framed a face etched with wrinkles. She wore a threadbare winter coat and her sneakers were tattered.

Her kind eyes and gentle voice revealed pain and heartache. She told me she was grieving the loss of her daughter.

She was looking for a Santa for her young grandson. “Anything Santa” would do, she said. I watched as she perused the Christmas displays, gazing at Santa items. Just then I looked in my cart. Staring up at me with a big smile was 24-inch doll with a white beard dressed in a red velvet suit: Santa!

I don’t usually purchase Santa paraphernalia. I prefer nativity scenes and angels. But upon entering the store, this charming Santa caught my eye and seemingly jumped into my cart – and my heart. At that moment, the reason why I chose Santa was revealed: he was meant to bring joy to this woman’s grandson.

I chatted with her some more before stealthily slipping away to to the cash register. I hurriedly unloaded my cart and glanced over my shoulder to make sure my angel wasn’t watching. After my purchase, I returned to the Christmas section.

“Hello again. This is for your grandson,” I said with a smile, handing her the shopping bag. She opened it carefully and tears streamed down her cheeks. “I can’t believe it. My grandson will be so happy,” she said as she reached over to hug me. We embraced and she thanked me, her shoulders shaking. Tears stung my eyes as I thanked her for that much needed hug. I explained that I too was grieving for a loved one (my mother). I was not the angel in this story. She was. Her angelic hug was balm for my broken heart.

It was God’s will that I entertain the company of an angel that day. Heavenly hello’s?  Celestial salutations? Miraculous messengers? Yes! Angels are among us: seen or unseen, known or unknown, revealed or concealed.

“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)