We were at the airport about to head to Paris.  We were given our seat assignments and I realized I would not be sitting by anyone from our team. I was so upset and angry and I began dreading the flight. I didn’t want to sit by a stranger.

We boarded the plane, I found my seat, got settled in, and the young French man in the seat next to me immediately began talking. He talked about everything under the sun. I learned about about his life, why he was traveling, about his home and about just about everything about him.

And my attitude towards him was so selfish. All I cared about was my comfort so I could enjoy the plane ride. Then, while he was talking, God began to work on my heart. My attitude began to change. God reminded me why I was on that plane in the first place, and pointed out that my talkative neighbor most likely had no idea how much God loves him. He also pointed out that I had about 10 hours to tell him all about Father.

So after Ulysses (his actual name) and I talked for awhile about our lives in general, I asked him if he believed in anything. He said the only thing he believed in was himself.

I told him I believed in God. At first he thought that meant I went to church sometimes and received forgiveness from the Pope. He thought it was just about religion.  So I started talking to him about the relationship I have with God through Jesus. In the midst of explaining what Christ did to make his glory known in the world and save us from the death and judgment we deserve, I pulled out my Bible to show him some verses I had highlighted in Romans.

Ulysses was shocked. He didn’t know anyone my age that cared enough about God to read the Bible or talk to Him. He thought it was just something people said they believed in because they were scared of dying. I was able to share so much about God’s love and the relationship He offers us, and God’s character. It ended up being absolute blessing to sit by Ulysses, and I was so blessed Father chose to use me even when I wasn’t open and ready to share the gospel at first.