This afternoon I left the office to catch a 5:30 flight to Chicago. Travel being what it is today things did not go as scheduled. Having been at the airport since about 4 p.m. my flight finally left for Chicago about 8 p.m. I was scheduled to have dinner with a friend at 8 p.m. in Chicago, so I obviously missed that opportunity. But I really believe there was another appointment that God had for me.

As I took my seat in 6A and we were about ready to take off, I looked across the aisle to the young woman who was seated in 6B. Tears were streaming from her eyes. I leaned across the aisle and asked her if she was alright, which she obviously was not. She wiped her tears and told me she was flying home to be with her family. Her father had died two days ago. She explained how their family had found out on Valentine’s Day that he had cancer and the doctors thought he would live for about a year. That was not the case, and this young woman seated in 6B was seated in the dimly lit cabin, all alone, mourning her father’s death.

I assured her of God’s love for her family and assured her of my prayer support over the next few days. I shared the promises of the Psalmist when he said, “the Lord is close to the broken-hearted and rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” She said she was going to remember to share that with her older sister who was picking her up at the airport for the drive to their home.

As we landed I asked if it would be alright to pray together before we left the plane. She was more than willing and thanked me repeatedly for offering some comfort.

As it turns out her flight was originally scheduled for 8:10 p.m., but it was canceled before she ever got to the airport and no one let her know. Our delayed 5:30 flight which did not leave until 8 was her only opportunity to get to her family tonight. I am so glad that we were delayed. I am so glad that her grief was not multiplied even more by a canceled flight. I am thankful that she is with her mom and sisters tonight, together, as it should be. I am so thankful to have been seated across the aisle in 6A. Would you join me and pray for Liz, the woman in 6B. She needs the grace that only our God can provide.