This past Saturday I was flying back to Newark, through Boston.  The previous two days being a presenter, devotion leader and exhibitor at the annual Lutheran Church Charities conference in Chicago.  Landing in Boston was scenic, coming in over the bay and landing within view of the ocean on a sunny day was refreshing.  Walking through the airport to my next gate, I spotted a Wahlburger and had to try one of their burgers.  By the time I got off the train from the Newark airport to my house it would be late at night, so that was enough justification for me.

Little did I know how late I would be getting home.  As I made my way to my gate, I got a notification on my phone that my flight was delayed.  So, I went down to my gate to see if there was any more information.

When I got to my gate, every seat was taken except one.  There was an empty seat next to a Muslim woman.  This lady had on her head covering, it was modest and matched her clothes which were Western in style.  I approached her and asked if the seat next to her was taken, she said it was not so I asked if it would be ok with her if I sat there, she said yes and I sat down.

I got out my lap top and started to plug in my charger.  “Sarah” (not her real name) told me, “It doesn’t work.  None of the outlets do.”  I thanked her for letting me know and we started a conversation about the delayed flight.  Sarah shared with me that she was nervous about flying because of the rattling that happens when a plane turns or goes through turbulence.  I asked her if the landings made her nervous also, Sarah said no, it was just the actual flight.  So, I shared with Sarah that many commercial flights are actually done on autopilot and that I had heard it is possible for planes to even land on autopilot (this depends on the rules of the country you are flying in).  I shared that in my opinion you don’t hear much about the autopilot feature because people may ask if pilots are needed.  Sarah and I laughed at the idea of wondering if there was a pilot in the cockpit.  Then Sarah said, “I don’t think it would be good for me to go up to the cockpit and check”  We both laughed at her self deprecating humor.

Sarah then shared that it is hard to fly for her because when she gets nervous during flights, she gets doubly nervous because she doesn’t want to alarm her fellow fliers by acting unusual.  Sarah said, “I get it.  I’m nervous about those people also.”

Sarah used her smart phone to check the weather (the reason for our delay), talk with her husband and stay on top of her business responsibilities.  As I looked around the airport, I saw some young American girls dressed with a lot less clothes than Sarah and I thought about modesty and faith.

Sarah shared about her family and I did also.  We had a great conversation and then it was time to go.  All along I had been praying and asking God how to be a good witness to Sarah.  We knew my section would be called first, so I said to Sarah, “I am going to get on the plane here pretty soon.  I am going to pray for you and your flight.”  Sarah thanked me and said, “It was a real pleasure getting to know you.”  I thanked Sarah and went to my gate.

Sitting in my seat on the plane I saw Sarah up at the front and I prayed for her.  I simply prayed that God would grant her peace of mind on this trip and that the Christians in her everyday life would be a witness to her.  Our flight from Boston to Newark went quickly.  When we landed I saw Sarah get up and walk out, so I said another prayer for her.  I did not see Sarah again.

I have asked myself if I was a good witness to Sarah.  To be honest, I was so struck at the time by having a great conversation with a Muslim lady in a public place.  Sarah knew I was a Christian, but I did not explicitly invite her to know Jesus as her Savior also.  I wish I had more time with Sarah, I wish I knew her husband and their two year old son.

Some sow and some reap.

Amen?