Open Seating...A First for Me

Yesterday, I flew Southwest Airlines for the first time. Usually, I fly other airlines, but this was the first time I have ever used the open seating option.

Lining up was an experience in itself! I was one of the last people on the plane. I like window seats, so I found a window seat near the rear of the plane. Sitting down next to me was a business man. I said hello and he said hi. I opened up the book I was reading and I heard a mother and son talking in the aisle. It was the first time this young boy flew since he was very young. He was nervous and his mom was hoping to have two seats where they could sit together. The man next to me got up and said, "You can sit here." The little boy sat next to me and the mom sat on the aisle seat. Upon take-off, I asked him if this was his first time flying. He said yes. I asked him if he was from Pittsburgh and he said yes again. I then said, "Oh, so am I. What town do you live in?" He did not know. His mom said, "Whitehall." I smiled and said, "Wow, so am I!" I few more minutes passed in conversation and I said, "I'm a pastor, at Baldwin Community United Methodist Church, across from Caste Village." The mom smiled and said, "That's where my son went to preschool!" Again we smiled at just how small of a world this really is. The mom began to ask me if I knew some of the teachers. When she came to one teacher, I said, "The teacher you are talking about is at my house right now, babysitting our kids!" The mom then laughed because her daughter is dating our babysitter's son! Way too small of a world! Following about a 45 minutes conversation with the mom and her son from PSP's, Steeler Training Camp and even Alternative Worship, she said she might just come to church and check us out! I gave her the times of worship and said we would love to have them come.

I am thankful that the Spirit of God was at work with the "open seating" on Southwest! Thank God the business man got up and the mother and son sat down with me and we were able to talk church! God is good! All the time!