I get the kids buckled in, supply them with snacks and books and then settle into my own seat, novel in hand, scarf wrapped snugly around my neck. I open to chapter ten, intent on finishing the book before the plane touches down in Omaha.
“What are you reading?”
I turn toward the young girl seated to my right. She wears wire-rimmed glasses and grey and pink Nike sneakers. Acne dots her chin and forehead, and her blond curls frizz unruly and unkempt.
“It’s called Drowning Ruth,” I reply, smiling before turning back to the page.
“What’s it about?” she asks, nasal voice monotone and grating.
I sigh.
“It’s fiction, about a girl named Ruth,” I answer, averting eye contact and keeping my gaze on the page.
“Seriously?” I think. “Seriously? This is the way it’s going to be for the next two hours? Crammed next to a pain-in-the-neck chatty pre-teen traveling alone? Give me a break.”
“What chapter are you on? Do you like to read? What kind of books do you like to read? What are your favorite TV shows?”
She peppers me with questions and then, craning forward to peer at the boys across the aisle, she turns her attention to Noah and Rowan.
“What grade are they in? Where do they go to school? Do they like to read, too? What kind of books do they like to read? What’s the name of their teachers? What movies do they like?”
I’m irritated. I give clipped one- or two-word answers and continue to keep my book open on my lap. I turn pages, hoping she will eventually get the message that I am not interested in small talk.
She doesn’t.
It doesn’t take long for me to realize that Rachel has some sort of developmental delay. She asks too many questions, and her voice, the way she forms her words slowly and carefully, isn’t quite up to par for a six grader. She absolutely won’t stop talking.
I glance at the passenger seated diagonally behind me across the aisle. She raises her eyebrows and half-smiles.
Closing my book, I wedge it between my thigh and the armrest.
I admit, it’s not an intentional decision to engage in conversation with Rachel. I don’t want to. I make every attempt not to, even to the point the rudeness. But Rachel doesn’t notice my obvious disdain. She presses on, pointing out a photo of Taylor Swift in the Teen Magazine on her lap, mentioning twice that James Durbin is her favorite American Idol contestant, giggling at a scantily clad Carly and then quickly turning the page.
I surrender. But only because I have to.
By the end of the flight Rachel, the boys, Jeffrey the flight attendant and I are all friends. We’ve talked for nearly two hours about school, the weather, teenage pop stars, the Kardashians, our favorite Delta snacks – Rachel prefers the pretzels, I the spice cookies – Rachel’s Dad in Cincinnati and her mom in Lincoln and her little brother and how much she likes school. As we begin our descent into Omaha it finally occurs to me that I should ask my seatmate some questions as well, to show interest in her the same way she has to me. It’s taken me nearly the entire duration of the flight, but I am finally genuinely engaged.
I think about Rachel long after we wave goodbye to her and her mom at the baggage claim. And I think about her on Sunday morning, when I hear these verses about the blind man from John 9:
They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?” He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and smoothed it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash off the mud.’ I went and washed, and now I can see!’” (John 9:10-11)
And then I say a prayer of thanks to God for seating me next to a girl named Rachel who talked and talked and made me see.
“Staying put and doing the best we can to live in the present moment and being attentive to whatever is before at this moment is what makes listening and responding possible…I cannot be Christ’s hands if I’m not fully there to discern what his hands would do. ‘Let us open our eyes to the divine light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge: ‘If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts.’” (Jane Tomaine, St. Benedict’s Toolbox).
Welcome to the Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday community. If you are here for the first time, feel free to click here for details and instructions on how to link up. Or, if you’re easy-breezy, copy the code for the “Hear It, Use It” button in the sidebar to the right, and simply paste it into your post.
And remember, you don’t need to write exactly about Sunday’s reading or sermon; you can simply write about a verse or even a hymn that you’ve been pondering anytime recently. Also, you can come by anytime during the week to link up — it stays open until Friday.
Oh, how the spiritual transformation in our hearts amazes me. How gently God nudges us! This post brought tears to my eyes. By the end, I was recalling Matthew 25:40.
God divine appointments are just the best!!!
Such a precious story. I bet she is still thinking of you. You gave her a precious gift. 🙂
Our scripture for today was also this story of Jesus healing the blind man from John 9. The story starts with Jesus seeing the man…just as Rachel saw you. She would not overlook you, and in the end you could not overlook her either. I love how you see.
Lyla just finished up a series on that story in John 9. Her posts really made me think and then, here you are, living it out on a Delta flight. I hope I'm getting the message. 🙂
There is nothing more to say than your beautiful, human, transforming post put a lump in my throat… Destiny
I can feel your heart begin to melt … and your eyes open.
Drowning Ruth. I liked that book.
Sometimes I feel like you initially did on the plane, annoyed and bothered and “peppered” with questions when I just want quiet.
Love how you gave in and that you are still thinking of her.
I can completely imagine your family, Rachel, and the flight attendant, all chatty patties. And to know you all became fast friends…your boys saw that. I am sure they saw you be Jesus to Rachel. Precious.
it's so often like that.
thank God.
If I was in charge… not good.
This post made me think of Heb.13:2
“entertaining angels”.
I love this story and wonder how I would respond…I would know it's clearly God and be conversing with her, but would I start strong and end weary or stay strong…God has done so many wonderful things in planes…and I love how real you are about all of it…
trust your time was blessed in MA and love your linky:-)
I love your story, but heart just won't let the quote you posted go…and I'm wondering if I will ever learn to truly live in the present, to let whatever else fade into the background, so that I can focus on what is at hand. Really focus. Really see. With eyes that are not my own.
i love that jesus allowed interruptions….
I'm with Jen: the story is wonderful but it was the quote that caught my breath. How often am I not fully in any moment? And how often do I miss the job He's giving me because of it? I'm glad you heard and responded. Who knows the impact you had on a young girl who probably is mostly overlooked by others.
Great story, Michelle. God often uses these sorts of interruptions to teach me life lessons. 🙂
I came over to participate today, and I have my post all written, but I'm having technical difficulties. 🙁 … I can't get my paragraph breaks to work on Blogger. If I get my technical problem resolved, I'll post later today.
I had started to write that I thought all of us had probably had similar feelings to you at some point, but maybe not. There are those truly patient and kind souls out there who always see the opportunities present. I, however, am not one of those patient, kind souls. I would've wanted to read my book, too.
I'm glad that you followed the God-prompt to engage Rachel in conversation; I'm sure you made her day! And you were a wonderful example of kindness to your sons, too. Thanks for such a cute story! 🙂
Good for you. Each person God puts in our path provides us an opportunity be a blessing. You may never know, this side of eternity, how you blessed this sweet girl, image bearer of God Most High!
“Staying put and doing the best we can to live in the present moment.” Wow, that's a goal. You made me think again, Michelle!
This was such a great reminder to pause in the everyday happenings of life. I'm so quick to rush that I don't always see the needs of others to talk or to connect. Thanks for sharing this – it was an encouragement! (Hope to share next week! 🙂
You're a better woman than I, Michelle. You closed the book and set it aside.
I imagine I'd still be sitting there staring at the page, not reading a word, but trying my hardest not to look up.
Blast, I can be such a heel. You paid attention well.
What a great story…so often I think people are put into our lives as either a test or as a messenger from God to community certain truths. I feel like if it's a test, I fail. Clearly with Rachel though, you received a message and if nothing else, that was pretty powerful.
I've sat by “Rachel” a hundred times, and another hundred, I've BEEN “Rachel.” When we take time to really see each other, it's such a gift. And eventually, we are glad we did. Sometimes it takes a while, though! 🙂
I'm linking up late, but I love coming here and being part of this community. You are a lovely hostess.
That blind man keeps popping up lately. I'm glad Rachel was persistent. Memories for both of you. All of us.
To bless others even with a little bit of our time is something they will carry with them. You were gracious to her and I'm sure she will remember it.
Participating (late) for the first time, Michelle. Thanks for inviting me.
Drowning Ruth. I liked that book.
Sometimes I feel like you initially did on the plane, annoyed and bothered and “peppered” with questions when I just want quiet.
Love how you gave in and that you are still thinking of her.