God's Reality Show

I start noticing patterns, when out of 5000 flight attendants based at DFW, I end up flying with the same one multiple times. My Holy Spirit antenna goes up to see what God is broadcasting and I know it’s probably a divine episode on God's heavenly reality show. The angels working away to get us to a moment of connection to do what God wants done in our hearts. It’s usually not one sided. The people I encounter in these divine moments are speaking to me too. I dislike it but sometimes I miss these moments. I’m so preoccupied with myself or I am too weary to pick up on the signal :( but God is good to bring them back around when needed.

There was definitely a pattern with one fellow flight attendant. I went to a training class with her, she commuted home on one of my flights, then I was a passenger on one of her flights. I was the last one on the flight and, with no seats left, I was sitting right next to her pretty face on the jumpseat. I have a fondness like a daughter for her that I can’t explain so it’s probably God’s genuine love for her. I would say her relationship with God is pretty private though and maybe a little “to be determined.” She’s never mentioned it. I know her sibling is in bible school but she’s never mentioned her own faith.

I don’t think I missed any of the previous moments when we had been together to be part of God’s reality show. No, I felt like God was opening her heart to me. She says her mom is self-centered and she was the adult in the relationship so I think slowly but surely she was warming to me more and more.

As she worked her galley and served the passengers, I asked God what these little interactions were about. Did He have something to say to Mariah (not her real name)?

I saw Mariah laying on a beach in a white bikini. Mariah was saying, “Do you see what God gave me? It’s my new bathing suit. I love it! It fits me perfect.”

Okay, STRANGE! First of all, you have to be really really tan to pull off a white bathing suit and she wasn’t from the caribbean ;) It’s also hard to keep a white bathing suit clean on a beach! So, God, what does that mean? I felt like He said, that’s how I see her. She’s pure, white, perfect, spotless. She’s my bride. I’m giving her this new bathing suit. It’s hers. She doesn’t have to do anything to earn it. I’m keeping it clean. No strings attached. ha ;)

I asked if there was anything else He wanted to say. I heard a song that God’s heart and her’s were singing to each other. It’s called “Stay With Me.” The lyrics that came to mind were, “Oh, won't you stay with me? 'Cause you're all I need. I don't want you to leave, will you hold my hand?” I felt like it was her heart cry. She wasn’t fearful or needy saying “Please don’t leave me, God!” No, she was strong making a choice. God, I want you to stay with me.

God was singing back to Mariah those lyrics too: “Stay with me!”

I hope you can feel Gods heart towards this woman in what I write.  He’s so passionate and pleased with her. I know a white bikini and a song by a gay guy may not be how you might think God would speak to her but God will speak to our hearts in the way only we can understand and appreciate. Maybe she’s jump in her car after we talk and that song is playing? We just don’t know.

Mariah may have looked for the love God was offering in men, again, not in a needy way, but, if I choose to let you have my body, then stay with me because another line of the song is “This ain't love, it's clear to see but won’t you stay with me. And deep down I know this never works. But you can lay with me so it doesn't hurt”

One night stands offer a faux love and leave us feeling empty but we aren’t alone at least for that moment. I completely related with her. I would have panic attacks at night and made a lot of bad choices because I was terrified to be alone. It’s been hard to look to Him instead of trying to earn the love of men by being pretty enough.

All these sweet, crazy and powerful thoughts were going through my mind and I didn’t know how to convey what I saw to her. I knew God would create the opportunity so I put it to the side for the moment. After she finished her service, she sat down and we chatted. She shared what was going on in her life. She’s a no nonsense strong girl and so brave. I gave her some advice about confronting a self focused person in her life and a gentle way to do it since she tends to be pretty direct not wanting to put up with women who act like her mom.

I remarked on how God had brought us together several times. I asked permission to share what I felt like I heard from God for her. She consented. She didn’t think I was a weirdo with the bikini thing so that was good! She also confirmed that she felt really lonely in this job. I asked her if I could pray for her. I asked God to be real to her. To hold her as she fell asleep and that she would feel His nearness. That He would indeed stay with her.

Her tears were so profuse that they covered my arms like little rivers. Nothing I said was profound but God’s love is like that. It touches the lonely places of our heart so deeply that our hard hearts are broken into a thousand pieces and all the hurt in our hearts is released to Him. His love gives us a new and pure start, a thousand times over if needed. I love how God loves us and I can’t believe that He lets me be on His heavenly reality show. #itsawildride #neverknowwhatsgoingtohappen

Loaded Questions

“Well, I’m not going to say it’s okay when it’s not okay!  Sometimes “they” are trying to trap you when they ask questions like that.  That’s why I didn’t answer. He asked us a loaded question and the answer is NO, I’m not going to condone sin!”  That was Cheryl (not her real name but she looked a lot like an older but super pretty 80’s model Cheryl Tiegs so I’ll go with it) 

The night before our crew of flight attendants decided to try the local cuisine at a popular restaurant.  Our interesting meals were placed before us with a flourish.   I looked suspiciously at it since my husband told me that the island was overrun with lizards and they tried to sneak it in as a mystery meat to their local dishes.  #thanksforthathubby Probably best to pray…especially for a meal like that ;) 

Cheryl (loaded question lady) was already digging into her meal and Justin (he looked like Justin Bieber) was sipping on his Mojito.  I didn’t know if either one of them were Christians so I asked a little hesitantly, “Would you guys mind if I pray?  If it bothers you then I’ll say mine privately.  It’s really no problem.  I’m sorry if this is putting you on the spot.” 

Justin who has a boyfriend from “New York” said, “Sure. Pray.”  He went on to say that his mom always prayed before meals too. Cheryl, a piece of shrimp hanging out of her mouth, assented with a nod as well.  I prayed some specific things for each of them.  For Justin I prayed that He would see God clearly and for Cheryl that she would feel how special she was to God…that He would comfort her and that God chose her. After the prayer, Cheryl shared she was a former Church of Christ-er and now went to a non-denominational church. And of course I remembered to bless the fresh lizard. #delicacy   

Then came the loaded question from Justin:  “So you say you’re Christians so I’m curious, how do you feel about equality of marriage and all that?” 

Cheryl stayed quiet.  A story came to mind from my past.  I was a brand new baby Christian. I had a meeting with a couple of realtors who were partners in business and in life.  They happened to be the same sex.  On my way to meet them for lunch, I told God (not really expecting an answer) “God, Jennifer really likes both of these ladies but If YOU want me to tell them what they are doing is wrong (speaking of their same sex relationship) then I WILL!” I had my own similar experience like this when I was younger so was I really in a place to talk about wrong or right to anyone? Still I had been reading the bible and it seemed SO CLEAR to me at the time:  wrong versus right. I was fairly surprised when God responded to me:  “Jennifer, this is none of your business.  I didn’t call you to judge.  I called you to love.   If you can’t love these women then at least be kind to them for me.”  

I was confused and thinking maybe the voice in my head wasn't Him...but He made it clear.  Crystal clear in fact…about how He felt about me telling them how wrong they were. God gets pissed when you talk about his kids and I felt that righteous anger in the force of his response.  Like a lion roaring, He was fierce. “Don’t you dare touch my daughters' hearts.  You’ll have to get through me first.”  As a mother, I understood His protective stance.  If I need to deal with my kiddos on something then that is a PRIVATE matter between ME and THEM.   It would be like me spanking someone else’s child without authority.   I would be fighting against God Himself if I proceeded.   

Justin listened intently and didn’t respond to what I said but instead talked about his mom’s battle with cancer and her supernatural testimony of meeting God.  It was powerful.  She was in a room sick from the cancer and a light began shining brighter and brighter on her.  She saw the devil jumping on her back.  She had not been a Christian before that encounter but after that she had given her life completely to God.  She went to church “all the time” now.  He still wasn’t sure about Jesus and, at this point in his life, he wasn’t a Christian.  (I think Justin’s momma has been praying for her sweet boy and God sent me to him to love on him.)  

As the conversation went on Justin shared more about himself.  He talked about a dark period of his life not that long ago.  He had gone to outpatient therapy for alcoholism and “other stuff.”  I could be totally wrong but I got the impression that He had battled deep depression to the point of giving up he was so tired of suffering.  That’s why we have to double check that our  words are from God by at least ASKING God how He feels before we speak! We don’t know the depths of other’s suffering.  God will protect their hurting hearts from people like ME (remember with the realtors).  Only God knows how much Justin has been through.

So when Cheryl was venting to me in the front galley about Justin's loaded question the following morning and explaining her silence, I agreed with her.  It is sometimes wise to be silent. She made an excuse, “Well, you know.  Love the sinner.  Hate the sin.” That pissed me off.  I felt uncomfortable and gossipy talking about Justin when he was in the back of the plane.  I may have answered too strongly in my tone :(  I said, “I’m thankful that God doesn’t see my as a sinner but as His child.  Jesus takes care of sin.  Besides, Justin's “SIN” is really none of our business.  Jesus said, ‘A new commandment I give to you:  love your neighbor as yourself,” right?  How do you want to be treated by others?  I’m assuming gently and with love?”  I reminded her of the woman caught in the act of adultery in the bible.  Jesus stood between her and the rock throwers.  Unless I am willing to suffer for someone or, like Jesus, die for them, then others “sin” is not my concern.  Now, if I love someone:  my kids, my husband, my best friends and I would willingly stand between them and a bunch of rock throwers, then yes, by all means, I will speak to them if I think they are getting off course in their life. I will suffer for those I am in relationship with but I’m sorry.  I don’t love “Justin Bieber” enough to take a bullet for him so his choices are none of my beeswax!”  

We have all been wounded in this life:

After my sharp reply to what Cheryl said she confided in me.  She had been cheated on too many times to count by her husband, a full time pastor.  After many long years of marriage with a newborn baby, he left her for an 18 year old woman. He had met her in the youth ministry and had been sleeping for 2 years.  She had pain associated with other’s “sin.”  Her comment about being unable to condone sin made sense now.  She had allowed her husband’s behavior to go on and was willing to overlook it for the sake of love and to keep her family together. Her husband’s choices had devastated her and destroyed her family (her words) 

I felt such compassion for her. She had love her husband.  She suffered and was willingly to die for her marriage but she was not given a voice or a choice.  The person she was protecting from stones put a knife in her back.  He didn’t give a damn about her or her family and threw them away. 

It’s a very fine line when dealing with other people’s choices that effect me personally and directly though.  Justin hadn't cheated on her or sinned against her though.   She somehow equated Justin’s choices to her husband’s sin but I believe it was fear based and her heart had not healed though it had been 20 years since it happened.  I’m thankful for Justin’s loaded question because I think she gained a new perspective from God…It’s very liberating not to be responsible for other's choices.  It frees us up to love them and see beyond what we think is wrong with them. My prayer for her at the meal was that she would feel comforted.  Even if her husband, threw her away,  God chose her.  She was very special to Him.

Loaded Questions:  

Sometimes discussions about our beliefs are like walking in minefields.  One wrong move and we will be handicapped.  Our words have the ability to destroy or create connection. When we are asked a “loaded question” that we think are big no-no’s then we can spout of and wound, be silent, or touch base with the Holy Spirit and say what He's saying.  A girl asked me last week, “Should I live with my boyfriend?”   I wanted to say it’s not wise!  The guy she is dating is still “in process" for sure.  I asked the Holy Spirit before I went into fearful mommy mode.  He said, "She already knows her answer so keep your opinion about it to yourself."  She texted me this week that she knew it wasn’t a good idea and was making changes to rectify the situation.  He has the greatest wisdom to share and it always surprises me.  This week, take opportunities to ask God what He thinks before you speak.

Home-College

On a long layover in Tulsa so Tanner and I decided to get lunch. Tanner was in his second week of big boy college in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  I wanted to home-college him instead of him being 4 hrs away but that didn't work for him for whatever reason😤...ANYWAY.  It's still a sore subject. I was listening to a podcast on my drive in and the guy on the podcast starts reading psalm 23 "He LEADS me beside still waters..." I look at the road ahead and I see the water tower for Stillwater at that EXACT moment. I love how when we trust God, when we give something up and it hurts, He will confirm that HE is doing the leading. He loves our kids more than we do )if that were possible and I GUESS somehow it is) He led my son literally to Stillwater! Yea, though our children may walk without us even through the valley of the shadow of death, we don't have to fear evil for God is with them. 

Struggling with letting go?  Well, there's always Home-College but in the event that doesn't work out..Ask God to show you He's leading!  #heresyoursign

Waitress in the Sky

In Tulsa last week and my fellow FA and I were debating on whether to stay at the hotel and be lame or get out and go downtown for an adventure.  The “drawstring pants” were definitely calling my name since I had a 3:45 am wake up call that morning and a 3:15 am wake up call the next day but being locked up in a metal tube with savages requires fresh air.  (just kidding! but seriously sometimes….) Our hotel would only take us 5 miles and that wasn’t going to get us to downtown so we had them go 5 miles and then drop us off on the corner for an uber ;) #gottasaveabuckortwo #itsarecession #flightattendantsbepoorfolks

Our uber lady, Connie, pulled up and we hopped in.  Somewhere on the short ride, she threw out the question, “What made you want to become a flight attendant?”    I started to share but my fellow flight attendant answered first.  While she spoke, I thought about whether God wanted me to share my story.  I mean those types of questions are just pleasantries for the most part.  Maybe it’s in the uber handbook to pretend to be interested so you get that 5 star rating?   I was kind of tired of sharing my story because a lot of people ask what made me want to become a flight attendant and the truth is I NEVER wanted to BE a flight attendant (I know that’s hard for those who have always dreamed of doing it).  It was truly an act of obedience to God.  

Three years ago, I was flying with my hubby for an anniversary trip and the flight attendants on that flight were FUSSY.  The flight attendant had just huffed and puffed that I dared asked for iced tea (hey i didn’t know and now I totally understand it’s a pain to make it!) I don’t hear God all the time, I normally have impressions and thoughts that feel like my own but that time I heard God say so clearly “You could change the atmosphere on an airplane because you have me inside of you.”  

I answered “That’s great, God, but I don’t want to be a waitress even if it is in the sky.  Been there. Done that.” #prideful but It became abundantly clear over the next year that is exactly where He wanted me.  Changing the atmosphere on airplanes and allowing His love to touch every person that boards the plane that I’m on.  What would you like to drink?  Oh coffee you say?  Well I'm throwing some Jesus in there too so when I pour a drink, they get a little taste of Him.  When I sit on my jumpseat and I pray (I should say when I remember to) they feel differently.  They get some hope placed like a little jewel in their heart.  Even if I never say the name of Jesus which I rarely do, He’s there…loving, touching, flowing through my hands.  There are so many days that I want to strangle entitled buttfaces and people who need control but can’t control the weather… but I know there are lots of days that I get to see miracles and divine appointments.  

Sometimes when I have shared my story people act like I am a real weirdo and maybe mildy paranoid schizophrenic #hearingvoices I really don’t give a rip what people think but I don’t want to waste my breath so I said, “God, if you want me to share it then she will ask me specifically.”  

Well, she did so I shared and was happy that I did.  Connie said that her pastor had started a new series and she and some ladies were meeting on Wednesday about….wait for it….HEARING THE VOICE of GOD.  She desired to hear Him but didn’t know how.  I asked if I could pray for her so she pulled over (don’t worry she stopped the meter.  I checked :)  I then noticed the small cross dangling from her mirror.  When she turned around to look at me, I saw her eyes and I can always tell in someones eyes if they love Jesus.  There’s a kindness there. It was a sweet moment and my fellow flight attendant who had grown up as a Christian but just wasn’t “buying it” anymore said she wanted to pray with us too.   I prayed for her to hear the voice of God and she prayed for protection over me on my travels which I’m a little bit of a scaredy cat so I was very appreciate. 

Moral of the story:  Your God stories are VALUABLE and life changing.  They carry power and don’t ever “get old.”  Ask God to create an opportunity for you to share your story or encourage you through someone else.

Making Out with a Sandwich and other Holy Spirit Led Adventures

A fellow flight attendant, we’ll call her Holly, and I were on a 3 day trip.  She was one of those fun flight attendants: not a control freak, or mental case and very chill (God love us…it takes a special kind of person to be a flight attendant;)   Her enthusiasm for life and adventure were contagious.  (see my blog on LA.  I had a blast with this chick) 

We were staying at a hotel in the hood and weren’t really interested in hanging outside at the liquor store or buying new tires at the tire store across the street so we ubered it out to downtown Boston.  We were planning on walking the Freedom Trail throughout the city.  The “trail” is marked by a red brick line that runs down the middle of the sidewalk.  If you follow the “red brick road” you can see the lions and tigers or bears.  JK you get to see the great history of Boston…Paul Revere “The British are coming” type stuff.  My fellow flight attendant was a Brit so I wasn’t sure if she was a Paul Revere fan or if she thought he was a “Benedict Arnold” - HA  Come to find out Holly had no clue who Paul Revere even was!

We were dropped off in the middle of the city and were told the red brick road was “close.”  I held my hotel provided map and flipped it around this way and that.  I studied it nodding and hmmmming but not really knowing what I was doing.  See, I am GEOGRAPHICALLY CHALLENGED.   One time, I told everyone I was going to Sweden when I was actually going to Switzerland.  It’s pretty bad. They don’t call me Wrong Way Weiss for nothing ;)   Turns out Holly is directionally impaired as well. #wemadeagreatpair We were trying to find that darn red brick line down the sidewalk that everyone we asked said “Right around the corner. Can’t miss it. It’s red” in their cool but snarky Bostonian accents. 

Instead of red bricks, we found ourselves in some wharf on the water.  I was like “Woah, is Boston on the ocean.  I still don’t know the answer to that question. “This doesn’t look right, does it?”  I said to Holly with the map upside down ;)  Holly said, “Why don’t we let our spirits lead us.”  I made up something about trying to get better at reading maps so I kept the map out like a safety blanket but I was pretty pumped about going with the Holy Spirit flow.  SO MANY DIVINE APPOINTMENTS happened on our few hours there in Boston.  #trusttheSpiritwithinyou

Holy Spirit Food Finders

First, and most importantly, my divine appointment with this breakfast sandwich.  JK but seriously it was awesome and God knows FOOD is my love language.  I was starving and I made out with that sandwich. See it’s already got a bite out of it.  I couldn’t wait to take the picture.  #Christiansarentsupposedtosaythingslikethat #2015longesthashtagawardwinner

Credit Cards

Next, we’re walking down the street and Holly leans over and picks something up off the ground, “I found a credit card.”  Upon further inspection, it was a doctor’s credit card from the UK (that’s basically Great Britain for those of you who don’t know. I didn’t know that until she told me.  I wasn’t kidding about the geographically challenged thing)  Anway, what are the odds of a credit card from the UK being under my British friend’s feet in Boston?  Holly was able to call and leave his assistant a message so he wouldn’t worry while “on holiday” (that’s how the Brits say it) Who knew the Holy Spirit would help a brother or Brit out with his lost credit card?

San Diego (and more food)

We went with our gut (and ate with it) all over that city and we were both usually in sync with the direction we felt led to go. We did locate the elusive red brick road and saw some cool sights.  We were too cheap (saving our $ for food) to actually go into Paul Revere’s House or the Old North church (a lot of the BOSTON Tea Party attendees were members).  It’s the same church where the term “One if by land, two if by sea” was introduced to warn if the British were coming.  One or two lanterns would be carried to the steeple to send the message.  The Holy Spirit is like that in our hearts.  We understand the Holy Spirit’s leading, even if He never says a word, His fire is burning in our hearts.  When we let our Spirits lead, we become aware of the direction He is sending us. We ended up at a local Bostom favorite.  They had just a handful of choices on their menu but the line was out the door and down the block so we HAD to try it.  The food was actually just okay but the divine appointment while waiting in line was splendid.  A dad and his son were in front of us.  They grew up in Boston and were back for a visit but now lived in San Diego.  Holly’s husband was currently IN SAN DIEGO because they were considering moving there.  He was able to give her a lot of details on where to live and where NOT to live based on what they were looking for.   She was being given direction through this divine appointment on her “next move” and what a sweet confirmation that San Diego was where she was being led!

Talking to a Queen

Next on the Holy Spirit’s hit list:  I met a young woman named Maria who was the barista at a coffee shop that Holly and I both felt led to go into.  She was wearing purple and I felt like God said she was royalty like Queen Esther so I told her.  I asked her where she was from and she, in turn, asked me.  She said her friend went to Christ for the Nations in Dallas.  I heard myself saying, “You’ll be there next year!” Wait, where did that come from? Who am I to make that kind of statement and what do I know?  She said, “My friend keeps asking and I want to but my husband isn’t on board.”  I felt like God said that He would take care of that and she wouldn’t have to say a thing!  It was so cool.  I felt God’s boldness in me to make such a statement and deliver this important marriage to give Maria the desires of her heart.

Maria read the blog I wrote and responded to me:  "After we had that brief conversation, I called my husband, I told him what happened. My heart felt so light. 

To make the story short; my pastor had asked me to translate the service. I told him I wasn't ready for that mission. I asked him to give me time to fast and ask God's guidance if that is what He wants from me. And when you compared me with #QueenEster, it came down to me that she (Queen Ester) worked to save her people... with me translating the service the Word of God will be preached to my people and save the lost ones (I believe). And, If God gave me the wisdom to speak 5 languages, its because He has plan with me.

You and I Spoke Friday and Sunday I approached my pastor and told him: "I think I'm ready!!" May the Holy Spirit guide you ALWAYS.

God was using her to deliver her people like Esther! What a sweet confirmation.

You may think “Well, goodie for Jennifer because that stuff never happens for me" but it CAN, if you will throw away what you THINK you know about God and ASK Him at every juncture and turning point what He is saying and doing. Things start to make sense in our life when we begin asking God for directions. Many of us like to know what’s coming so we can avoid pain or making a mistake but the beauty and miracles come when you let go.  Don’t fear.   Your Spirit is reading the map and, if you will let it, it will lead you and guide you into an amazing life and he will surprise you with His love every step of the way.  

Take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into these divine appointments for whatever you need today.  Maybe it’s provision, maybe you need a little kiss from God, or maybe you need direction for a decision or maybe your heart is hurting and you need to be comforted?  Ask Him and then relinquish control to the Holy Spirit and do WHATEVER pops into your head!  #dontthinktoomuchaboutit #letgo #trust #Hewillanswer #somehow #someway

Big Dreams Recipe

Talking to my awesome hair dresser about a recent trip. “I just can’t explain it but I felt the presence of God so strongly while I was there.” She reminded me, “Los Angeles means City of Angels.” Oh yeah!  Duh. It made sense.  God’s presence was surreal.  LA felt like a dreamland to me.  I felt like anything was possible while I was there…like I could dream big and it would happen.

The trip started off really well. I had this super fun flight attendant as part of the crew.  We’ll call her Holly.  She was British and had a really cool accent. I loved Holly instantly and delighted in her. She is a buddhist and I’m a Jesus Lover but we really connected.  We bonded on the things we had in common:   A knowing about the spiritual realm and a love for adventure.   Holly had been back packing all over the world.  She was fearless.  I marveled at all the brave things she had done in her life.

We made plans to go to Manhattan Beach.  Holly’s husband calls her while we are “ubering” to the beach and says he’s driving through LA on his business trip to San Diego.  She sets off with him while I get to do the thing I like most to do on layovers:  Eat…oh and pray.  Pray should probably be first.  #Godsstillworkingonme ;)   I found a cool spot that served brunch where I could eat…er…i mean pray. 

I felt led to pray for my waitress, Stephanie.  I left a note for her about God working things in her favor and defending her. I felt like she might be going through a divorce or break up at the time.  and I sensed she really needed to know how loved she was.  Don’t we all just need a little hope sometime to keep going?   

I “filled my tummy up” as my nephew Gunner says and I headed towards the beach, I called my husband to check in.  “Is it dirty?” he asked. “Oh yes. It is awful…just awful.”  (He doesn’t need to know I’m enjoying all this beauty without him ;) My husband warned me before I left for my trip “Watch out for the gangs in LA.”  Yes, very wise, hubby, because they seem to be targeting white flight attendants in their polyester-wool blend suits as new recruits these days.

I felt like God’s angels were guiding me by the shoulders the entire time I was in LA.  City of Angels indeed! I would stop at a stop sign and feel the need to rest there for a moment.  I would look in each direction and then my feet would start moving unbidden.  I saw the beach and wanted to go stick my toes in sand but felt tugged in a different direction so I stayed on the sidewalk.  

I see another lady and our paths intersect.  If we had continued walking we would have collided into each other but we both stopped.  I’ll call her Diana.  I didn’t know why I chose there to stop (well, it was probably those darn angels) but I stood there trying to look normal.  I was listening, waiting, watching for what I didn’t know.  I felt like I was supposed to talk to her but didn’t know what to say.  This kid started wailing and throwing a bat - $#!+ crazy temper tantrum.  The mother barked, “Stop that whining right now or we are going home.”  She repeated herself a few times but the kid kept wailing and hitting things.  Diana and I both gave each other that knowing “mom” nod as if to say, “Been there.”   Diana started the conversation as we watched on commiserating the mom’s plight, “Stop whining or we’re going home.  That’s a good line I need to use it on my teenage daughter.”  

“It really is!  My son is about to go off to college and I found a great little gem but it was probably a little too late.” 

“What is it?”  

“When he’s disrepectful I say “You don’t get to talk to me that way.”  Stops him in his tracks for some reason.” Pretty genius.  Wish I would have come up with it.

“I’ll have to try that one,” she says as the mother yanks the kids arm and drags him down the sidewalk. 

She had a really cool accent like my flight attendant friend. “Are you from the UK?”

“Uh no.  I’m Australian.”  

“Dang, sorry.” 

We were chit chatting for a bit neither knowing why we were still standing there.  I asked her about her children.  She talked about her teenager Jasmine.  

I said, “I love that name. A flight attendant was showing me a book about flowers yesterday and we talked specifically about Jasmine.” 

She responded, “Funny thing. My much younger husband wants to have a child.  We will name her Violet, another flower name.  I’ve worked for my business for so many years and I’m going to continue but he wants to stay home if we have one.” 

“Wow, cougar” She laughed and didn’t get offended (BTW there are LOTS of cougars in Cali;)   and said she had ovarian cancer, was now healed but couldn’t have any more babies naturally.  They were considering a surrogate.   

I asked her what she did for a living.  “I have a business to help people recover from heroin.”  The name of her business reminded me of the Holy Spirit and I told her so. 

She had not mentioned Jesus or God in this conversation but what she said next was soooo cool.  “The Holy Spirit exactly.  I went away to the rainforest to be healed of ovarian cancer and the Holy Spirit downloaded a method to heal people.  My dad died of a heroin overdose when I was a child and I’ve used this method and it’s healed many and it doesn’t cost $80,000 for a rehab.”  I was freaking out excited by this time!  I love God’s ways of loving people.  We discussed how God had us both “incognito” or “stealth” in our lines of work like an undercover agent since we didn’t “advertise” our Christianity.

I said, “Well, I pray that God brings you Violet right on time and He brings all the ingredients to the recipe together to make her beautifully and wonderfully like a little bun in the oven.”  The prayer seemed prophetic.  God was pulling the ingredients for a recipe together to “make” Violet.  I believed that God would do it for her.  Just like God had given Diana His pure method or recipe to heal and cure heroin addiction, He had a recipe for her daughter.  I don’t know all the details but God does. What I do know is that God brought me to that pinpoint crossroads at that exact moment on that exact day divinely and I was obedient to agree with her. Matthew 18:19 says, “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.”  

We exchanged numbers and have been texting back and forth.  Through our exchange, He was adding an ingredient to her recipe that she was missing and I was blessed to share it with her.

Big Dreams Recipe

2 cups of flour (or flower ;) (God’s word)

1/2 cup of sugar (love)

1/4 cup of butter (faith) 

1/4 tsp cinnamon (fearlessness)

2 eggs (hope) 

We all have big dreams in our heart and we are missing ingredients to our recipe.  I think He divinely connected me with Holly, my amazing Buddhist friend, on my trip to LA!  Yes, someone who doesn’t even believe in Him.  She shared her fearlessness with me and I readily received it! (remember, there are gangs in LA who are initiating flight attendants I might not have left my hotel room without that fearlessness;)  He connected me with the waitress Stephanie.  I think she needed a big helping of HOPE in her life and He led me to agree with Diana.  Will you share the things that you have in your heart with others today and agree with their big dreams?  In doing so, you will find that your own dreams become a reality.  Always be willing to lend your neighbor a little flour/flower or an egg in a pinch ;)  

Surf & Turf Living: Be Generous

Roll up to a cute little coffee shop in my area but instead of getting out, I sit in my car. I scroll through FB. A thought came to me: Why am I in my car wasting gas with a/c blowing full blast in this blasted desert heat when I could be enjoying the free a/c in the coffee shop? ‪#‎flightattendantsbebrokethesedays‬ Still, I just sat there not knowing why. I sent some texts, read emails then all of a sudden, I felt myself turning the car off and getting out. I see a woman who parked beside me getting out of her car and a fleeting thought, “Maybe I was waiting for her?” I kept on walking and was a little miffed to find a long line to order. Should have come in earlier instead of burning gas! I didn’t have any clear conscious thoughts from God but I kept feeling a tug to turn around and talk to her…See, sometimes we are waiting on God’s booming voice to tell us to do something but it’s very rare that I hear His voice loudly…like really rare. I can probably count them on one hand but our Spirit knows and is always leading us gently…So I’m trying to think of a way to strike up a conversation without being a “stranger danger” kind of person. 

I see her hat and it’s got her initials on it. “Cute hat,” I say. 
“Ahhh thanks but do you think the V looks like a J?” 
“Yeah, my names Jennifer so I saw J but I see now that it’s a V” So now we have a connection made but still I don’t have much to say to a stranger. Thinking….hmmm God where are you going with this? “Are you working on anything special today?” 
“I’m a professor at ____ (big college) and I needed to get out of the house to focus.”
What about you?”
“Huh?”
Distracted by her interesting outfit. I look at her. She is totally mismatched: Man’s red, yellow, black plaid winter shirt, pinkish hat, ripped jean shorts, white lace shirt? (that one threw me) you could tell it was probably a rough morning…or maybe that’s just her style but she looked frazzled. 
“What do you do?”
“Oh, me. I’m a flight attendant but I like to write so I’m working on that today.”
We talk about what I’m writing and that leads to me telling her I’m about to take my son to college. She shared she has a 5 and 7 year old. “I caught myself reminiscing on those days with my son. I know they are hard and have challenges but I miss them.” 
She looked at me and said, “I need to remember that. We’ve had a really rough week. We flew your airline. My girls were both sick with a stomach bug and lost their lunch on the plane. I honestly couldn’t wait to get out of the house to get away from it all. Thanks for the reminder that one day I will look back and cherish these days.” 
“Well, you’re welcome.” I ordered my iced green tea and said, “What are you having because I’m buying.” (see there was a reason she needed to be behind me in the line)
“Well, I was going to order a medium Chai Latte but maybe I need to make it a small.” 
“Wow, that’s probably the most expensive thing on the menu.”
I tell the barista: “Give her the lobster and filet mignon. A little surf & turf along with her medium latte.” We both giggled. 
“Thank you,” she says. 
“Consider it from your heavenly Father. He knows what you’re going through and He wanted to give you a little kiss today. It’s all going to be all right and He loves you so much.” 
“You know. I really, really needed this after the week I’ve had.” 

Three Things I learned through that interaction about divine appointments:
1. Timing is Important: He sets up divine appointments for us every day. Be sensitive to His leading today. If we are in a hurry or sleep walking through life we miss our “important to God appointments” What if I had rushed in to focus on my writing…then she wouldn’t be behind me and there would have been a misconnect or what if I was pissed about the wait then I would have been too frustrated to talk to her
2. It doesn’t have to be profound. Just say something….anything…even if it’s lame like “cute hat” to start the conversation. Our fear of rejection can keep us and others from making the connection.
3. Be generous. I’m counting my pennies right now. If I listened to my “never enough” voice I would have been too cheap to “waste” gas or to buy the $3 drink. I planted a seed in her through our connection (she drank the latte/koolaid (haha) so she received the gift from God and who knows how that will play out with her planting seeds in her students! 

I probably miss a few opportunities every day because I’m doing my thang or frustrated with situations. I know God loves me still but when I choose to follow his gentle lead, then I get to be part of the miraculous: God’s love for another. When we let His love flow through us, we experience it for ourselves. Jn 13:34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you MUST love one another. ‪#‎winwin‬‪#‎golovesomebodytoday‬ ‪#‎noexcuses‬ ‪#‎doitafraid‬