I just wanted to share this awesome story of my flight back home from training camp (TC). I had been praying that God would show up, that He would give me an opportunity to share my heart- to share Him- with someone during my travels. Well, let me tell you when He said "Ask and you shall receive" He meant every word!
I had two flights coming home from TC.My first flight was fine. It was the second flight that blew my mind. I flew with Southwest (awesome airline by the way!) With southwest, you are not assigned a seat, just a boarding order, so when you get on the plane, you get to choose your seat. I had been watching people during boarding and found someone I wanted to sit next to. He was a soldier, dressed in his military uniform. I love meeting people and I have a heart for all our soldiers. I wanted to be able to thank him for his service and his sacrifice for our country. However, when I got on the plane, there was no seat next to him.
I opted for an open window seat. There was a woman sitting in the aisle, but I was kind of sad to figure out after sitting down that this lady did not want to talk to me. I love talking to people on planes, hearing their stories and where they come from and where they are going. It's so cool! So when I realized that this woman had no interest in doing so, I became disheartened. I was like "Well, there goes this flight. No more opportunities for me to share." (Granted, my plane was also delayed an hour so I was not in the perkiest of moods)
As I was sitting, staring out the window, this woman sat down next to me, in the middle seat. My attitude changed. My perkiness came back when she began speaking to me. We started with the usual small talk, who are you, where are you going? etc. Then she asked me:
"Where are you coming from?"
My eyes brightened, I saw an open door. This woman had so much joy and love in her face, that I just started spilling all about TC and my missions trip. Once I mentioned I was going on a missions trip, she seemed very interested. We talked for a while about it, she asked me questions. Then she told me that her husband was actually a pastor. She told me about her son, who works with African refugees in southern Maine. She told me about her niece who works in ministry in Thailand (I hope I get the chance to meet her!) She shared her heart for missions and her family's experience serving in Haiti. It was a wonderful conversation!
I was so open with her, more open than I've ever been with a stranger on an airplane. She was so encouraging and so enthusiastic. She was filled with the Love of the Lord and it was so wonderful to talk with her and share my heart.
As we began to descend into Maine, she turned to me and said that she had earned some extra income recently and she had been looking for a way to use it. She wanted to support my trip! She gave me a check for 10% of what I was looking to raise in the next few weeks. My jaw dropped, I couldn't believe it! This beautiful stranger was willing to not only listen to me pour out my heart, but she continued to encourage me and wanted to support me! I was blown away. I still kind of am!
And it gets even better! As we got off the plane, she introduced me to her husband and we walked down to baggage claim together. At the bottom of the stairs, my mother was waiting for me. This lovely couple walked up to her with me, and then this woman started to affirm my mother. She spoke words of encouragement to her. She gave her experience as a mother of a child who has a heart for missions and just encouraged her so much. It was so beautiful. I probably would have cried if I wasn't in such shock!
We continued to walk to baggage claim together. As we waited for our nags, they talked together and I spoke with my mom. Then, when I turned around to say goodbye……. poof! They were gone.
I don't know if I will ever see that woman again, but there is no doubt in my mind that this was a Divine appointment from the Lord. She was my airplane angel.
