Last Wednesday was my flight back to Texas! I was so anxious to get home and see my family after two months of being apart but my flight was not until 3 in the afternoon! That felt like an eternity of waiting to me!! I got to the airport early in hopes of getting on an earlier flight but after trying every possible way I tried to make it work, it became obvious to me that there would be no way of getting on an earlier flight. I trusted that God had a reason for me being on that later flight and made the most of my next seven hours in the airport alone.
I needed that alone time. I put in headphones and listened to worship music, and as I did I just burst into tears. There was a lot of suppressed emotions regarding leaving my team and Africa that I had not yet processed. On the airport floor, I just started to pray, journal, and process those emotions. While I may not have known it, God knew I needed that alone time. He knew I needed to spend alone time with Him before jumping into the craziness and busyness of being back home surrounded by people. I thanked Him for this blessing in disguise.
It finally came time for the long-awaited plane flight. This was the type of plane where they only assign you your place in line for boarding the plane but once you are on, you are allowed to pick your seat. As I scanned the plane to find a spot, I was instantly drawn to an old woman whose arms were covered in tattoos. I felt so captivated—who is she? what is her story? I knew where I had to sit.
Sitting down next to her, I asked for her name and started getting to know her. Sally is a beautiful, youthful soul. She told me the story behind all her tattoos (besides that spider on her right arm, she doesn’t know why she got that one haha!). She had the biggest, toothless smile and the spunkiest personality. She was leaving to go back home after two months of being with her daughter and granddaughter. We talked the entire two hour plane flight. I listened mostly. When I had the chance to talk I told her about God’s goodness and love. I encouraged her that she still has a purpose on this earth, even at her old age.
When it was time for us to part ways after it landed, she cried. She held my arm and told me, “I know God sent you just for me. I felt incredibly sad after saying goodbye to my loved ones for probably the last time; I don’t think I have much time left on this earth. I was feeling so alone, but God gave me you. Thank you for talking to me.” At this point, we were both crying. I knew without a doubt that God had orchestrated us to meet. Sally touched my life through her stories just as much, if not more, than she said I had touched hers.
God had a purpose for me on that plane. Though I did not get on the earlier flight, He taught me to trust Him when doors close rather than get frustrated that things didn’t go as I wanted them to. He taught me that even though my “mission trip” was over, I have people all around me in the States who need the love of God to enter their lives just as much as the people of Africa need it. He taught me to slow down, spend time in His presence, and spend time getting to know His people. He reminded me to see people as He sees them and to love them with a fierce compassion. Love is simple. It can be as simple as saying hello to a stranger on the plane and giving them your undivided attention, listening to their heart and their story. Love does not need to be over-complicated. There was nothing extraordinary about what I did, yet it meant the world to Sally, changing the trajectory of her day and reminding her that God had not forgotten about her.
Next time life does not go the way you had planned, take a moment to ask God what He may have for you right where you are at. Look around. Ask Him to give you His eyes and His heart. See who you can love in just the simplest of ways. Sometimes seeing the people who come into your life not as an interruption but an invitation to share the love of Christ can make a world of difference.
