An Airplane, Lack of Faith, A Prayer Warrior, and Folders

Have you ever looked back on an ordinary day and realized that God had been quietly working in every detail? Sometimes the greatest lessons of faith don’t come during life-changing events but through the simple, everyday experiences that remind us how much our Heavenly Father cares. In An Airplane, Lack of Faith, a Prayer Warrior, and Folders, I want to share one of those moments with you. 

What began as a routine trip became a little reminder that God is faithful, even when my own faith wavered, and that He often uses the most unexpected circumstances to strengthen our trust in Him.

An Airplane, A Lack of Faith, A Prayer Warrior, and Folders

Have you ever been in a situation where you lost your faith? I am not talking about anything big, but a lack of faith in small things, everyday things? This happened to me a few years ago. I want to share how the Lord revealed Himself through an airplane, lack of faith, a prayer warrior, and folders.

An Airplane

A few years ago I flew to Georgia for a conference. Jay usually handles all of the details when we travel, and I just go along for the ride. Since I was alone, it all fell to me.

Because I have long legs, I like to try and get an emergency exit row when possible. Besides it hurting my back, I can’t stand being cramped up and squished.

One of the things I had never noticed before was that the seating for the airline we use happened to be first come first serve – no assigned seats. I realized this the morning of the flight. I was scheduled to be in the second group that boarded, so I didn’t think that much about it – until I saw how many people were in the first group, then I got a little worried!

Oh ye of little faith! When I stepped onto the plane, the first row had the middle seat available, with all kinds of leg room! It was probably the best seat on the plane! I have no doubt that the Lord blessed me with that seat.

Normally, I would never put a picture like this out in public! However, I took the picture to send to Jay to show him the blessing, and I am sharing it with you too. I was really amazed at the seat!

A Lack of Faith

Fast forward a few days – to the evening I would be flying home. I received my check-in instructions early that morning, and I noticed that I was in one of the last groups to board the plane. Then I noticed that the flight was completely filled – yikes! My lack of faith kicked in, and I completely forgot about how the Lord took care of me on the way.

I had all day to let my mind think about this, and I even went as far as to click the upgrade button. However, my frugalness kicked in, and I couldn’t do it. All day, my mind went back and forth on upgrading or trusting God.

There is a whole other lesson in staying focused on your circumstances rather than Christ!

A Prayer Warrior

Before I boarded the plane, I texted Jay to pray for me to get a good seat. (This seems so trivial, but the Lord cares about the details of our lives.) A few minutes later he texted back to let me know that our daughter’s family was over and that Chloe led them in a prayer for me. She is our teenage prayer warrior!

I should have known right then that all would be okay! Chloe started praying at a very young age. When she was pretty little, they were looking desperately for a house to buy, but they kept running into dead ends.

One day Chloe suddenly cried out to the Lord that they needed a house. The phone rang about an hour later with someone offering a house to them before it was put on the market! She has been praying ever since!

Little by little, people boarded the plane. I was trying to keep the faith, but it was kind of like the surging sea mentioned in the scripture above. My mind was being driven and tossed by the wind. I even took this picture of the huge line in front of me to send to Jay while I was waiting to board.

As soon as I took it, I deleted it. LOL! I thought taking the picture was an incredibly negative lack of faith thing to do. I went back later and retrieved the picture, just for this post.

Folders

I was one of the very last people to board. As soon as I stepped foot onto the airplane, I saw it – My first row, middle seat that I had on the way to Georgia!!! There was a woman in each of the seats beside it, and folders were spread out on the middle one – plain ol’ pocket folders like you use in school. Of course I asked if it was available, and one of the ladies gathered all of her folders so I could sit.

I honestly think the lady wanted to keep the seat to herself, and the folders were her way of keeping it occupied. However, the Lord used those folders to keep it occupied until I got on the plane. It may just be me because I was there and experienced it, but I was completely and totally amazed!

I don’t know why I was so amazed. If the Lord could use a sling and a stone to take down a giant, what makes me so amazed that He would use folders to save me a seat on an airplane?

Faith Testimony

Again, this is just a simple story about an airplane seat, nothing life shattering. However, it was such a blessing to see the Lord work out this detail and make it very clear that it was Him.

The next time I am wavering, I hope that instead of relying on my own strength, I remember my experience of an airplane, lack of faith, a prayer warrior, and folders. I pray you remember it too.

Faith Songs

Casting Crowns has some of the best lyrics! These are no exception. Listen to their song, “The Voice of Truth.”

Another great song with a wonderful message about faith and prayer is Sweet Hour of Prayer! Read more about this beautiful song and the peace and hope it brings here.

My Favorite Faith Resources

If you are looking for ways to deepen your faith, take a look at these posts:

How to Read Through the Bible: A Simple Plan
How to Choose the Right Bible for Personal Bible Study
Simple Bible Study Ideas for Spiritual Growth
In the War Room

These are some of my favorite Bible study items:

As I look back on that day, I can clearly see God’s hand in every detail. What seemed like a series of unrelated events was actually a beautiful reminder that He was with me all along. He gently revealed my own lack of faith, placed a faithful prayer warrior in my path at just the right time, and even used something as ordinary as a few folders to show that nothing is beyond His care.

How often do we allow worry, fear, or uncertainty to cloud our view of what God is already doing? We pray, yet we sometimes forget to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust that He is faithfully working behind the scenes. The Lord doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we expect, but He is always present, always faithful, and always accomplishing His perfect plan.

If you’re facing a situation today that feels uncertain, be encouraged and do not fear. Ask God to strengthen your faith, then watch for the little reminders of His presence along the way. You may be surprised to discover that He has been working out the details all along. Sometimes the greatest testimonies aren’t found in dramatic miracles but in the simple everyday moments that remind us that we serve a God who sees us, hears us, and cares about every detail of our lives.

Your Turn/Testimony

I’d love to hear from you! Has God ever used an unexpected person or an ordinary circumstance to remind you of His faithfulness? Share your story in the comments. I know it will encourage someone else today.

Related Posts

A Cloud of Faith
In the War Room
Another Opportunity to Believe
Top Travel Tips and Tricks

Until next time,

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“When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalms 94:19