Dear Woman in Seat 25B,

You might not remember me, but I remember you. I’m sorry I don’t remember your name, but your story has left a permanent mark on my life.

And I never got to say ‘Thank You.’

You see, I’m not much of an outgoing, talk-to-strangers kind of guy. When I get on a four hour plane ride, I come equipped with books, movies and music to keep me distracted for the flight. The last thing I was planning for on that December plane ride was to meet someone who would minister to my heart so directly and intently. After all, I’m the one studying in seminary - if anyone is going to do the ministering, it would be me right?

But there you were reading your Bible in the seat next to me, calmly and confidently. I believe you were in the Gospel of Matthew - well marked and worn, I could tell this wasn’t your first time pouring over these Scriptures. How delighted I was to be sitting next to a sister in the Lord! I was instantly excited that an opportunity presented itself to talk about Jesus and the Scriptures you were reading.

Not really knowing how to strike up a conversation, I nervously said to you, “I see you’re reading from your Bible. Hi, my names Ben.”

Your response knocked me off my feet.

“Hi Ben. How did you come to know Jesus?”

Wow! What do I say to a fellow Christian who I just met asking me that so directly? I nervously and briefly responded to you about my journey and how Christ rescued me and gave himself to me. Since you were older than I and so confident in your faith, I assumed that you were probably born and raised a Christian and had always been one. At least, that’s what I was expecting when I turned the same question on you.

Man, was I wrong.

Instead, you shocked me with a testimony unlike any I’d ever heard. I remember sitting there and listening to the amazing story of how God had rescued you from your previous life, a life in a long-term (8 or 9 years if I remember correctly) and committed lesbian relationship. A life where you were bitter towards God and the church, and instead lived a life of LGBT activism, comfortable in your relationship and your life. You and your partner had great jobs and a house together.

But then something happened. For the first time you truly heard the Gospel and the life Christ called you to of repentance and radical obedience. And for the first time, that is what you truly desired above all things.

Change started slowly. First you tried to sleep in a different room than your partner, hoping that would settle the conviction stirring inside you. Then you started going to church - which made your partner quite nervous. You couldn’t shake what was pulling on your heart. Soon, the desires to gain all of Christ and live unto him overtook your life. You left your relationship, your job, and your home - your life as you knew it - and moved many states away to get in touch with an old Christian friend who could pour into your thirsty soul.

Now your life is marked by serving Christ and building his church, specifically by encouraging and supporting overseas missionaries and agencies. You want nothing more than to see other people come to experience the same sweetness and beauty that you have tasted and seen.

But your mark on my life didn’t stop there, because then you quietly and joyfully started praying for my wife and I. You prayed that we would love each other and cherish each other; you prayed for our future children and that they would be brought up to know and serve Christ; and you prayed for our future ministry as we sought to honor Him in all that we do. Your prayers are more precious to me than anything I could ever own.

Your testimony and life change reminds me of the Parable of the Hidden Treasure from Matthew 13:44 - maybe that is what you were reading! Once you understood the sweetness and life that was found in gaining Christ, you knew you had to give everything you had for him. This wasn’t something that was forced, nobody told you what you needed to do. You just knew, and you obeyed.

I wish I could’ve adequately said ‘Thank You’ for the passion, conviction and encouragement your testimony gave me. But I was honestly at a loss for words. See, my biggest struggles are just being prideful and greedy with my time and money. For me, sacrifice is knowing when I need to let go of my desires and instead give to others.

But you, you literally forsook everything to gain Christ so that you may someday be found in him. You sold all you had to gain the treasures of the field. Amazing.

You are an example of a true disciple, a true Christ follower, and a true daughter of God. I am honored to have met you, I am encouraged by your story, and I will never forget it.

So, woman from seat 25B, I thank you and I thank God for you. If you ever read this, pray for me that God would give me a strong faith like yours.

-Ben