I love flying! It is not necessarily the traveling or high altitude and, for sure, not the small bag of nuts with close, cramped quarters, but it is the surprises along the journey. Each flight I am expectant as to whom I will meet and engage in conversation. I find each trip to have the potential of a divine appointment. My last flight from St. Louis to Dallas was no exception.

My husband had forgotten to select our seats when the reservations were made. When we approached the ticket counter to ask for an early boarding slip, the agent offered us seats in the bulk head—aisle 7. At first my husband declined, telling the agent that I hated that row. I quickly spoke up to say, “Not this time. It will be perfect.” Oh what an understatement.

Typically, this row is not my favorite. Though you have more leg room, you have nothing in front of you except for the wall dividing the first class from the commoners.  However, my flight was filled with uncommon riches.

I was seated in the middle of row 7, with the seat empty next to the window. The last man to board sat next to me. I had a lap full of grapes from my purse, and, in the middle of biting into one, I remarked to the man taking his seat, “We are glad you finally arrived. We have been waiting on you.”

He readily engaged me in conversation–and it never stopped until we landed. His name was Rick, and he had been doing business in St. Louis. His buddy was in our original row before we were promoted. Both gentlemen were scheduled for a later flight from Lambert Airport, but they took the chance to get on by stand-by status. Ninety-minutes later it would be apparent once more of God’s orchestration and purpose.

Rick and I chatted about surface things for a short time. In moments, however, he began to share his life and struggles. I asked him a question that suddenly caused a turn from the shallow end of conversation to the deep end. “Rick, what would it take for you to be strong?”

My new friend paused and then spoke, “Ma’am, you have totally disarmed me. I must think deeper.” Sensing my finger might be on his juggler and the heart of the matter, we talked on. He told me when he got on the plane he was discouraged and his day had not gone like he wanted it to go. I suggested that the day might have been all about us meeting. He continued sharing his dreams and vision.

He then brought up my favorite subject to discuss. “I am not sure I know my purpose.” I turned to face him more directly, after previously listening while looking out the window, and replied, “Well, let’s start there.” We continued to talk. His countenance changed so much that even a blind woman could see it.

When it came time for the plane to begin its descent, we were still engaged in a deep conversation. He excitedly said, “I cannot wait to get off this plane. I now see with more clarity, and I can’t wait to get started.” I took him by the arm and began to pray over him and then spoke a blessing over his life and career.

Who is sitting next to you today in life to whom you could give a lift? Be engaging and see.

When you choose to look past the horizon… the sky is the limit!