“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” –  Psalm 16:8 

On a recent flight to the East Coast, we arrived at the terminal to find that three flights, including ours, had been canceled because of maintenance problems. In the scramble to reschedule, we found ourselves in a line with other harried passengers. We were all attempting to catch a plane that would not delay our trip too drastically. Since we were in vacation mode, our time and itinerary were pretty flexible. In sharp contrast, the lady in front of us was between angry and frantic. She was supposed to be at the White House that evening, and she had already arranged and paid for her Uber ride from Dulles National Airport. We talked a bit and shared the customer service number with her that we had been given. She was able to procure a direct flight on a different airline that would allow her to reach her destination promptly. 

Ten days later, we were heading home. To my surprise, the same lady we had met in line on day one slipped into the window seat beside me. She was quite inebriated, but we both somehow sensed that this second encounter was not a coincidence. She chartered for a couple of hours about the importance of her work, her political leanings, and her faith in God. I tried to gently listen and respond with kindness and truth. 

A few cups of coffee and an hour’s nap helped to turn the tide in her clarity of mind and speech. During the last hour of the flight, we had a deep conversation that changed both of our lives. Lydia, the anonymous name of my new friend, runs a nonprofit organization that advocates for women’s rights, specifically seeking to help young women find avenues of opportunity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields. She speaks nationally and globally, with a variety of public and political figures, to try to change the way humans treat each other. Lydia, I found out, accepted the Lord in her teenage years. She tries to run her business each day by asking, “What would Jesus do?” She struggles with conflict personally, spiritually, and politically, as she works to help people understand her platform. 

As I listened and shared some of my perspectives, Lydia seemed excited about the future. When I asked if I could pray with her, she genuinely received the offer. Our airplane seats became a holy place where we could connect on solid ground while flying thousands of feet in the air. My prayer was simple. I asked for God’s protection and guidance with her family, her business, and her personal life. I asked for God’s blessing over her fresh vision. I thanked God for our providential meeting. We held hands and leaned toward each other as our hearts reached out to our Heavenly Father. 

Lydia wanted to exchange phone numbers so she could contact me for occasional prayers when things were ramping up in her life. I gladly agreed but didn’t really think much would come of it. As we were waiting for our luggage, I introduced Lydia to our traveling companions. She beamed as she proclaimed me as her new prayer partner. My commitment was taking on a new level. She seemed serious about this! 

We have texted several times since that day. I send her a scripture verse or a particularly good quote from a devotional I have read. She responds with how it seems to be just what she needs for that moment. I always think of her when I’m flying somewhere. On a recent trip to Baltimore, I had been praying for her and planned to text her when we landed. When I changed my phone out of airplane mode, a text appeared from her. She was in a crucial place in her annual planning and needed prayer. 

Over the next few weeks, we texted, called, or emailed back and forth. One alarming text from her went something like this: 

Hi Jan, I hope you’re doing well! I have a prayer request… January was a tough month financially as so many of our sponsors and funders are government or education, and we experienced extreme payment delays due to the [government] shutdown. Some people had to pull out entirely for the year. I couldn’t pay myself the last couple of months, and I can’t pay my rent and even groceries. I haven’t experienced this extreme since I was a child. I’m praying for a miracle—donations, ticket sales, anything that will relieve this heavy burden. I work so hard and it’s been a paradox of things finally falling into place, and dreams coming true, as well as me not being able to pay my bills. It will pass to be sure, but today I am in fear and tears, and worried about losing my home. I spent the entire month walking in faith and feeling like God would take care of me. And yet today that faith is shaken because I still see nothing. I asked God tearfully, how much more can I take? I need a prayer circle, and I’m reaching out to those who can pray for me. I don’t want to lose faith. Thank you!

I emailed her back this note: 

First of all, I can’t even imagine how hard it is to see your dreams coming true on the one hand, yet not see the fruit of it (at least financially) on the other hand. I am circling you in prayer right now! 

Second, the word “shaken” is what really stuck out to me, when you said in your text, “… yet today my faith is shaken because I still see nothing.” My mind went to some Psalms. Psalm 16:8 says, “I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is in my right hand, I will not be shaken.” When you consider what being at someone’s right hand meant in Biblical times it had many connotations: 1) being someone’s advocate in court; 2) giving support in battle; 3) being a companion for a journey. My encouragement for you today is that God is your advocate, your support, and your companion on this journey. Keep putting Him in front of you even when you cannot see the results. That’s what faith means. I can tell you still believe that it will come about, you are just in a brief season of doubt and certainly are experiencing need. Having doubts is normal. It’s what we do with it that matters. We can spiral off into despair, or we can use it to strengthen our belief system.