Airports, Window Seats, and People

Last Tuesday I settled into seat 3A on a United Express flight bound for SC via DC to complete another FLAME class. I let out a long, slow sigh as I settled in for the less than two-hour flight. In the air is becoming second nature, and window seats are fast becoming my second home. In and out of airports, going through security, finding my way from one concourse to another, on and off planes, has become a familiar process. I meet interesting people, kind people, business people, parents traveling with kids, people traveling to visit family—it's all so intriguing.

On my return flight from DC to Indy, a young man sat next to me. We talked the entire 2-hour flight. I'm always sensitive as to how much a person really wants to make conversation, but Peter was obviously in the mood to talk. It was a great two-way conversation. From Rhode Island, this single, 31-year-old, don in baseball cap and khaki pants, was heading to a military base near Indy for a week of training before going on to Afghanistan for a three-month assignment. Same age as my kids, I took the liberty to find out more about his life, which isn't unusual for me no matter what age. I also thought, how can I introduce this guy to my single daughter (sorry, Julie, just couldn't help it)? He seemed like a swell guy who loves to travel the world, and wants to make a difference.

I am often reminded of what a friend told me in Budapest - Even if it is only for a moment, we can enrich the lives of others and they can in turn enrich our lives. As Peter shared of how he is trying to figure out what's next for his life, his interest in non-profit organizations and so forth, I thought of the words of the Psalmist, God will guide you along the best pathway for your life. He will advise you and watch over you. (32:8) As I shared these words, he seemed to take them in as words of hope and encouragement. Upon arriving at our gate, we departed the plane, and went our separate ways, both enriched by the conversation we had just had.

This coming Monday morning Dennis and I will take our seats on yet another flight much longer than a domestic flight. We're heading to Istanbul, then on to the continents of Africa and Asia. We'll settle in to the familiarity of our second home. We have a system down. On the three-seats-across flights, Dennis books himself an aisle seat, and a window seat for me, our preferences. We watch for people coming down the aisle and wonder if someone is going to take the seat between us. If someone has an eye on that seat, then the decision is up to me whether I will move to the middle seat or stay by the window. Not sure that I have a criteria for this decision, but if I want to sleep, I stay by the window for the comfort of leaning my head on the side of the plane. Kind of funny to tell the middle person that they are seated between husband and wife. If I feel more comfortable in the middle seat, everyone (so far) is happy to get the window seat. But, sometimes we luck out when no one sits between us, which gives us added space and room to stretch (the goal in the method to our madness:).

This is an adventuresome life we live. No week is the same. Well into the second half of my 50's, I find myself thankful for the stretching season that it is, for the experiences we share in around the world, and for the reliance on God that it calls for. What a time in life to get out of comfort zones, to take some risks, and to be a part of the Kingdom work whether on the ground or in the air.