in the grand scheme of things...

This Thanksgiving was so great and relaxing at home with my family! We did miss Jack and Jenny, but knowing that they are doing well is all we needed to know.  I left DC around 9:30pm on Wednesday night on a plane to Rochester. I knew that this plane ride was not going to be normal as soon as I heard the words: "Can I sit here?".  As everyone knows, seats are assigned on the plane in which case my response was "sure...but I think you need a ticket".  The guy looked at me and said "Oh, I have a ticket I was just asking you if you would mind me sitting next to you" to which I responded "you're welcome to it".  Interesting start to a flight.  I had already been on the plane for a little while and had put my book, water bottle, and Ipod in the seat back in front of me ready for take off.  John, the guy sitting next to me, was paged on system because he was transferring from Tampa and his plane got there late.  We made the normal small talk: "Why are you going to Rochester?" "Where did you go to school", etc and then John asked me what I do in DC and I knew the answer to that question would start a conversation.  I explained the protege program to him and told him about NCC and Ebenezers.  He sort of turned his head and smirked a little bit and then he let out his feelings about a church owning a coffeehouse and how everyone has a right to believe what they want, but with so much knowledge it's foolish to say you believe in a 'story'.  

John and I discussed many issues from creationism vs. evolution and the Big Bang Theory to why good people go to hell and why there's evil in this world; from other religions to why God created man.  I could go on, but we touched on everything...we even talked about how he feels one can never know the truth completely because we're always learning new things. It was a great conversation and I know it was one of those divine appointments. He asked me at one point how people learn about "the truth" if they don't grow up in a family that believes and looking back our conversation was an answer to his own question...moments of complete honesty with complete strangers.  

After we landed we said our goodbyes and I started walking towards the gate to see my parents.  Another guy came running next to me and told me that he overheard my conversation, he encouraged me and told me that he enjoyed listening. Then he handed me a small piece of paper with his favorite books that helped him approach conversations like that in a different way.  How cool! Already I had a great trip home and then I started walking really fast because I knew my family was waiting and I couldn't wait to hug them.  

When I got home I realized that I left my Ipod on the seat back in front of me on the plane.  WONDERFUL! I called the airport and we went the next day to check baggage claim, but nothing was turned in.  The man basically told us that those things don't usually turn up.  I was sad, but then my parents reminded me that the excitement and adrenalin I was feeling after that plane ride had my mind other places and in the grand scheme of things, it's small price to pay for the conversation I had with John. My dad called it "collateral damage for the Kingdom".  I hope someone who really wants a pink Ipod gets one because I left mine behind...sure it has my name and favorite Bible verse engraved on it, but maybe it will find itself in the hands of a different Erin. That would be cool!

Sure, there were moments of sadness and I felt like an idiot for leaving my Ipod on the plane, but I know God works out all things for good for those that love Him.  I am so thankful for that plane ride and now I know I will NEVER forget it.  My aunt told me not to talk to any more cute boys on the plane.  When I told her it wasn't that he was cute she told me that he had to be cute if I left my Ipod behind...so I took her advice and just read my book on the way back to DC and I didn't leave anything on the plane.