To The Passenger On The Plane,

I have always been a strong believer in signs. Call me crazy, but something told me you were going to be a breath of knowledge. Typically when I board the plane I sit down, buckle, put my headphones in, and listen to my "No Destination" playlist on Spotify. This time, I tapped the passengers arm and told him I would be sitting next to him, sat down, and laughed at the joke he cracked.

This joke resulted in a two hour plane ride filled with conversation. I had my book on my lap ready to complete my goal of finishing it, but you interested me way more than my book. You told me you were a fighter pilot in Desert Storm and had a beautiful family you couldn't be prouder of. You talked about the love and devotion you had and still have for your country. Your eyes sparkled with every story you told. I was seated next to you for a reason, but it was still a mystery at this point.

We talked about our families for about an hour. How blessed we felt to have the people we adore fill our hearts and lives. Blessed wasn't a word anybody used though. There it was, you were a man of faith. A man that had religious struggles along the way and found God through serving your country and marrying the love of your life.

You told me a story about two boys near a lake playing with a sailboat. One of the little boys let it go and watched it float, but suddenly he realized his boat was much too far to reach. His friend begins to throw rocks in front of the boat, the little boy proceeds to get upset asking why his friend was throwing rocks at his boat.

His friend simply tells him, "I am throwing rocks to create waves to sail back to you." This metaphor related to God throwing difficult things and hard situations at us, but these things result in the direction we are meant to go.

Just like me, you struggled to find God in your life. You turned to him at a time you questioned if he even existed. You prayer resulted in some of the strongest relationships you've ever experienced. You also told me even if I pray, it doesn't necessarily mean they will be answered.

Everything we ask for in life is not granted to us, just like prayers. You told me to trust in myself and the Lord, that God is present no matter what religion I may choose.

I was meant to sit next to you, to hear your story, and be inspired by your life and the choices you made along the way. Even though I will probably never see you again, you changed my life. You have shown me kindness still exists in strangers and that God works in mysterious ways.

From,

The Stranger That Sat Next To You